Actress Van Dung speaks out about rumors of marrying a rich man

Not afraid of playing the villain or having a bad reputation

- The role of Miss Van in 'May 11' is receiving attention and love from the audience. In particular, the character's views and philosophy on love quickly became a hot topic and is loved by young people. How do you receive this?

I am very happy and extremely surprised by the audience's reception of the film.11 months 5 days,especially the young people. I read the audience's comments and found them so cute and funny. Everyone asked: "Miss Van, do you still have a room for rent for me?", "The kind landlady, your pho is so delicious" and many other humorous sayings from them, after reading it, I felt happy and touched.

- What did the son say and how did he react to his mother's trending lines in the movie?

The first thing he said to me was:Mom, what's the trend these days?and very excited. Because up until now my son always thought I was not good at technology and it was true. Now every morning when he wakes up, Nhim often says:Miss Van, what do you want to eat today?

- When you received the script, what was your feeling about Mrs. Van? At first, you did not dare to accept this role. Was it because the character had some difficult points for you or was it because of the pressure to overcome the great effect of the role of Diem Loan in 'Sunflower Against the Sun'?

I never compare myself to my roles. Each character has a different situation and fate. At first, when I received the script, I was very confused about how to act and where to start. I refused, but then with the encouragement of the director and my friends in the production team, I confidently accepted. My impression of Mrs. Van is that she is a kind woman, lives simply and always knows how to share and love with everyone, but her life is also full of storms and tragedies.

- Most of your recent TV roles are of a "third party" mother, a womanizer, a money-grubbing mother, or a single mother supporting her son's pregnancy alone. Aren't you afraid that negative rumors from your roles will affect you and especially your son who is also in love?

Why should I be afraid? The role is the character and I am Van Dung! If I were afraid of such gossip, who would dare to play the villain anymore? In a movie, there must always be a protagonist and a villain for the movie to be dramatic and engaging. I know it is a disadvantage, but because of my job and passion, I still do it.

Van Dung and Luong Thanh in a scene that brought tears to the audience.

Thanh Son and Kha Ngan are a beautiful couple.

- Can you share any experiences or behind-the-scenes stories while filming "May 11th" that could only happen during the pandemic?

We had to take many days off because there was no set to film due to the pandemic, because the actors were sick and I myself lost my voice. Only when we go to work on a film can we see how hard it is, I feel sorry for the directors, production staff and technicians, they still have to work in the rain and eat lunch boxes on the sidewalk, I feel so sorry for them.

Behind the scenes, there was a scene that I will always remember, both funny and sad. It was the scene where I had to slap the character Dung in the movie. At that time, I thought that the movie had many slapping scenes and I decided to change my conflict scene into a different style. I gently whispered to my friend Tien Loc:Honey, every time I act out a slapping scene, I'm afraid my co-star will be hurt. Because if I really slap him, I'll feel so bad, but a fake slap doesn't look real, and I'm very weak and often faint, so I can't slap him hard. Let me act in a different way so that you won't be hurt and it will be gentler.After listening, he enthusiastically supported my opinion.

When the director shouted "Start", I jumped up and threw my co-star into a tree and beat him up enthusiastically. After that, I almost couldn't breathe and collapsed. The whole crew and co-star were wide-eyed, not understanding why I was so strong, then burst out laughing. Tien Loc said with a tearful face:Sister! If there is a next time you act like this, just slap me. I'm not afraid of pain. It's better than being kicked like this and dying.(laugh)

Van Dung with the young cast in the movie 'May 11th'

- In the recent program 'Weekend Appointment', actors Kha Ngan and Thanh Son both shared their impressions and feelings when acting with Van Dung. The first collaboration between the two actors also received love, the audience and colleagues actively 'shipped' them from the movie to real life. What do you think about this couple?

I was quite surprised to see Thanh Son and Kha Ngan, who were paired together for the first time in a Northerner-Southerner role, act so well together, from their eyes to their gestures, they were all very genuine and adorable. Backstage, when we had a break to eat, I saw the two of them joking around wittily and caring for each other. They are such a beautiful couple!

- What do the youth of Thuc Anh, Tue Nhi and Van Dung have in common?

Our youth were not the same at all. My family was not as well-off and pampered as Tue Nhi. Thuc Anh was gentle and docile, but I was completely different: very individualistic and mischievous. Wherever I went, I was the center of my friends' fun. My youth was much harder and more miserable than theirs, but also full of laughter and happiness.

Van Dung reunites with Meritorious Artist Quang Thang in the movie.

- Your tragic, tearful roles all leave an impression. Is it because Van Dung's life in real life is very happy and complete, so she wholeheartedly devotes herself to the storms and hardships of the character on film. Or do you also have your own worries and hidden tears, so you can easily sympathize with fates and sadness?

I never bring my own sadness into the characters in the movie, because my life and personality are very different from the characters in the movie. Just because I live fully with the emotions of each character, tears will fall. Happiness to me is very simple, just doing what I like, that's all!

Ugly like me can marry a rich man?

- Your son also has a passion for art, witnessing the hardships and dark corners behind the glamour of entertainment, what advice do you have for him?

I confided in my child that:If you are passionate about this job, you cannot give it up. If you like it, you must do it with all your heart. If you only like it a little, don't pursue it because it will be very hard and miserable.

- The Covid-19 epidemic has affected the lives and incomes of artists, causing many difficulties. What about you personally?

I am not out of that cycle either, work and everything is affected. But the most important thing is still health and now I just hope peace comes to my family and everyone.

Van Dung is youthful at the age of 46.

- At the age of 46, the audience still sees Van Dung sharing youthful, sexy, stylish images and a luxurious living space. Is there any information that she married a rich man?

Oh my god, someone as ugly as me can marry a rich man? My family is just as normal as everyone else. When I take pictures, I look a little fancy, a little pretty, but otherwise I’m normal. I’ve been independent since I was little, I’ve grown up and now I still only have two hands. To me, life has to be full of energy and positivity, that’s how I enjoy it.

- How do you think and accept your current life? Are there any choices you have regretted?

For me now, living slowly, peacefully and healthily is all that is needed in life. I have never regretted the choices I have made. My childhood dream was to become an actor and I have achieved it. I have performed both comedy and tragedy. My career in the past 30 years is quite a lot. That is enough for me to feel the happiness that life has brought me.