Recreating the heroic deeds of security forces in "Operation CM12"
The People's Public Security Film Studio has begun filming the television series "Operation CM12," depicting the arduous and silent achievements of the security forces during the years 1981-1984.
The film is based on the true story of a case in which the Vietnamese police force fought against spies, commandos, and exiled reactionary organizations, especially the reactionary organization "United Front of Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Vietnam" led by Le Quoc Tuy and Mai Van Hanh.
"Plan CM12," implemented over a period of three years (from September 1981 to September 1984), was a sophisticated counter-intelligence operation that concluded successfully, demonstrating the courage and intelligence of the Vietnamese People's Public Security forces.
The CM12 special operation was under the close direction of the late Minister of the Interior (now the Ministry of Public Security) Pham Hung. Those who played key roles in directing and commanding the CM12 plan were: Deputy Minister of the Interior Cao Dang Chiem, and Nguyen Phuoc Tan (also known as Hai Tan, Deputy Director of Political Protection Department 2, later Deputy Director General of the General Department of Security).
One of the key figures in the success of "Operation CM12" was Comrade Tran Phuong The (also known as Hai The or Tam Tham, then Head of the Anti-Espionage Department of the Minh Hai Provincial Police, later Deputy Director of the Ca Mau Provincial Police). To infiltrate enemy territory, Comrade Hai The grew his beard and hair long to completely change his appearance, and adopted the new name Hai Tai. Because of his bushy beard, everyone called him "Hai the Bearded".
Comrade Ho Viet Lam (nicknamed Muoi Lam, then Deputy Head of the Tran Van Thoi District Police; later Major General - Director of the Ca Mau Provincial Police and Director of the Southwestern Security Department), also managed to "penetrate" the enemy's ranks, gaining their trust, leading to 17 instances of directly receiving and escorting 147 spies and commandos into our ambush positions.
In addition, many other police officers infiltrated the enemy's headquarters for a long period of time to carry out their activities. At the conclusion of the operation, we intercepted a total of 18 infiltration attempts, apprehended 189 spies and commandos, including the ringleader Mai Van Hanh, confiscated 3,679 firearms of various types, 90 tons of ammunition, 1.2 tons of explosives, 14 tons of counterfeit Vietnamese currency, numerous radios and other sabotage equipment... For this achievement, three comrades, including Tran Phuong The and Ho Viet Lam, along with two collectives, were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State.
In the television series "CM12 Plan," the role of Hai Tan was entrusted to actor Huynh Phuoc An, while the role of Hai The (Hai Rau) was played by actor Ngo Thanh Ta.
In addition, actor Linh Trung plays the role of Minister of Interior Pham Hung, and actor Quoc Tan plays the role of Deputy Minister Cao Minh Chanh (based on Deputy Minister Cao Dang Chiem).
The two main villains are the reactionary figures Le Quoc Tuy and Mai Van Hanh, played by actors Huy Khanh and Duong Hoang Anh. To portray Hai The and Le Quoc Tuy, both actors Ngo Thanh Ta and Huy Khanh grew mustaches to achieve a look very similar to the characters, which directors and experts praised as "indistinguishable from the originals."
The film also features actors Tran Minh Dang, Thuy Hoa, Ho Quang Man, Hoai Bao, Lam Thanh Son, Giang Le, and others.
The film "CM12 Plan" was produced by an experienced team, with two co-directors, Tran Duy Linh and Pham Trung Hieu. The Director of Photography (DOP) for "CM12 Plan" is Nguyen Hong Son.
The film features many thrilling action and fight scenes, performed by Ho Thien Hieu's stunt team, who have participated in many famous films such as "The Quiet American" and "Heroic Bloodline". The set design for the film is by artist Nguyen Van Dung, and the costume design for the actors is by Le Ngoc Han, both experienced artists who have participated in historical films.
Filming for the movie began on May 2nd, with the first scenes being shot. The film utilizes many historical locations, such as the Southern headquarters of the Ministry of Public Security, the Ong Doc estuary, and Da Bac Island (Ca Mau), with a large quantity of weapons and props accurately reflecting the reality of the 1980s.
Major historical sites such as the Cay Dua Prison Camp (Ca Mau province), refugee camps and departure ports of reactionary forces in Thailand, and secret bases of reactionary forces in Thailand have also been authentically recreated right here in Ho Chi Minh City.
The television drama script for "CM12 Plan" was written by director Tran Duy Linh and screenwriter Dinh Hoang Ngoc Khanh. The content is inspired by the memoir "CM12 – Behind the Counter-Intelligence Plan" by Major General Nguyen Khac Duc, former Director of the Technical and Operational Department 1, General Department of Security, Ministry of Public Security. The book, first published in 2020, was reprinted by the People's Public Security Publishing House in February 2026 and is being enthusiastically received by readers.
The film was produced by the People's Public Security Film Studio (People's Public Security Communications Department, Ministry of Public Security), with the support of the Vietnam Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (Agribank).
According to the plan, post-production will be completed in the fourth quarter of this year, and the film will be broadcast to viewers on ANTV television channel, local stations, and OTT platforms.
