Actress Hong Anh recently took on the role of Madame Sac, a nightclub owner in 1960s Saigon, for the film "Mesdames Thanh Sac". During this period, she discussed her marriage, health challenges as she approaches 50, and her husband's unwavering support in her life.

Explaining her decision to portray the villainous Madame Sac, Hong Anh noted that this wasn't her first time in such a role. She previously played a smuggling boss in the film "Tai", directed by Mai Tai Phen, though that appearance was brief. For an actress in her late 40s, finding a character as compelling as Madame Sac is rare. This motivated her to fully commit to the role, aiming to explore new dimensions in her acting, moving beyond the downtrodden characters she often played.

Her husband played a significant role in her decision. After receiving the invitation, he read the script and encouraged her to accept, viewing it as a missing color in her career. He urged her to experiment, assuring her that even if it led to failure, she would at least learn how to improve.

_Vo chong dien vien Hong Anh va doanh nhan - nha phe binh van hoc Nguyen Thanh Son. Anh: Nhan vat cung cap_

Nguyen Thanh Son provides invaluable support to Hong Anh in her work, acting as a "living archive" of information. For every project, she seeks his input. He often offers a broad perspective rather than delving into specific technical details. For "Mesdames Thanh Sac", he provided detailed explanations about the historical context of Southern Vietnam, including the social and political changes from 1954 until before 1975, especially pertinent given the film's many scenes recreating Saigon nightlife. While Hong Anh could research online or use ChatGPT, having her husband filter and summarize information saved her considerable time.

Their relationship has evolved beyond the initial infatuation of young love; they now consider each other soulmates and best friends. They share everything openly, without fear of judgment. Both enjoy discussing literature, art, and cinema, often debating roles in films they've seen or events they've attended, typically sharing similar views on cultural and artistic appreciation. In their daily life, Thanh Son excels at managing his emotions, often choosing silence during heated moments to allow anger to subside before discussing issues. Each morning, between 5 and 6 a.m., Hong Anh and her husband take turns walking their six pets for about 15 minutes each, then share conversations and read the newspaper together. Afterward, they have lunch with Thanh Son's children before returning home for their individual work and schedules.

The couple dedicates their full love to Thanh Son's children. They are always the first to know about important events and decisions concerning the children, such as career aspirations. Though acquaintances sometimes ask when they will have children of their own, Hong Anh no longer dwells on it, finding their life complete. She believes happiness comes in many forms, and her current joy stems from watching the children grow, seeing her acting roles well-received, and perhaps becoming a grandmother in a few years.

_Vo chong Hong Anh cung con trai (trai), con dau (phai) va mot nguoi ban o buoi cong chieu phim "Mesdames Thanh Sac" tai TP HCM, hom 16/6. Anh: Nhan vat cung cap_

Hong Anh also recounted a recent health scare. Several years ago, she was diagnosed with a thyroid tumor, fortunately detected early enough for timely treatment. Initially, she experienced rapid weight loss despite eating a lot, along with insomnia, voice loss, and shortness of breath. As a stage actress, she initially attributed these symptoms to vocal cord issues or weather changes, but medical examinations revealed no improvement. In late 2024, for the first time in decades of her career, she had to abruptly cancel two performances of the play "Duoi bong giai nhan" due to her deteriorating health.

During her treatment, her husband remained by her side, contacting doctors and even taking her abroad for specialized screenings to pinpoint the cause of her illness. Her initial reaction to the diagnosis was confusion, especially as someone prone to worry. She questioned whether she would have to retire early, given her promising projects and roles. Once the initial anxiety subsided, she chose to confront the situation and seek solutions. Guided by specialists, her health significantly improved and is no longer affected. She now undergoes tests every three months to ensure her body's indicators remain stable. This health crisis brought a deeper awareness of women's health in middle age. While she had always been proactive about general check-ups, the intensity of her work led her to become complacent, ignoring subtle warnings from within. She resolved to prioritize her well-being even more as a testament to her passion for her profession.

_Vo chong Hong Anh ben thu cung. Anh: Nhan vat cung cap_

After three decades in the industry, Hong Anh's criteria for selecting roles remain flexible. She sometimes accepts smaller roles to support a debut director, explore an unfamiliar character, or because she believes in a strong script. Other times, she simply joins a project out of admiration for the team. Her sole ambition as an actress is to continue performing until she is 90 years old.

_Hong Anh noi ve hau truong dien canh vat lon voi Thanh Hang. Video: Mai Nhat_

Born in 1977, Hong Anh is a prominent actress in Vietnamese cinema. Following "Nguoi dep Tay Do" (1996), she earned critical acclaim for roles in films such as "Doi cat", "Thung lung hoang vang", "Nguoi dan ba mong du", and "Trang noi day gieng". She also pursues her passion for theater, collaborating for many years with the Hoang Thai Thanh and Idecaf stages. In 2009, she married businessman and literary critic Nguyen Thanh Son.

In 2017, she achieved success as a director with "Dao cua dan ngu cu". In 2020, "Tiec trang mau"—a film starring Hong Anh alongside Kieu Minh Tuan and Thai Hoa—grossed 175 billion VND, placing it among the top 5 highest-earning Vietnamese films at the time. In March, she appeared in a villainous role in the film "Tai", produced by My Tam and directed by Mai Tai Phen.

Mai Nhat