In a series of photos taken by photographer Tang Tang, Ngo Thanh Van wears a classic European-style gown. The actress shared that the photoshoot's concept was inspired by her character, Quynh, in "The Old Guard 2", currently streaming on Netflix. Quynh is an immortal warrior with the superpower of self-healing, having lived for thousands of years.

Ngo Thanh Van in her maternity photoshoot. Photo: *Tang Tang*

Ngo Thanh Van recently celebrated two milestones: the release of her passion project, "The Old Guard 2", and her first pregnancy. "I'm grateful to the universe for letting me experience this joy, and to my husband, Huy Tran, for always being by my side," she said.

The journey to parenthood was challenging for the actress, but it also strengthened her bond with Huy Tran. During their three years of marriage, they explored various fertility treatments without success. Ngo Thanh Van faced emotional distress, societal pressure, and anxieties about her age. At times, she felt a sense of helplessness and loss of control. The couple finally received the good news around Christmas 2024, after undergoing IVF.

Ngo Thanh Van and Huy Tran celebrating Father's Day (the third Sunday of June). Photo: *Tang Tang*

"The Old Guard 2" continues the story of the immortal warriors, led by Andy (Charlize Theron), as they protect the world from a global crisis. The film focuses on the return of Quynh (Ngo Thanh Van), who was imprisoned at the bottom of the sea for centuries. She escapes, seeking revenge for what she perceives as betrayal and abandonment.

"The Old Guard" is a Netflix fantasy action series based on the comic book series of the same name by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez. The first film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, was released in 2020. In the original comic, Ngo Thanh Van's character was Japanese, named Noriko. However, upon accepting the role, she requested to change it to a Vietnamese name, which the production team approved.

Ngo Thanh Van, 46, is an actress, film producer, director, and entrepreneur. She earned the nickname "da nu" (female action star) after the success of the film "Dong Mau Anh Hung" (The Rebel) (2007), co-starring Johnny Tri Nguyen. In the 2010s, she transitioned into film production, with works such as "Tam Cam: Chuyen Chua Ke", "Co Ba Sai Gon", and "Song Lang". Her 2019 film "Hai Phuong", which she produced and starred in, grossed over 200 billion VND and was Vietnam's official entry for "Best International Feature Film" at the Oscars in 2022.

Ngo Thanh Van and Huy Tran, who is 11 years her junior, married in Da Nang in 5/2022 after two years of dating.

Mai Nhat