The film won multiple awards at the 12th Vietnam Film Festival in 1999, including the Silver Lotus, Best Director (Dang Nhat Minh), Best Cinematography (Vu Quoc Tuan), Best Art Direction (Pham Quoc Trung), and Best Music (Do Hong Quan). Video: Hanoi Radio - Television Station

Ngo Quang Hai, 58, hails from Hai Phong. He is known for his roles in "Cyclo" and "The Quiet American," and for directing "Pao's Story" (2006), "Cold Summer" (2012), and "HIT: The Prince & The Cinderella" (2013). In recent years, he has taken a break from acting to focus on family life with his wife, Diep Hong Dao, who is 25 years younger. They married in 2013 and have two sons. Photo: Provided by the subject

Director Dang Nhat Minh was 58 when he made the film. He said the idea came from his reflections after researching wartime documents. He also dedicated the film to his father, Dr. Dang Van Ngu, who returned from Japan in 1949 to join the resistance. Dr. Ngu successfully researched the production of penicillin and streptomycin, contributing significantly to the treatment of bacterial infections.

Now 87, the director has been honored with numerous domestic and international awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Asian Cinema at the 2005 Gwangju International Film Festival and the 2013 Kim Daejung Peace Film Award. He was awarded the title of People's Artist in 1993 and received the first-class Labor Order in 1998. In 2007, he received the Ho Chi Minh Award for his films "Town in Sight," "When the Tenth Month Comes," "Hanoi winter 1946," and "Guava Season." He also served as the president of the Vietnam Cinema Association. Photo: Phuong Uyen

Mai Thu Huyen plays Hue, a character inspired by To Ngoc Van's painting "Young Girl with Lilies." Hue encounters artist Han (played by Quoc Tuan) on the street and is invited to his studio, where he creates her iconic portrait. Photo: Provided by the subject

Artist Tien Hoi portrayed President Ho Chi Minh at age 56 in the film. He brought a sense of familiarity and ordinariness to the role while still capturing the leader's demeanor during a critical historical moment.

Tien Hoi's performance focused on his eyes, gait, voice, and portrayal of the character's psychological depth. Through each line and gesture, he conveyed President Ho Chi Minh's mindset while facing immense pressure: enemies both internal and external, and deep concerns about the nation's fate. Photo: Vietnam Feature Film Studio

Artist Tien Hoi in character as President Ho Chi Minh during a 2015 play. Photo: Tat Son/Vietnam Photo Newspaper

While filming "Hanoi winter 1946," Tien Hoi researched President Ho Chi Minh's revolutionary activities in the Viet Bac resistance base. Director Pham Nhue Giang recalled that Tien Hoi always prepared his own props during filming. He treasured his rubber sandals, clothes, and pith helmet, even displaying them in a dedicated corner of his home.

Born in 1959 in Nghe An province, Tien Hoi joined the Hanoi Drama Theater in 1988 after the Military Region 2 Cultural Troupe disbanded. There, he participated in plays like "Repentance," "Life Cycle," "The Saint in a Dream," and "Children of Hanoi."

Tien Hoi played President Ho Chi Minh over 40 times in films, television shows, and commemorative events. In 2013, the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records recognized him as the artist who most successfully portrayed Uncle Ho across various mediums. He passed away in 2/2022 at 63 after battling lung cancer.

Ngo Quang Hai (left) plays Lam, a former law student and member of the national guard, who is later assigned by President Ho Chi Minh to be his private secretary, but in reality, a special envoy tasked with diplomatic relations with French government delegations. The character grapples with concerns about the nation's destiny and personal choices, torn between revolutionary ideals and ordinary desires. Photo: Vietnam Feature Film Studio

Vo Hoai Nam (left) portrays Toan, Lam's friend, alongside actress Hoa Thuy as the singer Huong.

Toan embodies a young, determined, and dedicated revolutionary cadre. He participates in suppressing a group of Kuomintang members, leads an ambush to seize weapons on the Red River, and ultimately sacrifices himself to save a child during a French attack. Despite limited screen time, Toan leaves a lasting impression through scenes showcasing his courage. Photo: Vietnam Feature Film Studio

After "Hanoi winter 1946," Vo Hoai Nam gained television fame as Chien in "Criminal Police" (2001). At the peak of his career, he shifted focus to business and family.

In 2021, he returned to the screen after a 16-year hiatus as Mr. Sinh in "The Flavors of Love." He also portrayed a hardworking father in "Dad's Gift" and made a mark as Nhan in "Dusty Roads." Photo: Provided by the subject

The 46-year-old actress comes from a family with artistic roots: her father and uncle were cinematographers, and two aunts were circus and theater performers. In 1995, at 16, she debuted in the television series "Silent Pain," directed by Duc Hoan. She rose to prominence in 2002 as Truc in "Candles in the Night." Recently, she has focused on business and ventured into producing and directing films like "Kieu" and "Fragile Flower," which unfortunately incurred losses.

Artist Quoc Tuan plays artist Han, passionately pursuing his art amidst the tension in pre-war Hanoi. He repeatedly requests to paint President Ho Chi Minh's portrait at the Presidential Palace and eventually receives approval. Han represents the intellectuals and artists who quietly documented the people and country during this historical period.

The 64-year-old actor graduated from the University of Theater and Cinema. He is known for films like "The Bugler," "Those Who Live Beside Me," "12A," and "4H." For many years, he has focused on writing screenplays, TV commercials, and short films while caring for his son Bom, who has Apert syndrome. His dedication to his son has inspired many.

In 2021, Quoc Tuan returned to the stage with the play "Unequal Battle." In 2023, he played a supporting role in "The Last Wife," marking his return to film after an 18-year absence. Photo: Provided by the subject

Meritorious Artist Hoa Thuy, 46, portrays Huong, a nightclub singer. Her character, gentle and melancholic, reflects the mood of urban women facing the turmoil of the times. Although not a lead role, Huong makes a lasting impression, especially in the scene where she meets Toan before his death.

Hoa Thuy started as a cheo (traditional opera) performer. She is known for her role as Thu Hien in "Criminal Police" and has appeared in films like "Pao's Story" (2006) and "Bi, Don't Be Afraid" (2010). She was married to actor Tung Duong for seven years and maintains a friendly relationship with him. She remarried in 2010 but later divorced. She currently lives with her three children and continues her acting career at the Youth Theater. Photo: Provided by the subject

Quach Thu Phuong plays Le, Lam's wife. As the city begins to evacuate, Le goes into labor, forcing Lam to take her to a maternity hospital run by nuns. Le represents women facing childbirth, separation, and danger amidst war. In the climactic scene on the evening of 19/12/1946, as the sounds of resistance echo, Le undergoes a cesarean section in critical condition while Lam is forced to leave with the army, entrusting Huong to care for his wife.

The 48-year-old actress is known for her role as Lan in the film "Things to Leave Behind." She worked at the Youth Theater and was beloved for her roles in plays like "New Year's Eve Dancer," "Diem 500 Dollars," and the poetic drama "Kieu Loan," adapted from Hoang Cam's poem. She took a break from acting to raise her two children.

In 2020, she returned to the screen as Ngan in the television series "Don't Make Me Forget." In 2021, she made a further impact as Mrs. Xuan—a naive, impulsive, and childlike mother—in "The Flavors of Love," one of the year's most popular television series. Photo: Provided by the subject

Que Chi