I returned to Hoi An after 20 years, since filming "The White Silk Dress". Back then, I was young, just starting to take on significant roles. Hoi An was ancient and simple, not as crowded or vibrant with lanterns and tourists as it is today. The ancient town was quiet and gentle, like an unfinished painting from the past.

Twenty years passed surprisingly quickly. Now, Hoi An has a new look: bustling and lively, yet retaining familiar features. Walking through the streets, I saw the yellow walls that once reflected my image during filming, and I smiled at the blend of the familiar and the new.

Simply sitting by a small tofu pudding stand, ordering shredded chicken rice with ginger fish sauce, transported me back to my youth. A time when I was full of dreams, pursuing art with passion and intuition.

I vividly remember the nervous excitement during filming under the central Vietnam sun, the director shouting "action!", the gazes of my fellow actors, and myself – the young woman who poured her heart into every scene. Now, in Hoi An, I see not just a role, but a long journey I've traveled.

For me, Hoi An holds a piece of my memories, my youth, and my love for cinema and Vietnamese culture. It's where I connect with the genuine emotions of a mature woman, returning to the starting point of a dream, and feeling grateful for still being moved by the past.

Sometimes, returning is a way to move forward with depth, slowly, and with greater appreciation. Hoi An is not just a beautiful place; it reminds me of my dedication to a role, and, more importantly, makes me proud to be Vietnamese.

Truong Ngoc Anh

Hoi An - 7/2025