EXCLUSIVE: Historical action epic Spirit Guardians: The Last Secret of The First Emperor is set for release on August 28, coinciding with Vietnam’s National Day holiday and marking the 30th anniversary of leading production and distribution company BHD.
Hanoi-based BHD also announced the full cast, revealed the trailer and a series of first look images of the A-list ensemble cast during a showcase held today (April 15) at Ho Chi Minh City’s Post Office, a historical heritage site.
The main cast is toplined by Tuan Tran, one of the most bankable local actors whose smash hits include Mai; legendary action star Johnny Tri Nguyen (The Rebel) in his first Vietnamese feature film for almost a decade; rising action actress Thien Tu; and TV star Tu Long.
The ensemble cast also includes Le Vu Long, Do Thi Hai Yen, Quach Ngoc Ngoan and Hua Vi Van alongside martial artist Diep Quang Binh and seven-time Wushu world champion Nguyen Thuy Hien.
Set in the Dinh Dynasty of the 10th century, the period film follows seven loyal warriors who must race against time to transport 99 coffins to different parts of the kingdom as a decoy to the enemy and keep the final resting place of the first emperor a secret.
Backed by BHD and Viettel Telecom’s TV and entertainment platform TV360, it is billed as one of the largest film productions in Vietnam’s history, featuring an ensemble of 50 speaking roles, more than 5,000 background actors and 100 professional stunt performers led by star Johnny Tri Nguyen who also serves as action director. He most recently played a supporting role in US action series The Continental: From The World Of John Wick.
It took six months to recreate the ancient kingdom through the construction of 40 large-scale sets across Ninh Binh, a Unesco heritage site and a major filming location for 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island. The extensive traditional costume is handled by Vietnamese American fashion designer Bao Tranchi. The shoot wrapped in January after 83 days of filming.
“As Vietnamese viewers become increasingly passionate and demanding, we cannot disappoint them,” said director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, co-founder of BHD. “Our goal is to meet those rising expectations with a higher standard of filmmaking, ensuring that Vietnamese cinema not only honours its heritage but also evolves into a world-class industry.”
The film is the biggest production to-date for BHD, which was established in 1996 by Binh and producer Ngo Thi Bich Hanh. The TV production company soon branched out into film production, distribution and exhibition, operating the BHD Star Cineplex chain. Through Vietnam Media, it also handles international sales of Vietnamese titles.
Last year, Dang Thai Huyen’s historical war film Red Rain opened on August 22, ahead of the National Day holiday (September 2) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s independence. The film went on to become the country’s biggest ever film, earning $27.1m (VND714bn).
Vietnam is one of the very few territories in the region with a thriving box office. According to data released by CGV, the first quarter of 2026 saw total box office reach $58.7m (VND1,545bn), with more than 18.5 million admissions, up 9.5% year-on-year. Local films – led by Tran Thanh’s Bunny!! – accounted for 76% of the total box office and 78% of admissions.
No comments yet