Why does Tang Thanh Ha continue to cause controversy in the trailer for 'The Last Empress'?

Hanoi [Vietnam], July 9: Ever since the cast was announced, Tang Thanh Ha's role as the female lead in The Last Empress has made the film one of the most talked-about movie projects of 2026 so far.
The focus of the debate wasn't on the scale of investment or the production team, but rather on the return of Tang Thanh Ha as Empress Nam Phuong after a 13-year absence from the screen. When the first trailer was released, reviews of the visuals, dialogue, costumes, and the way the historical setting was recreated continued to be discussed.
While previously most opinions focused on whether Tang Thanh Ha resembled Empress Nam Phuong, this time the discussion has become more multifaceted. Some viewers believe the actress's demeanor and gaze are more convincing in the scenes shown in the first trailer for "The Last Empress," but others question the degree of resemblance between the character and the historical figure.
Viewers believe that Tang Thanh Ha's close-up shots, calm demeanor, and expressive eyes create a convincing effect, causing them to "change their minds" and want to wait for the film's release instead of jumping to conclusions. However, some argue that the actress, born in the 1980s, possesses a modern beauty that doesn't quite evoke the image of Empress Nam Phuong with her traditional grace and charm. This difference in perception of the character keeps the debate ongoing.
Not only Empress Nam Phuong, but also the image of Bao Dai, played by Ma Ran Do, has become a topic of discussion. The trailer portrays a young king caught between love, power, and the upheavals of the times. Some viewers praised the character's distinct cinematic quality and emotional depth, while others felt the portrayal still fell short of their preconceived notions of the last king of the Nguyen dynasty.
Another point that has been constantly scrutinized in the trailer is the dialogue. Some have commented that a few lines of dialogue have a modern feel, failing to create the atmosphere of a film set in the royal court in the early 20th century, especially the way the dialogue is spoken doesn't suit the demeanor of the royal family. Conversely, others argue that the trailer is only a few minutes long, not enough time to fully assess the film's cinematic language, and that drawing conclusions too early would be unfair.
Costumes also became a subject of debate. On film forums, some praised the crew's meticulous investment, the luxurious imagery, and the beautiful palace settings. However, there were also comments expressing concerns about some design details that did not match historical records. This shows that viewers are increasingly concerned about the authenticity of culture and history when presented in films.
The mixed opinions surrounding Tang Thanh Ha's return, the portrayal of Emperor Bao Dai, the dialogue, and the costumes in the film " The Last Empress" show that audiences are no longer solely concerned with whether a film features stars, but have begun demanding compelling details. This serves as both pressure and motivation for future historical film projects to be more meticulously invested in, because with films about real historical figures, creativity only truly has value when built on a foundation of respect for history.
Source: Than Nien Newspaper