Tăng Thanh Hà, a prominent Vietnamese actress, has made a much-anticipated return to the film industry after a 13-year hiatus, taking on the role of Empress Nam Phương in the upcoming movie titled 'The Last Queen'. The film, which draws inspiration from the life of the empress, was officially announced at a media event held on July 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, where Hà appeared alongside director Bảo Nhân and co-star Ma Ran Đô, who plays Emperor Bảo Đại.

This role marks Tăng Thanh Hà's first appearance on screen since her last film, 'The Lady Assassin', released in 2013. After that, she stepped away from the spotlight to focus on her business ventures and family life, making only occasional appearances at events hosted by family or friends. The filming of 'The Last Queen' commenced in March at the Kiến Trung Palace in Huế, following six years of preparation.

Director Bảo Nhân shared that the film primarily revolves around royal life, with over 90% of the content focusing on the emotional aspects and the fate of the characters as they navigate their historical context. He emphasized that the film does not follow a biographical format but instead delves into the personal experiences of Nam Phương as she lived passionately and worked to preserve traditional cultural values.

In addition to Tăng Thanh Hà and Ma Ran Đô, the cast includes several other characters such as Crown Prince Bảo Long and various concubines. The actors underwent extensive training in acting and court etiquette for 9-10 months prior to filming. The script is inspired by numerous historical documents about Empress Nam Phương's love life.

The production received support from the Thừa Thiên Huế provincial government, which facilitated filming at various historical sites in Huế. The Kiến Trung Palace, where Emperor Bảo Đại and Empress Nam Phương lived and worked, served as the primary filming location. Additional scenes were shot in Đà Lạt, Buôn Mê Thuột, Ho Chi Minh City, and Chabrignac in France, where the empress spent her final days.

Empress Nam Phương, born Nguyễn Hữu Thị Lan in 1913, hailed from a wealthy landowning family in Saigon. She first met Emperor Bảo Đại at the age of 18 in Đà Lạt, and he chose her to be his consort due to her beauty, character, and education. Throughout her reign, she significantly influenced governance and was a source of inspiration for women's empowerment in society.

Tăng Thanh Hà, now 40 years old and originally from Đồng Tháp, began her acting career in childhood drama classes. She gained widespread recognition after starring in the film 'Suddenly Want to Cry' alongside Lương Mạnh Hải. Over the years, she has participated in several successful films, including 'Beautiful Every Centimeter' and 'The Lady Assassin', which was the highest-grossing Vietnamese film at its release. In 2012, she married businessman Louis Nguyễn, and they have three children together.