A famous pageant contestant says fate is why she accepted the role of a Vietnamese empress in a TV series being made for the 1,000th year anniversary of Hanoi.

But when she was offered a role in the TV series Tran Thu Do (Royal Chancellor Tran Thu Do) she couldn’t resist playing the part of a Ly Dynasty queen.

“Many famous directors had invited me to take part in their films but I couldn’t because after competing at the pageants, I had to return to the US to continue my studies,” Ly says.

“Before I attended Miss World 2008 in South Africa, director Dao Duy Phuc contacted me and suggested casting me in the role of Tran Thi Dung.”

She says she felt a little bit surprised at the proposal but after studying the history, she decided she would be proud to do it.

Her character, Tran Thi Dung, the daughter of a Ly Dynasty mandarin, was skilled at literature and martial arts. Dung often discussed political issues with her father and brothers. She fell in love with the founder of the Tran Dynasty, Tran Thu Do, but she had to abandon him to marry a crown prince for political reasons. Then she became a queen of the Ly Dynasty.

Dung became a powerful political player and a military general.

Ly says she has studied her character’s history in depth, and is learning martial arts. Playing the part is worth it, she says, to show her gratitude to her country’s ancestors.

“It is a contribution to the 1,000th Thang Long-Hanoi anniversary,” Ly says.

The 30-episode-film will cost VND50 billion (US$2.9 million) and is expected to start shooting this month. The film tells about the life of Tran Thu Do who was the Royal Chancellor in the 13th century. He played a pivotal role in overthrowing the Ly Dynasty and founding the Tran Dynasty.

Film process

To prepare for making the film, researchers have interviewed many experts and historians to make it as true to reality as possible.

Ly says: “We listened to a presentation by history professor Le Van Lan and were instructed in traditional classical opera by musical theater artists and taught martial arts by experienced instructor Vo Thanh Tam. Foreign experts will also be invited to assist us with the filming in coming months.”

“I can sense a serious working atmosphere ahead for all members in the film crew,” Ly adds.

Apart from learning new skills, they are prepared well in their spirit, Ly says: “We worshiped ancient sages in pagodas around Hanoi. Soon, we will visit the tombs of Tran Thu Do and Tran Thi Dung.”

“This is a wonderful way to keep us calm in our minds. We feel affection and responsibility in our roles,” Ly says.

The most difficult thing for the 20-year-old actress is to portray a 16-year-old girl, Tran Thi Dung, who is beautiful, smart and strong.

“Of course, I have to adapt myself to my character. Make-up specialists will help me look like a 16-year-old and I will learn some basic martial arts, swimming and horse riding skills.”

She says her overseas study is not an obstacle for her to star in a series about the legendary queen. “But the difficulty lies in the fact that there is very little information about her character.”

Ly says: “It is true that my character is of crucial importance and how I play the role will affect the whole film, so it is a big responsibility for me.”

“I believe that director Dao Duy Phuc has chosen me, an amateur, to act as the show’s lead for the right reasons. I don’t believe he would pick a ‘beautiful vase’ without acting ability or intelligence to star as the queen,” Ly says.

“It is such a big responsibility, that if I didn’t think I had enough ability to perform the role, I would not have accepted, but I think I am meant to play Tran Thi Dung.”

Ly is going to have to juggle the acting work with her role as Hoan Vu Company National Director and consultant to supermodel Vo Hoang Yen at Miss Universe 2009. She is her liaison with the Miss Universe Organization.

The company chose Ly to pass on her experience to Hoang Yen, who was the first runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008.

Ly says she won’t have any trouble handling acting and her work with Yen: “My work is not to manage Hoang Yen but to give her advice from my own international competition experience.”

Reported by Hanh Nhi