2026 Lunar New Year Film: Thu Trang clarifies rumors of "avoiding" Tran Thanh and Truong Giang.

In recent days, news of Thu Trang's withdrawal from the 2026 Lunar New Year film race has quickly attracted public attention, leading to much speculation surrounding the director-actress's decision to "avoid" Tran Thanh and Truong Giang, two names always considered box office guarantees during the Lunar New Year.

Following speculation circulating on social media, Thu Trang has officially spoken out, asserting that this is an incomplete understanding of her and her team's decision.

According to Thu Trang, from the very beginning of working on the new project, she didn't intend for the film to be released during the Lunar New Year. The film, which she's pouring much effort into, is scheduled for release at the end of the year, from Christmas to New Year's Day, to create a suitable viewing period that matches the film's tone and spirit. Therefore, not participating in the 2026 Lunar New Year film season isn't a move to "avoid" anyone, but simply a strategic choice that was calculated early on.

The actress stated that she understands very well the intensity and fierce competition of the Lunar New Year film season, where projects often have to race in terms of scale, screening slots, and media coverage. For her, not every film is suitable for release in that context. If a film is forced to be released without a purely entertaining spirit, without being lighthearted enough for the whole family to watch during Tet, then the film itself will be the first to suffer. Thu Trang emphasized that she doesn't choose to take risks just to "be present enough to participate in the game."

Previously, Thu Trang's consideration of making a sequel to a successful project for release during Tet (Lunar New Year) also raised expectations. However, after developing the script, she and her collaborators decided to postpone it because they felt the content didn't meet their expectations. For Thu Trang, it's better to take a step back than to release a film that isn't truly complete, especially during a period when she wants to establish herself as a director with polished works that have her own unique style.

"Rumors will always remain just rumors. For Trang, every film she makes is carefully planned in terms of when it will be released."

"I wanted to make a sequel to 'The Billion Dollar Kiss,' but due to various issues, most importantly the unsatisfactory script, I wanted to postpone it. On the other hand, I'm also participating in the Lunar New Year film race with 'The Scent of Pho' as an actress, and I feel it wouldn't be 'fair play' to release my own film during this period," Thu Trang shared.

Sharing more about the competition with her colleagues, Thu Trang frankly stated that the increasing vibrancy of Vietnamese cinema is a positive sign. The fact that many directors and producers are investing heavily in Lunar New Year films makes the market more diverse and gives audiences more choices. She affirmed that she doesn't consider Tran Thanh or Truong Giang as "rivals" in the sense of confrontation, but rather as serious professionals, each with their own direction and target audience.

In the broader picture of the 2026 Lunar New Year film season, many major projects are being revealed, promising fiercer box office competition than in previous years. Thu Trang's absence has left many viewers disappointed, but it also opens up opportunities for her to pursue other paths in the coming year. Instead of focusing on a short-term race, Thu Trang has chosen to invest long-term, concentrating on the quality of her work and her career development.

Thu Trang's decision partly reflects a shift in the filmmaking mindset of Vietnamese producers. As the market matures, choosing the right release time that aligns with the film's spirit becomes just as important as the content or the cast.

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