Speaking with Gia Lai Broadcasting and Newspaper’s reporter, she discussed her role as Hồng, the challenges of historical filmmaking and her hopes of showcasing her homeland to wider audiences.
Valuable experience with “Red Rain”
The role in the film “Red Rain” not only brought Lê Hạ Anh a wealth of special emotions but also presented her with challenges that have helped solidify her acting career.
● When you embodied the character Hồng in "Red Rain", how did you feel about the role, both personally and in terms of portraying women during wartime?
Hồng is both a nurse in the middle of the battlefield and a ferryman who braves bombs and bullets to carry soldiers across the river.
She is not only a spiritual anchor but also represents love, sacrifice, and the resilience of Vietnamese women during wartime. They were not just behind the scenes, they kept the flame alive, maintained faith, and faced hardship and loss head-on.
Taking on this role gave me a deep appreciation of their strength, something I had not fully imagined before. It was a precious opportunity to portray Vietnamese women of that era: gentle yet strong.
Since my grandfather was a martyr who died on the Quảng Trị battlefield, participating in Red Rain was also my way of paying tribute to him and to all the heroes who sacrificed their lives.
Hồng (left) ferries soldiers across the Thạch Hãn River. Photo: Provided by the artist
● Compared to your previous films, was this your greatest challenge?
Absolutely. Red Rain is my first historical-war film, so I had to study the context thoroughly, train physically, and even learn to row a real boat.
The greatest pressure was how to maintain the wartime spirit while still connecting with today’s audiences. But all these challenges became invaluable experiences in my professional journey.
● In the film, which scene made you feel as if you were truly living as your character?
The ending scene. Hồng hugs her lover’s backpack and looks across the Thạch Hãn River as bombs explode. She cries out “My love!” but receives no reply. Just moments earlier, she had heard him say “I love you” for the first time, and suddenly everything was gone.
We filmed in the rain all night in Quảng Trị. I was soaked and shivering, but that made the emotions even more real. I truly felt I was living Hồng’s pain of separation and loss.
Acting is also “storytelling”
For Hạ Anh, acting is not just a profession but a journey of learning, experience and an opportunity to bring the image of her homeland and its people closer to audiences.
● What inspired you to pursue acting?
I wanted to tell meaningful stories that touch the hearts of audiences. Acting allows me to live through different characters, to experience various circumstances, and to understand people more deeply.
For me, acting is not just a career but a bridge that connects us through genuine emotions.
![4.png](https://en-cdn.baogialai.com.vn/images/ae4ddd3920ee5d106ddb1632869ee769d3bfe324c04a9bf888fee6f02569b5b2726d6ca078c2ffc62d23bcdf4dc7ffc4/4.png "Hạ Anh is diligent in refreshing her roles with each film. In the photo: Hạ Anh as "Mỹ Tú" in the film "Lưới trời". Photo: Provided by the artist")
● Have you thought about promoting your hometown Gia Lai through artistic projects?
Always. Gia Lai has pristine landscapes, unique culture, and warm-hearted people that deserve to be shared with wider audiences. If I have the opportunity, I would prioritise roles or projects connected to my hometown, stories from everyday life but filled with soul.
● If each role is a story, what kind of character would you like to play to showcase the ‘Gia Lai spirit’?
Gia Lai is full of stories and has a spirit unlike anywhere else. Even its cuisine is something I would love to introduce.
If given the chance, I would like to bring a touch of “Central Highlands flavour” to my roles: courageous, resilient, and with a distinctive humour. Maybe after watching, audiences will feel inspired to visit Gia Lai themselves. (laughs)
Hạ Anh at her hometown. Photo: Provided by the artist
Lê Hạ Anh at a Glance
· Born: 1995, Gia Lai province
- Career start: First prize, Ngôi sao Thời trang (Fashion Star) contest, 2011
- Filmography: Cả một đời ân oán, Đánh cắp giấc mơ, Cô gái đến từ hôm qua
· Latest role: Hồng in Red Rain (Mưa đỏ)
Red Rain at the Box Office
· Premiered: 21 August 2025
- By 28 August: surpassed 200 billion VND (US$8.2 million)
- By 31 August: became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of 2025 with 332 billion VND (US$13.6 million), surpassing Trấn Thành’s Bộ tứ báo thủ
· Set record for highest single-day revenue: 45.8 billion VND (US$1.9 million), overtaking Trấn Thành’s Mai
