Box-office takings of around 35 billion dong after more than ten days in cinemas have left the makers of Ho linh trang si facing a weaker commercial result than expected. The producers are nevertheless considering a longer life for the film, including a possible extended version on a streaming platform if conditions allow.
At a September 9 workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, BHD vice-chair Ngo Thi Bich Hanh expressed disappointment while saying the team had committed fully to the project. She emphasised that audiences ultimately decide how a film is received. The production budget has not been disclosed; the widely mentioned figure of about 100 billion dong is an estimate.
The historical fantasy draws on the burial of Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang, following warriors sent in different directions with coffins to protect the tomb's secret. More than a decade of research informed its costumes, props and depiction of rituals from over a thousand years ago.
That investment attracted attention to the visuals and action, but did not resolve criticism of an overcrowded script and underdeveloped characters. A 135-minute cut edited by Ham Tran, twenty minutes shorter than the initial version, has been available since August 30. Any further streaming release remains a plan, without a confirmed launch date.