The New Wave of Vietnamese Filmmakers

Vietnamese cinema is currently experiencing a surge of ingenuity and artistic expression, largely driven by the emergence of a new generation of Vietnamese filmmakers. Directors such as Charlie Nguyen, Ham Tran, Victor Vu, and Kiet Le have been contributing in this transformation, each imprinting their distinctive style and creativity onto the nation's film industry. Over the past ten years, Their unique approaches to filmmaking have not only redefined the cinematic landscape in Vietnam but have also helped the industry inch closer to new values and international standards.

Charlie Nguyen appears on the podcast "Chuyện thứ VI"

Charlie Nguyen

Charlie Nguyen, known for his dynamic storytelling and visual flair, has been a significant force in shaping the new wave of Vietnamese cinema. His films often blend action, comedy, and drama, creating a cinematic experience that resonates with both domestic and international audiences. Beyond his well-known works like Dòng máu anh hùng (The Rebel, 2007), Để Mai Tính (Fool for Love, 2010), Bụi đời Chợ Lớn (2012), and Tèo em (Little Teo, 2013), one of his film is Bẫy Rồng (Clash, 2009) stands out for its acclaim. Credited with pioneering action films in Vietnamese cinema, Clash has garnered comparisons to international action movies.

Vietnamese Cinema's Game Changers: Charlie Nguyen, Ham Tran, Victor Vu, Kiet Le

Action (The Rebel & Clash). Comedy (Little Teo). Drama (Fool for Love) . Charlie Nguyen delivers it all.

Ham Tran

Ham Tran at the interview with Asian Movie Pulse

Ham Tran's influence is marked by his nuanced and artistic filmmaking, which often delves into complex human themes. He tackles complex human themes with depth, contributing to the industry's growing reputation for powerful storytelling. His diverse in films showcases his versatility. From the Sundance-selected historical drama, Vượt Sóng (Journey from the Fall, 2006) exploring the Vietnam War, to the romance-comedy, Âm Mưu Giày Gót Nhọn (How to Fight in Six Inch Heels, 2013), and the unique heist film, Siêu Trộm (Bitcoin Heist, 2016), Tran consistently delivers captivating experiences. His most recent success, Maika- Cô bé đến từ hành tinh khác (Maika: The Girl from Another Galaxy, 2022), marks a first for Vietnamese cinema. This sci-fi adventure film blends themes of friendship, courage, and imagination within a visually stunning and exciting journey. Luckily, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him at Viet Film Fest 2022 during the screening of 'Maika,' an encounter that further illuminated the passion and vision behind his groundbreaking work

Ham Tran's acclaimed films

Ham Tran's most recent horror series on Netflix, Devil's Diner (2025)

Victor Vu

Victor Vu, director of Mắt Biếc (Dreamy Eyes, 2019), with his wife, Vietnamese actress Định Ngọc Diệp, and son appear at the film's premiere in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Victor Vu isn't just a prolific Vietnamese director with over 17 films under his belt; he's a master of genre-blending. His work resonates deeply, from the romantic comedy Cô Dâu Đại Chiến (The Battle of Brides, 2012) to the horror-comedy Scandal: Bí Mật Thảm Đỏ (Scandal, 2012). This film blends suspense, drama, and comedy to explore the themes of ambition, betrayal, and the dark side of entertainment.

Vu's mastery extends to dramas as well. Tôi Thấy Hoa Vàng Trên Cỏ Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, 2015), adapted from Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's novel of the same name, tackles themes of friendship, family, and growing up. It even became Vietnam's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 89th Academy Awards.Continuing his success in Vietnamese cinema, Mắt Biếc (Dreamy Eyes, 2019), another adaptation film from Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's best-selling young that became a box office hit and a social media phenomenon. The film's availability on Netflix showcases Victor Vu's understanding of modern audience engagement. These successes illustrate Victor Vu's ability to captivate audiences across genres.

Victor Vu's adaptations work from Nguyễn Nhật Ánh's novel

Further showcasing his versatility, Victor Vu's recent films, Người Bất Tử (The Immortal, 2018), a historical fantasy thriller, and Người Vợ Cuối Cùng (The Last Wife, 2023), a historical romance interwoven with drama, have garnered both critical acclaim and box office success in Vietnam. Notably, The Last Wife (2023) is also available to stream on Netflix. How lucky! I had the opportunity to attend his private Q&A session when the film was released in the US.

Watching his film and attending a private Q&A session.

Kiet Le

Le-Van Kiet (also known as Kiet Le) is a Vietnamese filmmaker known for his character-driven narratives that resonate with audiences both in Vietnam and internationally. He captures the cultural spirit, by focusing on the humanistic element within his stories. Particualrly, Kiet Le's martial arts crime thriller Hai Phượng (Furie, 2019), starring Veronica Ngo, achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, becoming a major breakthrough for him as a director (Bonus: I even met him at Viet Film Fest 2022!) . This film was selected as Vietnam's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, it also became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film in history at the time. In 2022, Le made his Hollywood debut with The Princess, an action film starring Joey King. The film follows a rebellious princess who defies a cruel marriage proposal.

Kiet Le's notable works

A highlight: meeting Ham Tran at Viet Film Fest 2022. 'Maika' was incredible