Top 10 Best and Meaningful Vietnamese LGBT Films

I’m Not Far From You offers a compassionate look at the LGBT community, directed by Rony Hòa and Thái Minh Nhiên, starring Anh Tú, Châu Trọng Tài, NSƯT Hữu Châu, Thanh Hoàng, and Hải Triều.

The film tells the story of Tùng and Nam, two characters who shared a deep connection during their youth. However, life pulled them apart. Years later, they reunite, only to discover their children are about to marry each other. The film unfolds the journey of these two men from adolescence to old age, blending the past and present. A doctor named Trường is familiar with Nguyệt and Hải. While Hải attempts to charm Trường, the doctor’s attention is drawn to Nguyệt. Destiny reveals a long-hidden story about the romantic struggles of their fathers from over two decades ago.

The film subtly touches on the theme of romance between men with delicacy and grace. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy soft, romantic narratives. The actors deliver their performances with emotional depth, capturing the essence of their characters through their eyes and gestures.
IMDb Rating: 8.5

Lô Tô is a film that has received high praise from both the LGBT community and the general public. Released in 2017, it tells the story of the struggles faced by transgender women who work in a traveling lô tô opera troupe, with the main character being Lệ Liễu.

Lệ Liễu was born as a boy named Đực but always dreamed of becoming a woman. She endured violent abuse from her parents, who couldn't accept her desire to transition. When her parents forced her to marry a woman, Lệ Liễu ran away on the night of her wedding and joined the lô tô troupe, starting a new life as a woman.

Years later, Lệ Liễu becomes the leader of the troupe, which travels across the country, facing many challenges like financial struggles and hostility from those who discriminate. Despite all the difficulties, the troupe remains hopeful, joyful, and resilient. Lô Tô is a moving portrayal of the transgender experience, expressing the longing to live authentically, to be accepted, and to be loved.

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Watch here: https://vieon.vn/lo-to.html

When it was released in 2015, Love was considered a bold film, exploring a topic rarely discussed in Vietnam—love between two women. Starring popular faces like Chi Pu, Gil Lê, and Bê Trần, the film quickly gained success and left a strong impression on viewers.

The film revolves around the complex relationships between Nhi (Chi Pu), Hoàng (Bê Trần), Tú (Gil Lê), and Miến (Phở Đặc Biệt). These young individuals are entering adulthood, facing their first encounters with life’s challenges, and discovering the profound emotions of love and the confusion it brings.

The story begins with Nhi and Tú, childhood friends who enjoyed happy days together. After a traumatic event, Tú has to transfer schools, and they don’t meet again until over ten years later. Nhi has grown into a beautiful young woman, engaged to a wealthy man, Hoàng. When Tú reappears, she realizes she has developed romantic feelings for Nhi. Confused and uncertain, Nhi finds herself drawn to Tú as well, leading to a heartfelt confession.

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Colorless Rainbow is a 2015 Vietnamese film that delves into the world of gay love, starring Vũ Tuấn Kiệt, Nguyễn Thanh Tú, and Kim Khánh, and directed by Nguyễn Quang Tuyến.

The film follows the love story of Hùng (Vũ Tuấn Việt) and Hoàng (Nguyễn Thanh Tú), adopted brothers who grew up together in a close, loving family. As they mature, they realize their feelings for each other go beyond the sibling bond, and their relationship turns romantic. This sparks a series of emotional turmoil, shocking conflicts, and the intense reaction of their mother. The film powerfully conveys the struggles and confusion of the characters, thanks to the brilliant performances of the cast.

Colorless Rainbow features beautiful cinematography, a captivating soundtrack, and strong performances that help convey the message that “being gay is not a disease.” It provides a thoughtful and humanistic portrayal of the LGBTQI+ experience, making it one of the most noteworthy films on the subject.

IMDb Rating: 6.4

The Final Journey of Sister Phụng is a 2014 documentary film directed and shot by Nguyễn Thị Thắm, with Sylvie Blum as the primary producer.

The film follows a traveling theater troupe, predominantly made up of gay individuals, with the troupe leader being Bích Phụng, a transgender woman in her middle years. Each night, the performers cross-dress as women to entertain their audience. Among the performers, Bích Phụng and Hằng share deep reflections on their lives. They’ve always known the harsh realities of their existence, longing to be real women with families, but such dreams seem unattainable in their current forms. Beneath their public personas, they remain regular people with hopes, frustrations, and emotions.

Through this documentary, the film vividly captures the hardships and emotional struggles of these individuals, evoking deep sympathy from viewers, especially from fellow Vietnamese artists.

IMDb Rating: 8.7

Lost in the World is a 2014 Vietnamese film exploring LGBTQI+ themes, specifically bisexuality, a topic rarely addressed in Vietnamese cinema. Directed by Phi Tiến Sơn, the film stars renowned actors such as Trung Dũng, Mai Thu Huyền, Bình An, Trung Dân, NSƯT Thành Lộc, Tuyền Mập, and Quách Ngọc Tuyên.

The story follows Trung (Trung Dũng), a fugitive criminal who escapes during his transfer and seeks refuge at a remote farm. There, Trung begins an affair with Kim (Mai Thu Huyền), a nurse. However, Trung also develops feelings for Hải (Bình An), the farm’s young owner. As the situation becomes increasingly complicated, the police locate Trung, and Hải is seriously injured while protecting him. Meanwhile, Kim discovers she is pregnant.

The pacing of the film is slow and gentle, with director Phi Tiến Sơn choosing a soft, subtle storytelling style that mirrors the tender emotions of those in love.

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Rebel Hot Boy explores two intertwined stories set in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on the lives of a young man named Cười, a prostitute named Hạnh, and a duck. The film, directed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng, features a cast including Lương Mạnh Hải, Hiếu Hiền, Hồ Vĩnh Khoa, Phương Thanh, Linh Sơn, and La Quốc Hùng.

The plot revolves around a complicated love triangle involving Đông, Khôi, and Lam. Initially, Lam and Đông are in love, but after robbing Khôi of his wealth, Đông abandons Lam, forcing her into a life of survival through sex work. The film progresses with increasingly tragic events that lead all three characters to face the harsh realities of their lives.

Rebel Hot Boy serves as a cautionary tale about the growing issue of male homosexuality in prostitution, which is starting to emerge in Vietnam and poses a risk of future expansion. The film aims to authentically depict the lives of sex workers, both male and female, and the emotional and personal struggles they endure.

IMDb Rating: 6.6

Directed by Trịnh Đình Lê Minh, Dear Mom, I'm Leaving was released in 2019 and is considered one of the most successful and well-executed Vietnamese LGBTQ+ films to date.

The film delicately explores themes of same-sex relationships and family dynamics, featuring strong performances from Võ Điền Gia Huy, Lãnh Thanh, Hồng Đào, Hồng Ánh, Mai Thanh Hà, and Lê Thiện. It has been screened in several countries, including South Korea, the United States, Taiwan, Japan, and China.

The story follows Văn (Lãnh Thanh), who returns to Vietnam after years of studying in the U.S. with his same-sex partner, Ian (Võ Điền Gia Huy). Confronted with the pressure of being the heir to his family, Văn struggles to come out to his family and reveal his relationship with Ian. The film portrays the cultural norms and expectations of multi-generational Vietnamese families, where responsibilities such as marriage and children weigh heavily. The characters are torn between societal pressures and their desire for acceptance and understanding from their loved ones.

With its humanistic storyline, strong family bonds, rural charm, and realistic performances, the film delivers a powerful message of love and acceptance.

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Butterfly House is a Vietnamese adaptation of the French play La Cage aux Folles (1973), which has been adapted several times for film, including the 1978 movie and the 1996 remake The Birdcage starring Robin Williams. Unlike typical LGBT films, Butterfly House does not center around the love between a same-sex couple but instead explores the impact of family dynamics and societal expectations.

The story begins with the relationship between Hoàng (Liên Bỉnh Phát) and Mai (Hoàng Yến Chibi). They are preparing to introduce their families before their wedding when an unexpected complication arises. Mai comes from a conservative family, with her father about to be promoted to principal of a prestigious high school in Hanoi. His traditional values clash with the fact that Hoàng’s parents are a gay couple who own a bar. This difference leads to Mai's family rejecting their union.

After facing various obstacles, Mai’s parents begin to understand and empathize with the love between Hoàng’s fathers, Cường (Quang Minh) and Hân (NSƯT Thành Lộc). The film ends with Mai and Hoàng's wedding, symbolizing the triumph of love and acceptance.

With moments of humor, tears, deceit, and sincerity, Butterfly House touches on many emotions within its 103-minute runtime. It also sensitively portrays the love between Hoàng’s gay fathers, presenting their relationship with grace and subtlety that resonates with viewers.

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Watch here: https://vieon.vn/ngoi-nha-buom-buom.html

Song Lang, directed by Leon Quang Lê, is a unique cinematic blend of traditional cải lương music and the struggles of everyday life. Featuring a talented cast including Liên Bỉnh Phát, Isaac, Tú Quyên, Minh Phượng, Thanh Tú, and Kiều Trinh, the film takes audiences to 1980s Saigon.

The story centers around Dũng “Thiên Lôi” (Liên Bỉnh Phát), a solitary debt collector, who unexpectedly crosses paths with Linh Phụng (Isaac), the lead actor of a cải lương troupe. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that forces Dũng to confront his past and make life-altering decisions.

Song Lang has received numerous accolades, including the Tokyo Gemstone Award at the 2018 Tokyo International Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the 2019 Cánh Diều Awards, and the Golden Lotus Award for Best Feature Film at the 2019 Vietnam Film Festival. Both Isaac and Liên Bỉnh Phát received nominations and awards for Best Actor at the 2019 Ngôi Sao Xanh Awards. The film continues to earn high praise from both critics and audiences.

IMDb Rating: 7.7

Watch here: https://vieon.vn/song-lang.html