Top 10 Most Memorable Chinese Historical Dramas on VTV3

The drama The Tale of the Lady Tinh Wei Who Filled the Sea aired in 2006 at 6 PM daily, directed by Vu Dich. Set in a mythical world of the Three Realms—gods, humans, and demons—the story followed Tinh Wei, a mischievous yet intelligent character portrayed by actress Thu Sung. Loved and protected by the Queen Mother and Dragon King, Tinh Wei adored the brave but foolish Hou Yi, the archer who shot down the sun, despite his love for a princess. I still remember the heartbreaking ending when, during a family dinner, Tinh Wei transforms into a divine bird—her task to drop stones into the ocean to restore peace in the world. Unaware of her role, she tirelessly continued her task. I couldn’t help but cry then, and years later, when it aired again in the morning, I still cried just as much. Don’t miss this unforgettable series The Tale of the Lady Tinh Wei Who Filled the Sea!

Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oonpdT-bEc&list=PLsS7BcuO34DxRonfdiZ87_A84H1b3WmXm

A hilarious comedy directed by Trinh Thieu Phong that captured the attention of Vietnamese audiences in 2006, airing at the prime 6 PM slot. The Best Matchmaker in the World: Song Song follows Song Song, a woman with no beauty and a speech impediment, who is abandoned by her husband. But fortune smiles on her as she meets a royal doctor who helps her overcome her speech and trains her to become a matchmaker. Eventually, she becomes known as the best matchmaker in the world.

The series is full of laugh-out-loud moments, especially with the quirky, eerie laugh of “Song Song” played by Ngo Quan Nhu, which will have you in stitches. The Best Matchmaker in the World: Song Song is definitely a must-watch for some light-hearted fun!

Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y7LDWriH_c

The drama Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, based on the famous Chinese legend, was aired in 2007 and is now considered an intangible cultural heritage. In this version, Liang Shanbo is portrayed by actor Ha Run Dong, while Zhu Yingtai is played by Dong Kiet. Zhu Yingtai, a beautiful and talented young woman from the Zhu family, disguises herself as a man to attend school at Yi Mountain, where she meets Liang Shanbo, a kind-hearted and clever classmate. Their love story is often compared to Romeo and Juliet, as they face many obstacles.

In the end, their love cannot come to fruition. Despite the joy and turmoil they shared, they could never be together. One scene that stands out is Zhu Yingtai’s wedding to Ma Wencai, which is interrupted by a storm. Yingtai runs to the tomb of Shanbo, stripping off her wedding gown as she goes—such a beautifully shot scene. Although the ending is tragic, with both leads dying, they are transformed into butterflies, forever together in the sky.

Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fz1MAiDpC8&list=PLYQFPFn31mbss-oZT00zgJfRuzPONZ-DQ

The drama The Stubborn Princess, directed by Dang Jian Guo, first aired in 2008 during the noon timeslot at 12 PM. Do you remember Princess Su Duo Ting, played by Jang Na Ra, and Emperor Chu Yuan, portrayed by So Huo Bing? Back then, I was absolutely hooked on this couple. I secretly wished for their romance to become real and even scoured the internet for articles about them.

The Stubborn Princess follows Su Duo Ting, the adopted daughter of the general Su Duo Qing, who is a playful and spirited young woman, often disguising herself as a man to help the poor. She crosses paths with Emperor Chu Yuan, who is secretly inspecting his kingdom, and they form a brotherly bond with Wang Bai Yun, leading to a complicated love triangle.

Of course, I was rooting for the capable and joyful Emperor Chu Yuan. The scene where he visits General Su’s mansion and meets Su Duo Ting, disguised as a woman, was pure bliss. I had waited so long for that moment—when the Emperor was left speechless by her stunning beauty.

Link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XeH7rgFX8k&list=PLKeOCvmkvGwLe1ehxTDahMuSSWF8KYyKb

New The Deer and the Cauldron, directed by Zhang Ji Zhong, aired in 2010 at 6 PM on VTV3. The "Deer and the Cauldron" saga has had many adaptations based on the novel by Jin Yong. This version is the fifth television adaptation, and many of us probably still remember the charming Vi Tiểu Bảo, played by the dashing Huỳnh Hiểu Minh.

The series features a stunning lineup of beautiful women who join Vi Tiểu Bảo’s harem throughout the story. I vividly recall the scene with a wealthy man and his seven wives all living together on an island—how do they manage to live harmoniously like that? Back in the day, my favorite character was the handsome Emperor Qianlong, and as I grew older, I realized it was played by the heartthrob Chung Hán Lương. Let’s enjoy watching New The Deer and the Cauldron together!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKtJ37lJ3-E&list=PLHKZSw-oD0ERj_LjGD6dvi-2eOk-q_6Ta

Considered the second season of the hit drama The Schemes of Beauty, directed by Li Tui Chu, The Most Beautiful Women Under Heaven aired in 2012 at 6 PM. It features a stunning lineup of talented actresses like Yang Mi, Li Xiao Lu, Zhang Ding, and Dong Lei Ya, alongside the charming Taiwanese idol actor Ming Hao. The series delves into the bloody and cunning battles within the imperial harem, centering around the scandalous plot by Wu Meiniang to frame the Empress by killing her own daughter to steal the throne.

Meanwhile, Ha Lan Tan Ni enters the palace with the mission of uncovering the truth and helping the Empress, with the assistance of her childhood friend, the sorcerer Ming Song Ning, who aids her in unraveling the mystery. With twists and betrayals at every turn, this gripping drama captivated millions of viewers in Vietnam, who eagerly awaited each new episode. If you haven't seen The Most Beautiful Women Under Heaven yet, don't miss it—it’s definitely worth the watch!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZaNdVRHLd8&list=PLwSdQVCD0a_DeEJk0yeH9Hl5Ce5fMtUXf

Directed by the renowned Vu Jing, Palace: The Heart of the Jade follows an engaging time-travel plot and aired on VTV3 at 6 PM in 2013. Fans of the drama Scarlet Heart might notice similar historical settings in both series. The female lead, La Tinh Xuan, portrayed by the actress Yang Mi, is an archaeologist researching the Qing Dynasty who accidentally travels back in time. While Ruoxi in Scarlet Heart falls for the Fourth Prince, Tinh Xuan finds herself entangled with the Eighth Prince.

Historically, the Fourth Prince would eventually become Emperor Yongzheng, while the Eighth Prince would be remembered as a traitor plotting to seize the throne. Of course, history can't be rewritten, and the drama resolves this conflict with a happy ending where both Tinh Xuan and the Eighth Prince are transported to the modern era, living happily ever after. Don't miss Palace: The Heart of the Jade!

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbwD705SP6Q&t=10s

Journey to the West is a well-known classic that everyone is familiar with, airing countless times across various TV channels, from national networks to local stations, and every time, it captures the attention of many young viewers. There have been numerous adaptations of the film, both cinematic and television versions, but my personal favorite is the 1986 version of Journey to the West.

The series is based on the famous novel by Wu Cheng'en, and many are familiar with Liu Xiao Ling Tong, the actor who played the iconic Monkey King, Sun Wukong. I remember reading a story about how Liu Xiao Ling Tong, after portraying the Monkey King for so many years, started to develop monkey-like habits, such as scratching his head—talk about dedication to his craft!

Since the series has aired so many times, most people can recall the key moments from the show. It's fun to discuss with friends which of Xuanzang’s trials was the hardest or which demon was the scariest. Now, even though the actors have grown older, the characters they played remain forever etched in the hearts of generations of young viewers.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGhdUz8A4OI

The series Marrying the Wrong Man, but Finding True Love has been around for quite a while. Directed by Zhang Zi'en in 2000, it premiered in Vietnam in 2002 at 8 PM. I was just in elementary school at the time, yet I still remember it clearly. The story revolves around two young women: Du Bang Yan, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, and Li Guo Hui, the daughter of a martial artist, who were born on the same day, in the same month, and in the same year, and were married on the same day.

On their way to the wedding, a rainstorm forces both wedding parties to take refuge in a temple. Afterward, they mistakenly switch wedding parties. As a result, Guo Hui marries Young Master Qi, and Bang Yan becomes the wife of General Yuan. Over time, the two women come to love their 'wrong' husbands. By the end, both couples find happiness. Marrying the Wrong Man, but Finding True Love is truly worth watching!

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__dDFBzJe1I&list=PLWbE7X3AmCIK2zx2bH-Vpe8CRrGBkI8ol

The drama The Story of Perfect Fate, directed by Huang Wei Ming, aired on VTV3 in 2005 at 8 PM. It tells the complex love triangle between the rich and carefree young master Dai Xun Dan, the beautiful and accomplished Wan Ru Yi, and the strong-willed, humble Thường Cát Tường.

As the story progresses, we watch the male lead transform from a careless, wealthy young man who treats money like dirt, to a man who loses everything and later rebuilds himself to achieve great success. Along the way, the love stories and conspiracies unfold between the three main characters. Watching this series, most of my classmates rooted for Ru Yi, for her beauty and intelligence. But personally, I supported Cát Tường. Why?

Ru Yi was with Xun Dan when he was wealthy and in power, and later when he became a scholar. On the other hand, Cát Tường, though not as beautiful, was a wife who endured hardship and supported him through the downfall of the Dai family. I still remember the scene where Cát Tường used her martial arts skills to leap into the wedding palanquin when Xun Dan was marrying Ru Yi. It was both heart-wrenching and incredibly satisfying.

In the end, after Xun Dan wakes from a coma, he calls out Cát Tường's name, realizing that she had always been the one in his heart. The ending was satisfying and heartwarming, a beautiful conclusion for the woman who stood by her love through thick and thin. If you haven't already, you should definitely watch The Story of Perfect Fate!

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fTz_yO2so0&list=PLC7TpnEHTRS18t-Wspb0APpx0Ljje3BXY