Top 10 Most Popular and Meaningful Vietnamese Comic Genres

Football Academy is one of the first Vietnamese sports comics that caught the attention of local readers, following the success of the 'Orange' series by Phong Dương group. The comic made a strong impact with its storyline revolving around the lives of the U19 Vietnam football players and their journey at the Football Academy. Published by Nhà Xuất Bản Trẻ and HVBĐ Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Arsenal JMG, it left a lasting impression in the hearts of readers, despite only being published for about a year.

The story chronicles the struggles of young players as they begin their football careers at the academy, facing rigorous training, personal challenges, and rising to become top athletes. Their journey, filled with sacrifices and temptations, leads them to high-stakes matches. The comic vividly depicts the childhood and early careers of famous players like Công Phượng, Tuấn Anh, Xuân Trường, and Đông Triều, based on real-life stories.

DETAILS:

• Authors: Bách Lê, Bá Diệp
• Episodes: 10
• Released: 2014

The Green Fairy is a character who appears throughout all episodes of the comic series, guiding the characters toward higher moral values, teaching important life lessons about humanity, love, karma, and more. During its peak, students began drawing, writing poems, and even composing stories inspired by The Green Fairy, making her a beloved figure among schoolchildren. The comic series became a staple in students’ hands, with colorful volumes passed from one friend to another.

Created by the talented artist Nguyễn Văn Hương (pen name Kim Khánh), The Green Fairy is one of his most popular works. While Kim Khánh also authored other similar-themed stories like 'Tâm Hồn Cao Thượng', 'Gương Hiếu Thảo', and 'Nhị Thập Tứ Hiếu', The Green Fairy remains a defining masterpiece in the Vietnamese comic scene at the time.

DETAILS:

• Author: Kim Khánh
• Episodes: 24
• Released: 1991

Little Pig – Big Bull is a satirical and humorous comic series created by young artist Thành Phong, who is also known for the comic 'Sát Thủ Đầu Mưng Mủ', first published in 2012. The comic reflects distinct Vietnamese characteristics through every image and page, turning mundane issues into witty and thought-provoking stories. Under Thành Phong's creative hand, even the most boring topics become amusing narratives that leave a lasting impression on readers.

The story highlights issues like food safety and the current state of Vietnam's education system through the innocent essay of a 4th-grade boy.

Readers will laugh out loud when they see the father who raises pigs but refuses to let his child eat pork, or the vegetable seller who warns her child, 'Eating vegetables will kill you!' The boy's teacher, instead of understanding the meaning behind his naive essay, simply writes, 'Needs more sample references'. All these elements come together to form a humorous caricature of the everyday issues faced by modern Vietnamese society.

DETAILS:

• Author: Thành Phong
• Episodes: 1
• Released: 2012

The comic series Trạng Quỳnh is a collection of traditional humorous tales, vividly depicting the struggles of a rural, humble community. The character Trạng Quỳnh emerges as a larger-than-life figure who brings laughter and chaos wherever he goes. Unrestricted by power or outdated laws, his witty actions provide a refreshing break, showing the intelligence and resilience of the Vietnamese people.

Alongside Trạng Quỳnh, readers also encounter his clever and cunning nephew, Trạng Quỷnh, whose sharp mind and tricks bring joy and laughter. Together, the two characters tackle corrupt officials and help the impoverished, creating amusing and smart situations that will surely entertain readers. Initially published as 'Trạng Quỳnh' (from volumes 1 to 24), the series changed its title to Trạng Quỷnh from volume 25 onward.

DETAILS:

• Author: Kim Khánh
• Released: June 2003

Hell’s Gate is a comic by author Can Tiểu Hy. Upon its release, it quickly became popular among fans of Vietnamese comics.

In December 2016, the comic won the Silver Award at the International Manga Award, surpassing nearly 300 other works from around the world. This prestigious international award, organized annually by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recognizes the best comics from around the globe.

Hell’s Gate explores a parallel world that connects the mortal realm with the heavenly and hellish realms. Through this journey, readers are invited to reflect on life, encouraging a slower and more thoughtful approach to living, and perhaps offering a glimpse into how we can lead a better life. This profound narrative is likely what has contributed to the series' immense popularity.

DETAILS:

• Author: Can Tiểu Hy
• Episodes: 2
• Released: 2016

This is a remarkable comic, considered the fourth-year project of Can Tiểu Hy, a talented young artist whose work was shared online and received widespread praise from young people in Vietnam. The story, titled The Poem of Duyên, centers on the sacrifice of a Mông Hoa ethnic girl who gave her life to help soldiers escape the pursuit of enemies.

The comic is highly regarded for its exceptional quality, with meticulously crafted drawings, well-organized panels, and thoughtful composition. Moreover, the author cleverly incorporates elements of Vietnamese culture into the story, making it clear that this is a work by a Vietnamese artist, even though the drawing style retains some influences from Japanese manga.

DETAILS:

• Author: Can Tiểu Hy
• Episodes: 1
• Released: 2016

Mischievous Tý is one of Vietnam's most famous and beloved comics, created by artist Đào Hải. The entire series revolves around the daily lives of two characters, Tý and Tèo, from their school activities to their mischievous antics in the neighborhood. The main character, Tý, is an intelligent boy who struggles academically due to his laziness. He’s a playful, rebellious child, constantly making excuses, and is a master at arguing. In the second part of issue 9, it is revealed that his full name is Nguyễn Văn Tý. His best friend, Tèo, is a kind-hearted boy who lives in the apartment below and often joins Tý in his pranks. Unlike Tý, Tèo is humble, always eager to help others, though he too has a tendency to avoid studying. However, Tèo's laziness and love for play are no less than Tý's.

Both characters frequently engage in clever tricks to skip school and avoid getting scolded by their teachers and parents. Despite their mischievousness, Tý and Tèo are brave boys who enjoy doing good deeds. In several comic issues, they are praised for catching thieves, exposing drug addicts, stopping street thugs, and saving drowning victims.

DETAILS:
Authors: Đào Hồng Hải, Nguyễn Quang Toàn, Hoài Thu, Dương Thúy Quỳnh
Episodes: 78
Released: February 16, 2002

The Genius of Vietnam is a legendary comic that has been a cherished part of the 9X generation's childhood. It is widely regarded as the longest-running and most successful Vietnamese comic series. First published in 2002 by Phan Thị Publishing Company, it is still being released to this day. The series broke records as the longest-running comic in Vietnam. The setting of the story takes place during the Later Lê Dynasty, though the events in the comic are fictional and not directly based on historical occurrences. However, most of the central events are inspired by real Vietnamese historical tales and legends.

The Genius of Vietnam narrates the life of Lê Tí, a young prodigy and scholar of Đại Việt, along with his friends Sửu Ẹo, Dần Béo, and Cả Mẹo. Lê Tí's birth was extraordinary—he was once a learned deity in the Heavenly Palace before being reincarnated to assist Đại Việt. From a young age, he displayed extraordinary intelligence and a deep love for learning. After excelling in the three major exams of Hương, Hội, and Đình, he became the youngest ever scholar of Đại Việt. He was later recognized as a dual-national scholar by the Ming Dynasty. Even after entering government service, he often returned to his village to care for his mother and help the villagers. His wisdom, along with the support of his loyal friends, played a significant role in aiding the people.

DETAILS:

• Author: Lê Linh
• Episodes: 78
• Released: February 16, 2002

Hesman the Mighty Defender is one of the most iconic Vietnamese comic series that holds a special place in the hearts of the 8X and 9X generations. Created by artist Nguyễn Hùng Lân, this comic was inspired by the animated series *Voltron - Defender of the Universe*. The series ran from 1992 to 1996, spanning 160 issues, each containing 72 pages of gripping stories.

The plot centers around a colossal robot, Hesman, formed by the fusion of five lions, and armed with a powerful sword of light. Hesman teams up with his friends to battle evil forces, ensuring peace for the beautiful planet Arus and the universe at large. The story highlights the eternal struggle between good and evil, with good always prevailing.

Generations of readers in Vietnam have embraced this series, and it has become a nostalgic part of their childhood. At its peak, it saw print runs of 180,000 copies per issue. Hesman the Mighty Defender set a record as the longest-running comic series in Vietnam, holding the title for 16 years until it was surpassed by *The Genius of Vietnam* series.

DETAILS:

• Author: Nguyễn Hùng Lân
• Issues: 160
• First Published: July 1993

The comic series The Dragon General was one of the most talked-about works in 2014. It was a reboot of the original series by the talented team Phong Dương, who had created the first version years ago. The series gained significant attention when it successfully raised funds for its first volume, collecting over 300 million VND. Today, it's recognized as a fresh, historically-themed comic that stands out in Vietnam's comic scene.

It quickly became a cultural milestone, making waves in the publishing industry as one of the most successful crowdfunding projects in Vietnam. With a staggering 330 million VND raised, The Dragon General holds the title of the most successful crowdfunding comic project in the country to date. The story follows a fictional character, Long, and explores his connections to the Trần Dynasty’s resistance against the Mongol invasion.

DETAILS:

• Author: Phong Dương
• Issues: 4
• Release Date: November 1, 2014