Top 10 Most Popular Vietnamese TV Dramas of 2018

Film Information:

• Episodes: 72 episodes
• Genre: Psychological, Drama, Family
• Cast: NSUT Mỹ Uyên, Hồng Đăng, Hồng Diễm, Mạnh Trường, Lan Phương, Huỳnh Anh

A Lifetime of Grudges is a long-running TV drama produced by Vietnam's National TV Film Center in 2017-2018. The show adapted its script from the famous Taiwanese drama 'The Millionaire’s Bride.' It was the first series to use 4K filming technology and synchronized sound to enhance emotional expression. This family-themed psychological drama focuses on the intricate relationships within the Vu family, exploring dynamics between spouses, siblings, in-laws, and generations. The series features renowned actors from both North and South Vietnam, including NSUT Mỹ Uyên, NSND Mạnh Cường, Minh Vượng, Lan Phương, Hồng Đăng, Mạnh Trường, Hồng Diễm, as well as rising stars like Huỳnh Anh, Hạ Anh, Anh Tuấn, Lương Thanh, Kiên Hoàng, Thùy Anh, Trọng Lân, and more.

The drama aired in two parts, from December 13, 2017, to August 23, 2018, with a total of 72 episodes plus two special episodes, one titled 'The Life Ahead of Us' and the other a spin-off, 'A Lifetime of Grudges: Side Story.' Initially titled 'Love and Grudges,' the series was renamed just before its premiere. In comparison to its Taiwanese original, 'The Millionaire’s Bride,' this Vietnamese version primarily focuses on the complex relationships between the first wife, the mistress, and their children, leading to less emphasis on characters like Dung (played by Hồng Diễm) and Đăng (played by Mạnh Trường). However, Hồng Diễm shines in episode 34 with a heartbreaking scene over the loss of her child. Other actors, like Anh Tuấn (playing Bình) and Hạ Anh (playing Ngân), received mixed reviews for their performances. Nevertheless, veteran actors such as NSND Mạnh Cường, NSUT Mỹ Uyên, NSUT Thanh Quý, and others, along with newer talents like Lan Phương and Đình Tú, received praise for their exceptional roles.

Film Information:

• Episodes: 34 episodes
• Genre: Action, Crime
• Cast: Nhung Kate, Trương Nam Thành, Lý Anh Tuấn, Lan Phương

The Fate Swap is an action-crime drama directed by Trần Chí Thành. It follows Hà Linh (Nhung Kate), a bright, hardworking girl with exceptional intelligence. Born through artificial insemination from a selected professor's gene, Hà Linh's mother has always kept her origins a secret and shielded her from society's judgment. However, an unexpected accident leaves Hà Linh defenseless, and she is forced to face a harsh world, eventually becoming a notorious gang leader known as 'The White Tiger.'

In hiding from her enemies, Hà Linh assumes the identity of Trâm Anh, a high school teacher. Entering the world of teenagers, her more compassionate side is nurtured as she navigates the mischievous antics of her troubled students. Her unconventional teaching methods cause a stir in the school, but over time, she earns the affection of her students and the trust of their parents and colleagues.

While balancing her responsibilities as a teacher and a former criminal, Hà Linh’s true identity is slowly uncovered. Her enemies, determined to eliminate her, target the school and use the students as bait to draw her out. Faced with a choice between her own safety and the lives of her students, Hà Linh must decide: sacrifice herself or abandon the children who depend on her?

Film Information:

• Episodes: 36 episodes
• Genre: Psychological, Family
• Cast: Quốc Trường, Nhan Phúc Vinh, Kim Tuyến

The series *The Dream of Glory* (36 episodes) is set against the backdrop of 1930s–1940s Saigon and the Mekong Delta. It explores the contrasting lives of the poor and the rich landowners, depicting the lavish yet decadent lifestyle of the upper class, while intertwining the lives of deceptive individuals exploiting the women they manipulate. The story begins with the tragic death of a husband and mother-in-law, setting the stage for the tumultuous life of a widow. A 10-year-old girl, who witnessed her father’s sudden death due to an affair, grows up to become one of the most celebrated courtesans in Saigon.

Ba Trang, blessed with breathtaking beauty, captivates men and rises from a humble rural girl to a renowned prostitute, facing countless struggles and betrayals along the way. Her journey is one of self-destruction as she is exploited not only by others but also by her own family. The story, based on true events, features real-life figures like the famous courtesan Trần Ngọc Trà and the notorious figures of Bạch Công Tử and Hắc Công Tử, famous in Southern Vietnam. The characters highlight the rise and fall of Ba Trang and offer a glimpse into the lives of men who were part of the extravagant and morally corrupt world of the elite during this period.

Film Information:

• Episodes: 24 episodes
• Genre: Psychological, Family, Romance
• Cast: Nhã Phương, Lương Thế Thành, Nhan Phúc Vinh, Bảo Thanh, Chí Thiện

*The Love We Had* is a Vietnamese drama directed by Nguyễn Khải Anh, adapted from the Korean series *Discovery of Love* by KBS. The 24-episode series aired on VTV3 from June 11 to August 28, 2018.

The story centers around Hạ (Nhã Phương) and Sol (Bảo Thanh), two best friends approaching their 30s. Hạ, a successful designer, is about to marry the perfect man, Nam (Lương Thế Thành), but the unexpected return of her ex, Tùng (Nhan Phúc Vinh), causes her heart to waver. Caught between a secure, predictable future with Nam and the stirrings of old emotions with Tùng, Hạ faces a dilemma that many women in their 30s can relate to: the search for stability and happiness.

Meanwhile, Sol, who has always idealized the perfect husband, finds herself repeatedly disappointed in love. One day, she realizes that the one man who truly understands her is her long-time friend, Đô. *The Love We Had* explores the complexities of relationships and the choices that define a woman’s journey toward love and self-acceptance.

Film Information:

• Episodes: Currently airing
• Genre: Psychological, Family, Romance
• Cast: NSUT Chiều Xuân, Thanh Tú, Lưu Đê Ly, Mạnh Trường, Huỳnh Anh

*Running From Youth* is a series that follows the life of Minh An (Lưu Đê Ly), a character whose personal life had previously caused some controversy among viewers. However, as the show progressed, both the plot and the actors demonstrated that evaluating a film based on an actor's private life is unjust and irrelevant.

For nearly 20 years, this series has been the first to bring a university dormitory setting to the Vietnamese audience, capturing the everyday struggles and conflicts of young adults, but with fresh and unexpected twists. When the central couple, An and Phi (Huỳnh Anh), meet, it’s clear that their connection will grow into something deeper. An’s independent personality ensures that Phi will have to pursue her, but what no one expects is the complicated love triangle that ensues. Phi is related to Nam (Mạnh Trường), who is An’s first love. The emotional and tangled relationships between Phi, An, and Nam create an unpredictable and intense journey ahead.

Film Information:

• Episodes: 28
• Genre: Comedy, Romance
• Cast: Phanh Lee, Đình Tú, NSƯT Chí Trung, NS Vân Dung

In the first season of *Love and Hate*, true to its title, the couples Du (Đình Tú) and Kim (Phanh Lee), as well as bà Diễm (Vân Dung) and ông Quang (NSƯT Chí Trung), begin with intense dislike for one another, even to the point of refusing to be in the same space. However, over time, they come to understand and love each other.

In season two, the director changes the title to *Love, Then Hate* to reflect the evolution of the characters as they navigate married life. In the beginning, everyone dreams of a happy marriage, hoping that being with the one they love will guarantee a blissful life. However, marriage requires more than just love; it demands compromise, understanding, and sometimes setting aside one's pride to live in harmony.

Marriage brings with it daily struggles: financial concerns, raising children, and the small worries of life, all of which can lead to tension. The love between the young couple Du and Kim faces moments where it nearly falls apart. Meanwhile, ông Quang and bà Diễm, an older couple who have weathered previous hardships, also face humorous and difficult moments in their own marriage.

Both marriages in *Love and Hate* offer contrasting perspectives on the journey to happiness. Regardless of age or circumstances, marriage is always the ultimate test of love.

Film Information:

• Episodes: 48
• Genre: Romance, Remake
• Cast: Khả Ngân, Song Luân, Hữu Vi, Cao Thái Hà

*Descendants of the Sun* is the Vietnamese remake of the hit South Korean drama of the same name. The story revolves around the love lives and careers of young soldiers and doctors in Vietnam: Captain Duy Kiên (played by Song Luân), Doctor Hoài Phương (Khả Ngân), Sergeant Bảo Huy (Hữu Vi), and Lieutenant Minh Ngọc (Cao Thái Hà). The challenge for the Vietnamese version was to step out of the shadow of the original while staying true to the realities of military and medical life, set against the backdrop of Vietnam itself (rather than a fictional country).

The series concludes with the happy reunions of Captain Duy Kiên and Doctor Hoài Phương, and Lieutenant Minh Ngọc and Sergeant Bảo Huy, after enduring numerous separations. The story beautifully highlights the sacrifices of the young soldiers and doctors while delivering a heartwarming message through the characters’ sweet and touching journey. Even after the show ended, fans continued to express their affection for the characters, passionately rooting for the romance between Doctor Hoài Phương and Captain Duy Kiên.

Film Information:

• Episodes: 28
• Genre: Political, Action, Social
• Cast: Phương Oanh, NSUT Nguyễn Hải, Doãn Quốc Đam, Thu Quỳnh, Thanh Hương, Minh Tiệp, Trọng Lân

*Quynh the Doll* is a Vietnamese drama directed by NSUT Mai Hồng Phong, with a script written by Phạm Kim Ngân, Đặng Minh Châu, Mai Việt, and Nguyễn Thu Thủy. The story revolves around Quỳnh, a young girl tricked into human trafficking and forced into the sex trade, highlighting her struggles to survive and find a way out of her torment. It was the first Vietnamese drama rated for viewers 18 and above due to its depiction of violence and explicit content.

Episodes 1-15

• Quỳnh is a pure girl from the countryside. After her family falls apart, she runs away but is deceived and sold across the border. Desperate to escape, she is saved by a seemingly kind woman who later betrays her, selling her into the Thiên Thai brothel. There, she is trained by an older woman named Lan and becomes part of a grim cycle of abuse and exploitation. Despite her attempts to escape, Quỳnh is repeatedly caught and tortured.
• Her life becomes increasingly tragic, as she is told by Lan that in this world, one either obeys or dies. Quỳnh is sold as a rare commodity, trained in the ways of the brothel, and made to entertain customers. However, jealousy from My, another worker at the brothel, leads to more violence and punishment, crushing her dreams and pushing her deeper into despair.

Episodes 16-28

• After the brothel is raided, Quỳnh returns home, filled with rage and disillusionment. She contemplates suicide but, driven by the hope of finding her lost son, continues her journey. Eventually, she rebuilds her life and reconnects with Lan, now working in a clothing store. However, her past continues to haunt her as My seeks revenge, drawing Quỳnh and Lan back into danger. With threats from her stepfather and betrayal from My, Quỳnh's life spirals out of control once more.
• Ultimately, justice prevails: her stepfather is killed in an accident, My is arrested for drug trafficking, and those who have suffered find redemption. Quỳnh, now reunited with her son and living with Lan and their loved ones, finds peace and happiness at last, her tragic past finally laid to rest.