Top 10 Vietnamese Romantic Films You Must Watch

'Wings of the Air' is a film directed by Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp, starring Thùy Anh and Hoàng Hà, along with actors Trần Bảo Sơn, Cao Dương Dương, Mai Hương, Chiều Xuân, Diệu Thuần, and Thanh Duy Idol. The film explores themes of love, sexuality, and teenage loneliness through the story of a young girl who is pregnant. Hoàng Hà delivers a natural performance as the rebellious young man, while singer Thanh Duy Idol impresses with his portrayal of a transgender character facing a troubled life. The raw, gritty cinematography captures the noisy, dark streets of Hanoi and the claustrophobic atmosphere of slums. Some dreamlike sequences provide a striking contrast, adding a unique touch to the film. 'Wings of the Air' won the 'Best Film' award at the Venice International Film Critics’ Week in September 2014. Beyond its critical acclaim, the film stands as a successful example of low-budget independent cinema in Vietnam, with the director and team largely funding the project through film festivals and art grants, without much budget for promotion.

'Falling in Love' is a psychological drama directed by Việt Trinh, starring Đức Hải as Huy, Khánh My as Uyên, and Việt Trinh herself as Vy, Huy's wife. The film revolves around a married couple on the brink of divorce due to the interference of a third party. The wife, overwhelmed with anger but also containing her emotions, tries to salvage her family’s happiness. She proposes a challenge to her husband: each day, he must carry her into their room as he did when they first got married, in a desperate attempt to rekindle their love. 'Falling in Love' marks Việt Trinh's return to the screen after nearly a decade of absence.

This project marks a collaboration between the Vietnam Cinema Department and several private film studios. With a budget of nearly 20 billion VND, it ranks among the largest film projects in Vietnam, especially for a psychological drama. The young cast, including Trần Thịnh Vinh (Thiều), Bùi Trọng Khang (Tường), and Lâm Thanh Mỹ (Mận), helped create a beautiful, poetic childhood world under the direction of Victor Vũ.

The story follows the rivalry, challenges, and jealousy between two brothers in rural Vietnam during the late 1980s. The film captures the nostalgic feelings of an expanding middle class in a modernizing country.

Upon its release in October 2015, the film became a nationwide phenomenon, drawing massive audiences and earning 80 billion VND at the box office within a month.

'To Be Continued 2' (formerly known as 'Waiting for the Next Day') is a spin-off/sequel to the 2010 Vietnamese romantic comedy 'To Be Continued'. Both films were directed by Charlie Nguyễn. The cast includes Thái Hòa, Diễm My 9x, Quang Sự, Huy Khánh, Linh Sơn, Thu Trang, Hoàng Phúc, and Yaya Trương Nhi. The film achieved tremendous success at the box office.

The plot follows Phạm Hương Hội (played by Thái Hòa), who, four years after the first film, has become a successful businessman and returns to Vietnam to build a massive shopping center, Mega Malls. During this time, he develops feelings for artist Nam (Quang Sự), who helped him escape from a group of robbers. However, Nam secretly falls for Thư Lê (Diễm My 9x), the hotel manager. Soon, Hội's business collapses, freezing all of his assets.

Following the advice of a fortune teller, Hội decides to stop pursuing his feelings for Nam in order to regain his wealth, as the fortune teller claimed that he could only choose one: love or money.

'To Be Continued 2' grossed over 100 billion VND, becoming the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time at the box office as of January 2015.

'The Guy from That Year' is a 2014 Vietnamese film directed by Nguyễn Quang Huy, starring Sơn Tùng M-TP, Hari Won, Phạm Quỳnh Anh, Ngô Kiến Huy, and Hứa Vĩ Văn. Inspired by the life of the late singer Wanbi Tuấn Anh, the film follows the final days of a young star battling cancer. Sơn Tùng M-TP plays the lead role. After its release, there was controversy over the film's plot, with some viewers arguing that it did not closely resemble the real-life story of Wanbi. However, Director Nguyễn Quang Huy clarified that he was merely inspired by Wanbi’s story to craft his own film.

Despite lacking a fresh take on the story or cinematic style, the film resonated with audiences. The emotional tale of a young talent’s tragic death and the portrayal of the behind-the-scenes world of the entertainment industry captivated viewers. The film grossed 70 billion VND when it hit theaters in January 2014.

Sơn Tùng M-TP's natural performance earned him the 'Promising Actor' award at the 2015 Cánh Diều Awards. The film was later invited to several film festivals across Southeast Asia.

'You Are My Grandma' is a Vietnamese remake of the popular Korean film 'Miss Granny'. Directed by Phan Gia Nhật Linh, the film showcases his creative talent in detail, visual direction, and cinematic editing. The cast spans three generations, featuring young and promising talents like Miu Lê, Ngô Kiến Huy, Hứa Vĩ Văn, Hari Won, and Thu Trang, alongside seasoned actors such as Hồng Ánh, Đức Khuê, and iconic veterans like NSƯT Minh Đức, NSƯT Thanh Nam, and NSƯT Kim Xuân.

The plot centers on bà Đại (played by NSƯT Minh Đức), a strict, demanding elderly woman who dotes on her only son, Quang (Đức Khuê), a university professor. However, her golden years are marred by conflicts with her daughter-in-law (Hồng Ánh) and friends, while unresolved issues from her turbulent past resurface. In a desperate moment, a magical transformation occurs, turning bà Đại into a youthful woman in her twenties. Seizing this second chance, she decides to make the most of her 'beautiful dream' to fulfill her unaccomplished wishes. The young woman Thanh Nga (Miu Lê) disrupts the lives of several people, including her rebellious rock singer nephew Ngô Trí Tùng (Ngô Kiến Huy), music producer Mạnh Đức (Hứa Vĩ Văn), and her old friend Bé (NSƯT Thanh Nam), who has long been in love with bà Đại.

After more than two months of box office dominance, by February 22, 2016, the film earned over 102 billion VND, officially making it the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time at that point, surpassing 'To Be Continued 2' (101 billion VND) that had held the record since early 2015.

The film is directed by Lê Thanh Sơn, produced by Charlie Nguyễn, starring Kiều Minh Tuấn, Kaity Nguyễn, Will, Châu Bùi, and Quang Minh. It revolves around the peculiar relationship between middle-aged playboy Hoàng (Kiều Minh Tuấn) and high school student Linh Đan (Kaity Nguyễn).

After being betrayed by her boyfriend, Linh Đan plans a revenge plot. She targets an older man to make her ex regret his actions. Disguising herself as a seductive woman, she lures Hoàng into a night together, revealing the truth about her age the following day. Using a compromising video of the two, she forces Hoàng to pretend to be her boyfriend in front of her classmates. As they navigate awkward situations, both begin to develop genuine feelings for each other.

After a month in theaters, by May 29, 2017, the film grossed 169 billion VND, selling over 2.3 million tickets, surpassing the earnings of 'Kong: Skull Island' at 168.9 billion VND.

'The Endless Field' is a film directed by Nguyễn Phan Quang Bình, starring Dustin Nguyễn (as Út Võ), Đỗ Thị Hải Yến (as Sương), Võ Thanh Hòa (as Điền, Út Võ’s son), Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc (as Nương, Út Võ’s daughter), and Tăng Thanh Hà (as Út Võ’s wife). The film began shooting in 2009 and was released in 2010. It is based on the novel of the same name by Nguyễn Ngọc Tư.

The film opens with a scene of a group of women engaging in a public confrontation in a riverside village. The woman being confronted, Sương (Đỗ Thị Hải Yến), is a sex worker accused of seducing another woman’s husband. Điền (Võ Thanh Hòa), a compassionate boy, intervenes and rescues Sương, taking her back to his home, a boat on the river. Along with him are his father, Út Võ (Dustin Nguyễn), and his sister Nương (Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc). 'The Endless Field' won a screenplay award at the 2009 Busan International Film Festival.

'Gentle' is a film by Dustin Nguyễn, following his 2013 project 'The Burning Buddha Man'. The screenplay is adapted from a short story by the renowned author Fyodor Dostoevsky. Directed by Lê Văn Kiệt, this film is a carefully crafted adaptation with stellar performances from Dustin Nguyễn (as Thiện) and Thanh Tú (as Linh).

The story revolves around the marriage between a 16-year-old girl named Linh and Thiện, a man who runs a pawn shop. After several visits to his shop, Thiện becomes infatuated with Linh. He marries her to free her from the grasp of her two greedy aunts, but their marriage is far from happy.

Although the film is titled 'Gentle', viewers will experience a complex range of emotions, blending love with sorrow. Dustin Nguyễn's performance stands out as a new milestone in his career, similar to his roles in 'The Endless Field' and 'The Blood of Heroes'.

'Bi, Don't Be Afraid' is directed by Phan Đăng Di and features performances from Hoa Thúy (as the aunt), Kiều Trinh (as the mother), NSND Trần Tiến (as the grandfather), Hà Phong (as the father), and young Phan Thành Minh (as Bi). The film portrays the life of a family living in Hanoi, dealing with their own unique struggles. The story truly begins when Bi’s grandfather returns home to live with the family after many years of separation. His arrival brings both excitement and confusion to Bi, but it does not seem to affect his son and daughter at all. The unmarried aunt spends her days teaching and starts a relationship with a man she was set up with through matchmaking. The father drowns in endless drinking sessions, evading his responsibilities. Meanwhile, the mother cares for her father with cold stones, silently enduring her husband's neglect. The private burdens and joys of each family member gradually unfold, revealing a complex mixture of joy, sorrow, and hidden, poignant emotions.

Having won the Outstanding Asian Project award at the 2007 Pusan International Film Festival and been selected to participate in L'Atelier, organized by the Cannes Film Festival's Cinefondation, 'Bi, Don't Be Afraid' is an exemplary independent film. It successfully sought funding from various local and international sponsors to bring the director’s vision to life.