Top 13 Classic Vietnam War Movies

Em Bé Hà Nội is a 1974 Vietnamese film produced by Vietnam Feature Film Studio and directed by Hải Ninh. The film portrays life in Hanoi during 1972, when the US launched Operation Linebacker II, bombing North Vietnam. The story follows Ngọc Hà, a 12-year-old girl searching for her parents and younger sister, who went missing amid the devastation caused by the US B-52 bombings. She receives help from kind-hearted soldiers and eventually reunites with her sister. Director Hải Ninh first met actress Lan Hương when she was just 3 or 4 years old. In 1972, after struggling to find a suitable actress for the role of the young girl, he remembered Lan Hương and went to her home to ask if she could play the part. At the time, she was 10 years old, and this film marked her acting debut. The movie won the Golden Lotus Award at the 3rd Vietnam Film Festival, a special jury award at the 1975 Moscow International Film Festival, and an award from the Palestine Liberation Front at the 1975 Syrian International Film Festival.

Cánh Đồng Hoang is a Vietnamese film focusing on the Vietnam War, directed by Nguyễn Hồng Sến. Set in the Đồng Tháp Mười region during the war, the story follows Ba Đô and his wife, along with their young child, living in a small hut in the middle of a flooded area. They are tasked by the Vietnamese Revolution to maintain a communication line for the soldiers. The film highlights the couple's everyday life—growing rice, raising their child, catching snakes, and fishing—interspersed with scenes of US Army Huey helicopters patrolling the area in search of guerrilla fighters. When Ba Đô is hit by gunfire from a helicopter, his wife seeks revenge by shooting down the chopper. The film ends with a powerful scene where a photograph of the American pilot’s wife and child falls from his chest after he's killed, a moment that sparked debate over whether it should be cut. Despite this, it remains, allowing viewers to understand that American soldiers, like Ba Đô, were ordinary people with families, forced to leave their homes due to the war. Director Hồng Sến employs contrast in the language of cinema to convey deep humanistic values.

Alongside Hồng Sến's masterful direction and Nguyễn Quang Sáng's brilliant script, the heartfelt performances of the cast, especially Thúy An, helped create a truly artistic film.

Biệt Động Sài Gòn, directed by Long Vân, is a four-part film that depicts the daring actions of the Saigon guerrilla forces during the Vietnam War. Set against a backdrop of bombs and gunfire, the story intertwines emotional love stories, adding depth and meaning to the narrative. Released in 1986, the film became a shining example of Vietnamese cinema at the time, setting box office records and bringing actors such as Quang Thái, Thúy An, Thương Tín, Hà Xuyên, Hai Nhất, and Thanh Loan closer to the public's heart. Over three decades later, the film remains a beloved classic.

The film elevated its cast members—Thanh Loan (as Nun Huyền Trang), Thương Tín (as Sáu Tâm), and Quang Thái (as Tư Chung)—to stardom. After 30 years of screenings, re-broadcasts on television, DVD releases, and online viewership, Biệt Động Sài Gòn continues to captivate audiences, cementing its place as a quintessential film about Vietnam's April 30th liberation.

Hà Nội 12 Ngày Đêm is a Vietnamese film directed by Bùi Đình Hạc, aiming to portray the fierce airstrike campaign against Hanoi and nearby provinces during the Linebacker II bombing operation (December 18–30, 1972). This war film focuses on the heroic resistance of the people of Hanoi against the strategic B-52 bombings by the U.S. Air Force, which ultimately led to the signing of the Paris Peace Accords and brought peace to North Vietnam.

The film, Vietnam's first large-scale production using computer-generated imagery and surround sound, was crafted with great attention to detail. The film's goal was to depict a part of the 'Dien Bien Phu in the Air' battle, an intense struggle by the people of Hanoi against the B-52 bombers in December 1972. Filming began in 1997, and after completing the scenes in Vietnam by April 1999, post-production took until 2002 due to the complex special effects and sound work. Director Bùi Đình Hạc remarked on the challenges of making the film, recalling that just 3 minutes and 38 seconds of B-52 attack scenes alone cost 620 million VND!

In 2002, the film received the Encouragement Award from the Vietnam Cinema Association for Best Screenplay (before it was even completed). In 2003, it was showcased at prestigious international film festivals, including the Fukuoka Film Festival in Japan (its first overseas screening), the 48th Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Iran, and the 27th Cairo International Film Festival.

Liberation of Saigon is a historical war film produced to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam. The film portrays real historical figures such as Party General Secretary Lê Duẩn (played by NSƯT Hà Văn Trọng), General Võ Nguyên Giáp (played by Khương Đức Thuận), Southern Regional Committee Secretary Phạm Hùng (played by NSƯT Hoàng Quân Tạo), and Politburo Special Envoy Lê Đức Thọ (played by Dương Trọng Hiếu), among others.

Liberation of Saigon is a Vietnamese cinematic work directed by Long Vân, created by the Saigon Giải Phóng film studio to mark the historic event of April 30, 1975. Based on the literary work *Saigon - The Epic Song* by writer Hoàng Hà, the film condenses certain parts but still captures the pivotal moments in the Liberation Army's advance into Saigon. The film depicts intense, realistic combat scenes without special effects. Director Long Vân dedicated 13 years to complete this monumental film, which had a production budget of 12.5 billion VND. Liberation of Saigon stands as a poignant and heroic portrayal of Vietnam's great victory in 1975.

The film tells a small story within the context of war. Rather than competing with other war films in terms of grand military campaigns or large-scale battles, director Bùi Tuấn Dũng's team focuses on the intimate details and personal emotions of a young soldier, Hoàng An, as he experiences the realities of war. One advantage of a historical war film is the potential for deeply moving moments, but it’s also a challenge for filmmakers to avoid clichés in order to capture those rare emotional moments from the audience. Centering on the character of a postal soldier—a new and unique role in Vietnamese war cinema—The Path creates a new narrative space that thoroughly explores this character type. Sensitive viewers will surely feel the emotional weight as they witness the heartfelt moments surrounding letters from home sent to the front lines.

In addition to the poignant and moving love letters, The Path also develops the character of Hoàng An, a young soldier who sets out to become a heroic commando in his lover’s eyes but is instead assigned to deliver letters. The stories surrounding this soldier inject humor into the film, overcoming the dryness often found in war-related works. Despite having a modest budget of just over 1 billion VND (compared to the 12.5 billion VND spent on *Liberation of Saigon*), the film was praised by Cục trưởng Điện ảnh Nguyễn Phúc Thảnh as "a notable effort by the film crew."

The White Silk Dress (Vietnamese title: Áo lụa Hà Đông) is a 135-minute Vietnamese war, psychological, and romantic film directed by Lưu Huỳnh, released in 2006. The film stars actress and model Trương Ngọc Ánh. It won the 2006 Golden Kite Award for "Best Feature Film."

The film tells a deeply emotional story of Gù and Dần’s family during the period of rural uprisings against the government. Afterward, the couple moves south to make a living. Their most prized possessions are a white dress and a wedding gown given to her by Gù. Upon arriving in the south, Gù and Dần struggle to survive, taking on various jobs. Dần even has to swallow her pride and work as a wet nurse for an elderly Chinese man, which strains her relationship with Gù. Despite their poverty, the family is full of love and warmth. Their life is simple, with meals of porridge and potatoes, but filled with the sounds of children’s laughter. The sacrifices of the parents inspire their daughter, Hội An, to write an essay that becomes the best in her class, with the central theme being the white dress, which carries memories of hardship and love. As she reads her essay to the class, a horrific explosion tears through the room, forever erasing the familiar faces of those she loved. Upon hearing news that her school was bombed, Dần rushes to find her child, frantic with panic, only to scream in agony as she discovers her beloved child among the innocent victims of the brutal war.

War’s cruelty claims An’s life. However, the suffering doesn’t end there. In an attempt to collect firewood to make a new dress for her second child, Ngô, during a heavy rainstorm, Dần is swept away by floodwaters. Natural disasters take her life, and again, war steals another family member. In an evacuation, Gù, while trying to protect the precious white silk dress of his wife and daughter, dies in the flames of war. The story ends with a peaceful Vietnam in 1975, the dream An once asked her father: "Dad, is peace beautiful?" But she never lived to see it.

The White Silk Dress achieved great success, winning 5 Golden Kite Awards in 2006, including: Best Feature Film; Best Cinematography: Trinh Hoan, Nguyễn Tranh; Best Sound: Des O'Neill; Best Director: Lưu Huỳnh; Best Actor: Quốc Khánh. At the 2006 Busan International Film Festival, it won the Audience Choice Award for Director Lưu Huỳnh. Moreover, it represented Vietnamese cinema in the 80th Academy Awards nominations for Best Foreign Language Film.

Don't Burn (Vietnamese title: Đừng đốt) is a 2009 historical drama film directed and written by Đặng Nhật Minh. Based on the famous diary of female doctor and martyr Đặng Thùy Trâm, the film made a significant impact upon its release. It explores the deep inner life of Dr. Trâm (played by Minh Hương), a compassionate military doctor, reflecting not only her beauty of spirit but also the courage and resilience of the Vietnamese youth during the war. The film also portrays the generous spirit of the Vietnamese people, demonstrating how love can heal historical wounds. With its raw and authentic depiction, Don't Burn carries immense national significance.

The film premiered at the 19th Fukuoka Film Festival in Japan, where it won the Audience Choice Award. It was released in Vietnam at the end of April 2009 and later showcased at the ASEM International Film Festival in Hanoi in May 2009. Don't Burn won the Golden Lotus Award at the 16th Vietnam Film Festival in 2009, and six categories at the 2010 Golden Kite Awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Actress (Minh Hương), Best Director (People's Artist Đặng Nhật Minh), Best Art Director (People's Artist Phạm Quốc Trung), Best Sound (People's Artist Bành Bắc Hải), and Audience Award. The film was also selected to represent Vietnam in the Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Scent of Burnt Grass is a Vietnamese film in the social, psychological, and war genre. The film is set during the 1972 "Red Summer" campaign, focusing on the Battle of Quảng Trị. The main characters are four students from Hanoi University: Hoàng, Thành, Thăng, and Long, who are called up for military service in 1971, quickly trained, and sent to fight in Quảng Trị in 1972. There, Thành, Thăng, and Long sacrifice their lives, while Hoàng is lucky enough to survive. The film is told through the memories of Hoàng as he revisits the battlefield years later.

The Scent of Burnt Grass was produced by Vietnam Feature Film Studio, with a script by poet Hoàng Nhuận Cầm, based on the diary of martyr Nguyễn Văn Thạc, titled "Forever 20." The film began shooting in December 2010 and was specially selected to participate in the 17th Vietnam Film Festival in Tuy Hòa, Phú Yên, where it was introduced at the opening ceremony and won the Silver Lotus Award. On March 17, 2012, the film received four Golden Kite Awards, including Best Feature Film, Best Music (composer Đỗ Hồng Quân), Best Screenplay (Hoàng Nhuận Cầm), and Best Cinematography (People's Artist Phạm Thanh Hà). It was chosen to open the Vietnam Film Week commemorating the national holidays in April-May 2012 and was later shown during the Vietnam War Martyrs' Memorial Week in July 2012.

While there were some limitations in creating the historical setting, the film is praised for its profound humanity, conveying the aspirations, emotions, and honoring the sacrifices of the young generation during the resistance war.

The Legend Makers (Vietnamese title: Những người viết huyền thoại) is an action-war film directed by Bùi Tuấn Dũng, released in 2013. The film is set during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and follows the mission of the 556th team, led by General Dinh (played by People's Artist Hoàng Hải), to construct a fuel pipeline running from the northern border to southern Vietnam. The story is based on the real-life figure, General Đinh Đức Thiện.

The plot revolves around the dangerous task of transporting fuel through dense tropical forests filled with land mines, the constant threat of explosions as supply trucks are bombed, and the numerous deaths and hardships faced by the soldiers. Each barrel of gasoline reaching the battlefield costs the lives of countless soldiers. Against the backdrop of perilous jungles, the film contrasts the relentless courage and unyielding spirit of the soldiers. The movie captivates with stunning cinematographic landscapes and poignant romantic scenes that add depth to the emotional journey of the viewers.

Together on the Same River is a 1959 film directed by Nguyễn Hồng Nghi and Phạm Hiếu Dân (also known as Phạm Kỳ Nam), produced by Vietnam Feature Film Studio. It was the first feature film in Northern Vietnam post-1954 and the first film of Revolutionary Vietnamese Cinema. The movie premiered on July 20, 1959.

The narrative unfolds amid the ongoing Vietnam War, with the 1954 Geneva Accords establishing the Ben Hai River as the temporary division line between North and South Vietnam. The protagonists, Hoài and Vận, were in love since the First Indochina War. After 1954, they planned to marry, but when the groom’s boat crossed to the southern bank to fetch the bride, southern police stopped them. Their love was abruptly halted.

Together on the Same River addresses a critical issue of the time, the painful division of Vietnam. This theme resonated across both North and South in various art forms, including songs like “Câu hò bên bến Hiền Lương” by Hoàng Hiệp, “Gửi người em gái” by Đoàn Chuẩn, and “Chuyến đò vĩ tuyến” by Lam Phương. The film won the prestigious Golden Lotus Award at the 2nd National Film Festival in 1970.

The Rising Wind, directed by Huy Thành, is adapted from the play by Đào Hồng Cẩm. This was the first film of Revolutionary Vietnamese Cinema to depict the Vietnam War, set in the Southern region. During the period of American occupation, Phương's family was divided: her sister Vân joined the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, while Phương served as a lieutenant in the Saigon government’s army. After years of separation, the two sisters reunite, but the joy is short-lived as conflict soon arises. Upon discovering that Phương is a Saigon officer, Vân expels her, and thus begins a tragic series of events.

Vân and her son are taken to a concentration camp. There, she joins the resistance, is imprisoned, and witnesses her son’s death at the hands of the enemy, causing her to go mad. Mistaken for insane, she gains more freedom to act within the prison. Upon her release, Vân convinces Phương and several soldiers from the Republic of Vietnam army to join the Liberation Front by using reason, actions, and emotion—leading to the sabotage of strategic hamlets and the killing of American advisers. The film concludes with Phương kneeling by the river to wash his face under the warm sunlight, cheered on by the people, while his sister smiles tenderly in the background.

The film deeply moved audiences across generations, and The Rising Wind is regarded as a source of inspiration and spirit for the national liberation struggle, especially in the context of South Vietnam's liberation in 1975. It won the Golden Lotus Award for Best Feature Film at the first Vietnam Film Festival.

The 17th Parallel: Days and Nights is a 1972 film directed by Hải Ninh. This is a classic example of Revolutionary Vietnamese Cinema from the period of the Vietnam War. The screenplay, co-written by Hải Ninh and Hoàng Tích Chỉ, took five years to complete and became one of the first two-part scripts in revolutionary Vietnamese cinema.

Following the 1954 Geneva Accords, the Ben Hai River became the military demarcation line dividing Vietnam into two zones. The lives of the people on both sides of the river were profoundly affected, with many families having members living under different political regimes. After her husband joined the North, Dịu remained in the South. When the Communist Party's local branch secretary Thuận was killed by the South Vietnamese forces, Dịu took his place. This led to her repeated imprisonment by the Republic of Vietnam forces.

The film remains a timeless classic for its portrayal of the heroic struggles of the Vietnamese people, exemplified by Dịu's unwavering courage. She sacrificed her personal happiness for the liberation of her nation. The 17th Parallel: Days and Nights won the World Peace Council Award and Best Actress Award for Trà Giang at the 1973 Moscow International Film Festival.