Top 15 Timeless Vietnamese School Movies

The Sun Gate is one of the most iconic Vietnamese films that captured the hearts of young audiences. Thanks to this film, actors like Lương Thế Thành, Nguyệt Ánh, Lê Bê La, Tú Vi, and Hòa Hiệp rose to fame and gained widespread recognition.

The Sun Gate follows the lively lives of five witty university students who live in a house at the end of a narrow alley, sharing a space with six charming girls who reside in an attic adorned with morning glory vines. The film portrays the ups and downs of student life, covering topics like cohabitation, tutoring, family conflicts, and the challenges of student life in a humorous yet realistic way.

Aired on HTV in 2010, The Sun Gate became the most beloved TV show of the year, re-broadcast numerous times and attracting a massive fanbase. The series became a stepping stone for young actors such as Tú Vi, Lê Bê La, and Lương Thế Thành, who grew closer to the audience.

The Sun Gate is a perfect blend of laughter and tears, and the natural, relatable performances by the cast contributed greatly to the film's success.

The 26-episode series, directed by Ngô Quang Hải and edited by Phan Đăng Di, delves into the dynamics of school relationships, from parental concern for their children to the pressures students face in their academic lives.

Chít and Pi centers around two characters with contrasting personalities: Chít (Lê Bảo Hân), strong-willed and outspoken, and Pi (Lê Bảo Trân), gentle and reserved. By chance, they end up in the same class, 10A6, a group of mischievous and talkative students, and the two girls quickly become best friends.

One day, the two girls discover that Chít only has her mother, while Pi only has her father. The two devise a plan to bring their single parents together. But how can they unite such different personalities—Chít's free-spirited, colorful mother and Pi's meticulous, successful father? And once the parents become a couple, the girls must face the many challenges that arise in their new blended family.

The show is filled with youthful energy, humor, and a touch of romance. The lively and fresh atmosphere of the series is thanks to the direction of the experienced Ngô Quang Hải (who previously found success with *Chuyện của Pao*), along with the contribution of talented young actors and filmmakers, including Nguyễn Hoàng Điệp, who directed the first part of *Bộ Tứ 10A8*.

The 10A8 Quartet revolves around the lives of four characters: Phan Linh, La La, Mai Lâm, and Đô Đô. Each character has a unique personality, yet they share a close bond.

One is clumsy and too trusting, another is forgetful and childish, always carrying a mini sewing machine wherever she goes, one is a tomboy with a strong character, and the last is a money-driven, business-savvy guy who’s stingy and often picks on his younger sister. The show vividly portrays family dynamics, friendships, the concerns of youth, and early-life experiences in society.

The 10A8 Quartet is a sitcom that highlights the school life of the 9x generation, filled with both joyful and challenging moments, viewed through a humorous lens. The series consists of many relatable, everyday stories of a group of young friends, with amusing and familiar scenarios.

This show depicts the ups and downs of school life, filled with pranks and life lessons that are meaningful and thought-provoking. The three main characters, each with distinct personalities, form a trio that brings endless laughter to the audience. What sets The Kaleidoscope apart from other school-themed shows is the massive fanbase that the original book series already had.

The Kaleidoscope marks a golden era in Vietnamese television, when students eagerly awaited the summer to catch an episode, or felt disappointed when they missed one. Each episode follows the quirky adventures of three schoolmates—Long (Vũ Long), Quý (Ngọc Trai), and Hạnh (Anh Đào)—with amusing and lively situations.
The show is an adaptation of the works of renowned writer Nguyễn Nhật Ánh and is one of the few school dramas to be aired on national television.

The series highlights the mischievous and hilarious antics of the trio—Tiểu Long, Quý "Ròm", and Hạnh "Cận"—while offering valuable life lessons along the way, providing entertainment and wisdom in equal measure.

12A and 4H is the second adaptation based on the novel *Vĩnh Biệt Mùa Hè* (previously adapted into a feature film of the same name). Upon its release, the film received a warm reception from audiences and quickly became a classic that defined the childhoods of those born in the late 70s and early 80s.

The story is set at Marie Curie High School in Ho Chi Minh City, where class 12A is entering its final year. Within this class, there is a group called 4H, consisting of four girls whose names all start with the letter H: Hằng (the class president), Hạ (the youth union secretary), Hoa, and Hân. Alongside them are Long, a poor boy; Thiện, the son of a police colonel who just moved to the city; Ngôn, a spoiled rich kid who is lazy, rebellious, and disrespectful to teachers; the *Bốn Mùa* group (often teased as the *Ngũ Quỷ*) led by Ngôn; and Minh, the new class teacher who is also a poet.

Along with the first stirrings of love among the students, Teacher Minh faces the challenge of managing a class with a mix of obedient and rebellious students, each with their own personality and issues.

When talking about Vietnamese films that explore student life, one cannot miss The Sky Ahead. This heartfelt creation by director Đỗ Thanh Hải, released in 2001, captivated a wide audience, especially the younger generations of students, when it first aired.

The series centers on the lives of a group of impoverished students living together in a small dorm, sharing stories about their work, friendships, and romantic experiences. Each character comes from a different background and possesses unique traits, but life brings them together at pivotal moments, allowing them to better understand and empathize with one another. The show paints a realistic and poignant picture of the lives of college students living away from home, sharing a dorm in the early 21st century.

Though life as a student is tough, it’s filled with small joys. The story follows three young women—Nguyệt, Thương, and Nhung—each with a different personality and background, but all united by the same struggles to make ends meet and navigate life’s challenges.

The film tells the story of a group of mischievous yet intelligent 10th-grade students called the "Eight Trigrams Group". Their young teacher, Hoài An (played by Hồ Ngọc Hà), quickly captures the hearts of her students and becomes their idol.

The movie provides a humorous take on the natural inclination of young people to have idols. It shows that idolization doesn't come from lectures, but from a unique personality that earns the respect and admiration of the students. A fan club called "The Hoài An Admirers" is formed, and they constantly follow and support their teacher. The group even plans a campaign to find her a romantic partner. Through the playful and adorable idolization, the atmosphere of learning becomes livelier and more engaging. The film is light-hearted and cheerful, yet it deeply portrays the emotional complexity of adolescence.

The film has been praised as one of the rare Vietnamese productions that effectively explores the theme of student life, and was even highlighted by film critic Hoài Nam of *Tuổi Trẻ* newspaper in his list of '5 Reasons to Watch *Operation Right Heart*'. This role also stands out as one of the few acting opportunities for singer Hồ Ngọc Hà.

Career Path is a film that celebrates the active, determined, and ambitious spirit of youth. The main characters in the film are all young intellectuals, each choosing their own path in life, sometimes paying a high price for their choices.

The eight main characters have known each other since childhood. Their relationships involve both friendship and romance, with occasional conflicts arising from differing lifestyles and beliefs. However, despite these challenges, their friendship endures, and they continue to support one another. In Career Path, viewers can feel the hardships and struggles of life, as well as empathize with the young people who make mistakes along the way.

When the first season of the TV series Career Path aired, viewers were hooked, eagerly following the dramatic developments surrounding a group of recent university graduates facing the crossroads of life after graduation.

Some of them prioritize their careers, determined to secure a solid position and prove themselves, while others pursue the call of love. But no matter the path, their beautiful friendship remains, helping them through the toughest times.

This series follows an 18-year-old girl named July Miu, who is brought back from England to Vietnam by her father to attend a private high school in Ho Chi Minh City. Far from being shy or passive, Miu quickly adapts to her new environment thanks to her intelligence and quick wit. Boldly, she asks the teacher to make her the class president, surprising everyone around her.

From then on, Miu leads her classmates to perform better in their studies, balancing work and play, which leads to many hilarious and sometimes awkward situations. She forms a close-knit group of six friends: Hùng, Nam, Bắc, Tuyết, Mai, and Ngọc.

Unlike typical TV series that follow a continuous plot, Angels in White presents a unique approach, with each episode telling a standalone story revolving around the issues faced by students, all resolved in unexpected yet convincing ways.

What sets this series apart is its primary focus on the classroom, which plays a central role, as it represents the most important environment for teenagers. The characters in the show are well-behaved, each with a strong personality, but all are innocent and pure. None of the characters are negatively portrayed for the sake of drama; all mistakes made are simply part of growing up.

The 1997 TV series *Xin Hãy Tin Em* revolves around the lives of a group of students from rural areas living in the dormitories of Hanoi University of General Studies. The focal point of the story is the relationship between the rebellious and troublemaking yet kind-hearted student, Hoai 'Thát-chơ'—played by actress Lệ Hằng—and Phong, the 'vagabond' student, portrayed by Lê Vũ Long. This landmark film by director Đỗ Thanh Hải is considered one of the best depictions of student life in Vietnam's film history. It successfully captures the living conditions, thoughts, feelings, and aspirations of the youth during that time with relatable, both humorous and emotional, storytelling, as well as remarkable performances from its cast. Though it is just a 3-episode series, *Xin Hãy Tin Em* paints a vivid picture of the colorful and diverse student life, showcasing a wide range of emotions from joy and happiness to despair and hopelessness. The film leaves a lasting impression, especially in its portrayal of Hoai 'Thát-chơ' and Phong's love story. Initially tough and rebellious, Hoai transforms into a gentler, more feminine person after meeting Phong, a music student. However, their love story does not end in happiness.

Produced by the Ho Chi Minh City Television in 2007, the TV series *KTX* by director Châu Huế garnered significant attention and support from viewers upon its release. The script was inspired by the vibrant and dynamic lives of contemporary youth. The series follows the academic and work life of a group of young people from all over the country. Over 65 episodes, the show portrays the lives of students in a dormitory (KTX) through the characters: Kiên, Thanh, Trinh, and Xuân—four individuals from different regions who come to Ho Chi Minh City to study and work. Their quest for a better life pushes each character into different circumstances, and each chooses their own way to live. 'Young people with pure and innocent perspectives entering adulthood will face many difficulties and challenges. Some will fall, while others will rise through determination and willpower.' This is the message that *KTX* aims to convey to its audience. The series stars a talented cast including Quỳnh Anh, Kinh Quốc, Lê Phương, Diễm Quỳnh, Trang Nhung, and Mai Phương.

*Thứ Ba Học Trò* revolves around a private high school class, 12A1, which consists of 40 mischievous and unruly students. Because of their constant troublemaking, the teachers and parents have nicknamed the class 'The 40 Bandits'. When Mr. Tuấn is assigned to be the new class teacher after the previous teacher leaves for maternity leave, he is quickly overwhelmed by the chaos. The students discover that Mr. Tuấn and teacher Thư Cầm are in a romantic relationship, and they take every opportunity to tease and disrupt the couple. Amidst the challenges of teaching these unruly students, Mr. Tuấn gradually realizes that the root cause of their rebellious behavior lies in the lack of parental involvement. Despite their wealth and success, the students' parents are too focused on their careers and neglect their children's emotional needs. *Thứ Ba Học Trò*, with its witty and playful scenarios, captivated many viewers with its humorous portrayal of the struggles between teachers and their students.

*Nhật Ký Vàng Anh* was a popular sitcom among teens when it aired. The show depicted the everyday lives of high school students, with the central character being Vàng Anh. At this stage of adolescence, Vàng Anh, like her friends, begins to explore social relationships. They face numerous doubts, dilemmas, and challenges. Vàng Anh shares her thoughts, feelings, and personal struggles in her diary, which she treats as a close confidante. The series was split into two parts, both of which received significant attention from the youth audience. However, during the airing of the second season, the show was abruptly halted due to a scandal involving the actress Hoàng Thùy Linh, leaving fans disappointed and saddened by its abrupt end.

*Gọi Giấc Mơ Về* is one of the most beloved school dramas among viewers. From its very first episodes, the show won the audience's hearts with its lively, humorous, and emotionally touching storyline. The main character is Phụng, a clumsy, awkward, and somewhat naïve young woman. Despite her struggles with academics, Phụng is incredibly kind-hearted. She secretly admires Minh, a senior at her school. However, it is only later that she realizes her true feelings for Quân, a friend who has always been by her side, sharing both her joys and sorrows. The series is divided into two parts: the first half captures the youthful and comedic days of school, while the second part focuses on the characters' journey of growing up and maturing.