Vietnamese summer movies 2025: A colorful picture

Not only do they invest heavily in technology and production, this year's works also bring many innovative efforts in storytelling, bringing new hopes to the big screen.

Scene from the movie "Ut Lan: Oan linh chua co" - a promising horror movie.

Exciting Vietnamese film project

Dedicated to children, there are two 3D animated works that promise to stir up the box office: “De Men: Adventure to the Swamp” (released on May 30) and “Trang Quynh Nhi: Legend of the Taurus” (scheduled to release on June 20). While “De Men: Adventure to the Swamp” attracts attention for its re-enactment of the familiar fairy tale world through a modern fantasy lens with a blend of environmental messages and folklore, “Trang Quynh Nhi: Legend of the Taurus” is a journey imbued with Vietnamese identity in a Northern village, where the boy Quynh and the magical buffalo Taurus discover wonders together.

The horror genre continues to receive heavy investment this year with two notable projects. “Under the Lake” (released June 6) by director Tran Huu Tan exploits the element of doppelgangers and the legend of the death stone lake, opening up a creepy and curious space. Meanwhile, “Ut Lan: Oan linh ghe cu” (scheduled to be released June 20) chooses to exploit the spiritual material from the legend of “ghost ghe cu”, combining folk elements with a humane message, condemning backward customs and promoting people’s desire to live.

The youth school film genre also has a prominent representative with the film "The Last Wish" - an emotional adaptation from Korea but Vietnamized with its own unique characteristics about school culture, friendship and strong desire to live.

In addition, “Mang me di bo”, a Vietnamese-Korean cooperation project released on August 1, promises to bring tears to the audience with a touching story about mother-child love, gathering famous actors from the two countries. Also in the family drama genre, the project “Cuc vang cua ngoai” directed by Khuong Ngoc is expected to be released to the audience in October. Although not much has been revealed about the content, the film has attracted attention thanks to the profound message “Ngoaai wait for me, when I grow up, I will adopt grandma”.

“De Men: Adventure to the Swamp” - a 3D animated film for children highly appreciated for its special effects and pure Vietnamese elements.

The promise of a new approach

The notable point of Vietnamese cinema in the summer of 2025 is the commitment to previously unexplored topics, as well as new approaches to each familiar genre.

The animated film genre is asserting its own position with products that are deeply Vietnamese. From the image of the village of Lay Loi - where De Men and De Trui live - to the sacred buffalo Kim Nguu, filmmakers not only tell stories with techniques but also convey profound cultural values. Meritorious Artist Trinh Lam Tung, director of the film "Trang Quynh Nhi: The Legend of Kim Nguu" affirmed: "We want Vietnamese children to grow up with familiar characters, with Vietnamese soul and spirit, not just watching foreign animations".

Based on the famous work of writer To Hoai, but director and screenwriter Mai Phuong did not adapt the entire original story, but the film "De Men: Adventure to Xom Lay Loi" is like a spin-off. Made in three years, with 200 skilled personnel, the film is highly appreciated for its beautiful images and techniques. The producer incorporated many elements related to Vietnamese culture such as costumes with Ao Tu Than, Ao The, Turban, and the space of Xom Lay Loi with vivid landscapes of mountains, rivers, and tea hills. According to data from Box Office, an independent box office monitoring unit, the film sold more than 68,000 tickets on the weekend of June 1, earning 6.28 billion VND.

No longer just a simple "scare", Vietnamese horror films are gradually becoming more profound and localized. "Ut Lan: Oan linh chua cu" is a clear demonstration of this trend when inspired by the legend of the "god of wealth" in folk culture, combining haunting sacrificial rituals with modern cinematic materials. Meritorious Artist Duc Khue - who plays Mr. Phuc in the film - shared: "I highly appreciate the film script because this is a completely different color compared to the works I have participated in. For me, this is a new inspiration, also a challenge". After nearly a decade of returning to the big screen, Duc Khue not only chose a spiritual - action role but also joined a professional crew with a serious work spirit. He said that acting in the context of an ancient house over 100 years old and the peaceful countryside of Long An brought special inspiration in every frame.

Another encouraging sign is the openness in international cooperation, typically the project “Mang me di bo”. The combination of Vietnamese actors and Korean crew, choosing an original script instead of a remake, shows that producers are proactively seeking creative opportunities and learning from developed markets.

From family elements to folk culture, from images of youth to hidden spiritual corners, filmmakers are boldly telling stories with their own voice, instead of following market patterns. The above projects show that Vietnamese filmmakers not only want to conquer the box office, but also want to create their own identity, by exploiting deep materials in the national cultural life and renewing themselves.

A movie season worth waiting for - not only for entertainment but also for reflection and more hope for domestic cinema.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phim-viet-he-2025-buc-tranh-da-sac-704593.html