The appeal of Vietnamese culture

No need for superheroes or a sci-fi setting, “Brother Hai’s Pho Shop” - a game developed by Vietnamese students is still enough to stir up the online community with just the familiar image of a pho shop. In the era of games racing with sharp graphics and effects, a bowl of “clumsy” pho creates a special attraction when it carries the sour, spicy, salty, and sweet taste of Vietnamese culture.

Funny image created by user using AI for "Pho Anh Hai" restaurant. Photo: Google Maps.

In the electronic game space that always emphasizes modern technology, the appearance of an independent electronic game with a rustic style seems to go against the trend. However, it is this "unusual ugliness" that has made Anh Hai Pho Shop a phenomenon, attracting millions of downloads and receiving a series of positive comments. The question is what helps this small game beat many blockbuster products. Perhaps the public is too familiar with the flashy look, so simple and familiar values ​​become emotional anchors.

The player takes on the role of Mr. Hai, the owner of a pho restaurant located at the fictional address 10 Dan Phuong ( Hanoi ). During the day, the daily work is to cook pho, welcome guests, and clean the restaurant. When night falls, the scene changes: dim lights, strange noises, and customers return in unpredictable forms. This change creates enough mystery to keep the player engaged.

What makes the game stand out is the natural Vietnamese breath. A green plastic chair, the sound of street vendors, the “concrete drilling and cutting” sign, the old tiled floor… all connect to form a familiar street picture. The unexpected appearance of famous faces like Cristiano Ronaldo or famous rappers adds to the humor and “silliness” typical of Vietnamese internet culture. Players are not only entertained, they are entering a very Vietnamese life with materials that everyone has encountered.

The crude graphic style is also a reasonable choice. It makes the horror-tinged segments lighter, while highlighting the naivety of the characters. The contrast between the somewhat clumsy images and the constantly changing plot stimulates curiosity, creating a strong viral effect. Notably, the entire project was developed by a student of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a detail that adds to the pride of the young creative community.

The phenomenon of Anh Hai Pho Restaurant reminds us that cultural value does not lie in the level of grandeur, but in the ability to touch memories and familiarity. The game does not try to simulate European, American, Korean styles or create a strange fantasy world . Its appeal comes from keeping the Vietnamese spirit, which is simple, funny, sometimes mysterious but always creates a sense of closeness.

This success story is a positive signal for the Vietnamese digital creative industry. When young people dare to exploit local materials with modern thinking, their products not only spread domestically but also have the opportunity to make their mark on the international creative map.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/tin-moi/202511/suc-hut-van-hoa-viet-71a06e0/