According to Box Office Vietnam, an independent box office observation platform, the top 10 highest-grossing Vietnamese films this year achieved a total revenue of 2,765 billion dong, a significant increase from last year's 1,715 billion dong. These figures indicate higher ticket sales and reflect local films' ability to attract audiences. Despite the high revenue, the professional quality of these works varies.

1. Red Rain (714 billion dong)

Trailer "Red Rain". Video: Film crew provided

Upon its release in late August, the film became an unprecedented phenomenon in Vietnamese cinema. It marked the first time a historical war film achieved such popularity. Many agencies and schools purchased thousands of tickets, offering them to veterans, students, and university students.

Critics praised the film for its grand settings and emotional scenes inspired by real events. The script follows the 81 days and nights of fighting to protect the ancient citadel. Screenwriter and novelist Chu Lai chose to focus on the human element, specifically a small squad of young soldiers from Vietnam's three regions.

Actor Do Nhat Hoang plays Cuong, a Conservatory student who put his dreams aside to enlist in "Red Rain". Photo: Film crew provided

2. The Vengeful Quartet (332 billion dong)

Trailer "The Vengeful Quartet". Video: Tran Thanh Town

Released during the Tet At Ty holiday, this film marked Tran Thanh's return to the comedy genre. The project features a simple, less dramatic script, focusing more on entertainment compared to his previous three films. The director generated laughter through physical comedy and witty dialogue, his strengths. Tran Thanh stated that the film did not aim for a grand message but sought to offer viewers a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

3. Aerial Combat (251 billion dong)

Trailer "Aerial Combat". Video: Film crew provided

Inspired by a real plane hijacking in Vietnam in 1978, the film maintained a compelling pace throughout its 118 minutes, showcasing Ham Tran's strength in the action genre. Although most of the setting is confined to a narrow space, the director effectively managed the staging and explored the psychological depth of both sides rather than focusing on direct confrontations.

4. Detective Kien: The Headless Case (248 billion dong)

Trailer "Detective Kien: The Headless Case". Video: Film crew provided

The film garnered positive reception for its tight script and consistent acting. Victor Vu combined a "case within a case" motif, having the protagonist simultaneously track a victim's whereabouts and investigate a tragedy that occurred decades earlier. Quoc Huy portrayed Detective Kien with a calm and decisive demeanor, while Dinh Ngoc Diep brought humor through the authentic, slightly naive character of Hai Man. The settings and costumes received significant investment, with nearly 1,000 traditional costumes used for the main cast and extras.

5. Ancestral Home (242 billion dong)

Trailer "Ancestral Home". Video: CJ HK

In his second feature film, Huynh Lap continued to explore spiritual themes, focusing on family sentiment rather than horror elements. The film addressed ancestor worship rituals and incorporated images of traditional crafts, also featuring strong performances and music. However, the visuals were criticized for lacking cinematic quality, with many viewers comparing the film to a web drama, alongside the overuse of plot twists in the ending. Huynh Lap agreed with this feedback, acknowledging shortcomings and expressing a desire for improvement in future projects.

6. Face Off 8: Sunny Embrace (232 billion dong)

Trailer "Face Off 8: Sunny Embrace". Video: Ly Hai Production

This film presented a youthful perspective, conveying messages about family love and self-discovery. However, it revealed limitations in its script and storytelling, repeating the motif of children being pressured by parents, which made conflicts simplistic. The "twist" at the end of the second act lacked impact, failing to alter the overall narrative or create a climax. The inclusion of minor conflicts, such as a school love triangle, fragmented the script, along with some illogical details in character psychology. Despite this, Ly Hai effectively conveyed emotion in several segments depicting parental sacrifice.

7. The Billion-Dong Kiss (211 billion dong)

Trailer "The Billion-Dong Kiss", starring Miss Doan Thien An. Video: Thu Trang Entertainment

Released concurrently with Tran Thanh's film during the Tet holiday, this project helped Thu Trang become the first female Vietnamese director to have a film surpass the 100 billion dong mark. A family drama, the story explored character psychology, emphasizing the conflict between wealth and poverty and the contrast between emotion and materialism, while questioning the value of money. However, the script lacked unexpected plot points, and some visual effects were unconvincing.

8. Searching for Ambergris (192 billion dong)

Trailer "Searching for Ambergris". Video: 89S Group

Director Duong Minh Chien's debut film marked a new highlight in the market by blending humor and action, a path not many Vietnamese films had successfully taken before. The work features a three-act structure, beginning with character introductions, then increasing its pace as the two protagonists become entangled in a series of dangerous situations. The humor primarily stems from entertaining confrontations, choreographed with flexible rhythm, creating an exaggerated feel reminiscent of 1990s-2000s Hong Kong action comedies.

9. Tunnels: Sun in the Dark (172 billion dong)

Trailer "Tunnels: Sun in the Dark". Video: Galaxy Studio

This film explores a war setting with central characters as soldiers living and fighting underground. The script reflects how they maintained faith, highlighting camaraderie and resolve in harsh conditions. Many scenes of daily life in the base were depicted with restrained pacing, avoiding overly tragic portrayals. Even fleeting details clearly evoked the scarcity and hardship endured by the soldiers.

10. Abandoning Mom (171 billion dong)

Trailer "Abandoning Mom". Video: CJ HK

The film garnered attention for its exploration of family themes and an accessible story for many audiences. Performances by Hong Dao and Tuan Tran generated empathy. Approximately two-thirds of the runtime focused on depicting the mother-son life of Hoan, with numerous psychological scenes allowing the two main actors extensive scope. Additionally, the message of kinship resonated with viewers.

Cat Tien