Short films, also known as micro-dramas, are currently creating a sensation among audiences in Vietnam, even surpassing online streaming (OTT) services. According to statistics from the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, the OTT/VOD market includes nearly 30 domestic and international platforms, with 20 enterprises licensed to provide OTT services.

However, alongside the positive aspect of diverse entertainment information, this rapid growth has led to concerns about content quality and its impact on viewers, especially young people. To retain viewers within short durations, some productions resort to shocking plots, deviant family relationships, themes of revenge, infidelity, or motifs that glorify money and power.

On 25/9, the Department of Cinema issued a document requiring organizations and businesses managing digital media platforms, intermediary platforms, and application stores that provide films in Vietnam to promptly "inspect films, short films, and film distribution applications on their systems."

According to the Department, organizations and individuals must comply with regulations regarding entities permitted to distribute films. These include film classification, displaying classification results, notifying film lists and classification results before release, and taking responsibility for content quality. If an entity is not qualified for self-classification, it may request the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or an authorized agency to perform the classification.

The Department will coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect and verify cases showing signs of violation. Under Decree 87/2026, violating units will face fines depending on the specific act. Fines for some violations can reach 100 million VND, along with the mandatory removal of the film.

For films with content prohibited by the Cinema Law, in addition to fines, violating units may be compelled to delete or remove the film and surrender any illegal profits. In some cases of repeat offenses, operations related to film distribution may be suspended for a specified period.

The Cinema Law stipulates that films distributed on the internet in Vietnam are classified by age levels, including P, K, T13, T16, T18, and C. This classification is based on criteria related to violence, sex, drugs, horror, vulgar language, dangerous behavior, and the film's overall theme and content.

For platforms capable of self-classifying films, a post-check mechanism requires them to implement classification, display classification results and warning information, and apply technical solutions to protect children. This serves as one of the bases for management agencies to monitor film distribution activities on the internet.

"Mother Janitor Learns to Love" – a short film that once caused a sensation on Yeah1 Edigital – is one of the entities qualified to distribute films on the internet in Vietnam. Photo: Yeah1

Previously, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism noted the trend of online short films exploiting sensational, offensive, and culturally inappropriate elements. Several experts and parents have expressed concern that such models could influence the perceptions, aesthetics, and behavior of young people.

The growth of platforms and shifts in entertainment habits have allowed short formats like micro-dramas to reach a broad audience. Their duration of one to several minutes, continuous storytelling with plot twists, and mobile accessibility cater to users' demand for quick, convenient viewing. This trend also opens new opportunities for producers to engage different audience segments.

Statistics from the UK-based consulting firm Deloitte indicate that global revenue from short-form app-based films reached USD 3,8 billion in 2025 and is projected to double to approximately USD 7,8 billion this year. While separate data for live-action and AI-produced films is not yet available, AI is demonstrating significant expansion. According to Channel News Asia, 95% of the total 128.000 short films released in Trung Quoc in Q1 this year were generated by AI (equivalent to 121.600 works).

The Financial Times also reported that by May, 89 out of the 100 most trending short films on the Douyin platform (Trung Quoc) were AI products. From a niche product line, short dramas have rapidly emerged as one of the world's most popular entertainment genres, according to a Sensor Tower report.

Ha Thu - Que Chi