From "Red Rain" to the 700 billion VND earthquake
On the occasion of the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Vietnamese film market witnessed an "unprecedented" phenomenon called "Red Rain". The film of the People's Army Cinema created a strong wave, attracting millions of audiences across the country to theaters.
In Hanoi, the "ticket outage" situation is prolonged, audiences even have to book 1-2 days in advance to have seats. Reporters recorded in wards such as Vinh Phu (Nghe An) or Viet Tri (Phu Tho) on September 5, 2025, all screenings during the day were no longer empty to serve audiences. Just over a month after its release, "Red Rain" achieved an unimaginable result: Revenue of more than 700 billion VND with more than 8 million spectators.
Adapted from the novel by writer Chu Lai, the film is inspired by the 81-day and night battle to protect Quang Tri Citadel in 1972. The story of young soldiers from all over the countryside, sharing the ideal of "determined to die for the Fatherland to live" has touched the hearts of all generations.
Director Dang Thai Huyen shared that she does not expect revenue records but only hopes "there will be many young audiences coming to watch the movie". She wants to send a stick of incense to the generation of her fathers and brothers and to ask the audience: "Is peace beautiful? Is peace expensive?". In response to that wish, the national spirit has been nurtured and exploded. Audience member Hanh Nguyen (born in 1990) emotionally shared: "The price of peace is very expensive, the blood and bones of our fathers and brothers have been shed so that we can enjoy the beauty of today".
What is special is the rise of scripts based on real historical events. National spirit is no longer an abstract concept, but is present through each realistic, tragic film frame. Notably, the film "Geological Tunnels: Sun in the Dark" by director Bui Thac Chuyen recreates the fierce survival battle of Cu Chi guerrillas in 1967.
Set after the Cedar Falls raid, the film depicts an unequal battle between "barefoot" soldiers and elite military forces. The authenticity to the point that no sad scenes are needed still makes viewers shed tears. The effect from the film is so great that after watching it, many viewers flocked to the tunnel relic to learn about the mission of their ancestors.
Besides, the movie "Death Battle in the Air" of the People's Police Cinema brought a new breeze with the theme of hijacking based on a real event in 1978. Although it is a new topic for Vietnamese films, thanks to real material and solid scripts, the film has reached the finish line with revenue of more than 250 billion VND.
The connection between generations through these historical stories is proof of the strength of Vietnamese audiences when they find national pride in each frame.
Traditional culture creates a bond connecting the community
Not only stopping at the theme of war, the spirit of national unity is also expressed through the preservation of spiritual cultural values of Vietnamese people. "Truy tim Long Dien Huong" by director Duong Minh Chien is a typical example.
The film is inspired by the custom of worshiping fish Ông and the Nghinh Ông festival of fishermen in coastal Binh Thuan. The story revolves around the journey of protecting the Long Dien Huong treasure in the fishing village from the eyes of greedy people. The character Tam (Quang Tuan) declares loudly: "Long Dien Huong is a worship item of my village, no one has the right to take it anywhere".
The message about village affection and neighborhood solidarity, the solidarity of villagers against evil has created an emotional journey. The film does not tell big stories, but has borrowed images of treasures to honor forgiveness and family affection. These are the core values that make up the strength of the Vietnamese community.
This breakthrough comes from the self-efforts of filmmakers in improving quality and dedication to the profession. Film critic Phong Viet commented that it is the national spirit and the historical story imbued with heroism that has created a booming effect for the film. The biggest achievement is not only the revenue figure, but the connection and rebuilding solid trust from the audience.
Honoring the good moral values of the nation
The presentation of the Vietnam Cinema Association at the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, term 2026-2031, stated: From the functions and tasks of a mass organization assigned by the Party and State at the Central level, the Vietnam Cinema Association realizes that, in order to promote the role of literary and artistic associations in the Front's work in the new period, it is necessary to focus on key solutions.
In which, emphasizing the task: "Innovate creative methods in the direction of linking art with life and diversifying methods of promoting works. Encourage artists and members to penetrate the reality of life, discover and reflect good deeds, typical examples in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality, and style, living with purpose, ideals and noble aspirations; honor human values, the tradition of mutual affection and good moral values of the nation; spread patriotic emulation movements and campaigns; propagate typical and practical models serving the community.
Using literary and artistic works, cinema, and television films to "soften" the Party's guidelines and the State's policies, helping people easily receive and agree.
Proactively seek and diversify "non-traditional" methods through the internet and social networking platforms to promote and disseminate works suitable to the Fatherland Front's work orientation to a wide audience, especially young people".
