Vietnamese actress and producer Kaity Nguyen, a breakout star of the contemporary Vietnamese film industry, served as the youngest juror at the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) in 2024. During the festival, she emphasized the importance of cultural diversity and individual creative expression as key drivers for the rising global competitiveness of Vietnamese cinema.
The Growth of the Vietnamese Film Industry
The Vietnamese film market has experienced significant expansion over the last decade. According to data reported by Hankook Ilbo, the total Vietnamese box office revenue reached approximately 5.593 trillion VND (roughly 310 billion KRW) in 2023, representing a 24% increase compared to the previous year.
Kaity Nguyen, who debuted in the 2017 film Em Chưa 18 (Jailbait), attributes this growth to a new generation of directors, writers, and producers who are increasingly focused on capturing authentic stories from the country’s diverse regions. "The charm of Vietnamese cinema lies in its diversity," Nguyen stated during her interview at the festival. "From the north to the central and southern regions, each area has a different culture and a history built over countless hours. We have so many stories to tell the world’s film fans."
Kaity Nguyen’s Career and Artistic Philosophy
Kaity Nguyen has established herself as a prominent figure in Vietnam, balancing critical acclaim with commercial success. Following her award-winning debut, she starred in major productions including Tiệc Trăng Máu (Blood Moon Party, 2020), Người Vợ Cuối Cùng (The Last Wife, 2023), and the 2025 release Hijack.
Her approach to acting is deliberate; she often limits herself to one project per year to ensure she gains the life experience necessary to improve her craft. "To be a better actor, you need life experience," Nguyen noted. She has also expanded her professional scope to include film production, aiming to help shepherd stories that reflect Vietnam’s unique identity.
International Aspirations and Cultural Identity
Drawing parallels to the global success of South Korean cinema, Nguyen believes that the path forward for Vietnam involves mining local history and daily life for content. She specifically cited the 2020 film Tiệc Trăng Máu—a successful Vietnamese remake of the Korean hit Intimate Strangers—as an example of how local adaptations can resonate with domestic audiences.
Nguyen expressed a strong desire to see more Vietnamese films featured at major international festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival or the Busan International Film Festival in the near future. She pointed to her recent project, Hijack, as a prime example of the kind of storytelling she hopes to champion. The film, which she both produced and starred in, is based on an actual 1978 airplane hijacking incident in Vietnam. "Because my mother was an actual flight attendant, it is a very close and precious story to me," she said.
Key Takeaways
- Market Expansion: The Vietnamese box office recorded a 24% growth in 2023, signaling a robust recovery and expansion for the industry.
- Creative Focus: Kaity Nguyen emphasizes that the next stage of growth for Vietnamese film requires creators to embrace their unique "colors" and perspectives, moving beyond standard commercial tropes.
- Professional Development: Nguyen, now active as both an actress and producer, advocates for a balanced workload that allows for personal growth, which she considers essential for authentic performance.
- Global Outlook: There is a concerted effort among emerging Vietnamese filmmakers to bring local, history-based narratives to international stages, mirroring the cultural export model seen in South Korea.
Related reading