Vietnamese films (both cinema and TV dramas) have made notable strides in portraying romance, but they remain a mixed bag. The best ones excel in , while the weakest rely on overused tropes and uneven pacing .
The 1990s and early 2000s marked a pivotal shift with the emergence of the "Doi Moi" (Renovation) era films. Directors like Tran Anh Hung brought a sensory, atmospheric approach to romance with "The Scent of Green Papaya" and "The Vertical Ray of the Sun." These films moved away from political messaging to focus on the domestic sphere and the intricate, often quiet dynamics of romantic and familial love. Here, relationships began to be portrayed with more nuance, exploring themes of infidelity, hidden desires, and the subtle power imbalances within a household. This period paved the way for the "Viet Kieu" (overseas Vietnamese) filmmakers who returned to the country, bringing Western storytelling techniques that emphasized character-driven romantic arcs. Vietnamese films (both cinema and TV dramas) have