Mua Do: the “artistic battle” of female soldiers sets a record at the Vietnamese box office

The milestones are striking: within 17 days of release, Mua Do reached nearly 560 billion VND, overtaking Mai (2024) as the highest-grossing film in Vietnamese box office history. Records tumbled in quick succession, from ticket sales velocity to overnight screenings, with the Box Office Vietnam system repeatedly overloaded by demand.

That achievement is all the more impressive given the genre. War films are traditionally niche, struggling to rival the broad appeal of romantic comedies or family dramas. Yet Mua Do overturned expectations, transforming a historical narrative into a mainstream phenomenon.

The film’s success was no accident. Mua Do is rare in its scale of production, from sweeping battlefield re-enactments to painstaking attention to detail. Adapted from Chu Lai’s novel of the same name, it retains the pathos of literature while translating it into the compelling language of cinema.

Equally significant was its release timing. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (19 August 1945–19 August 2025) and Vietnam’s National Day (2 September 1945–2 September 2025), the film encouraged audiences to see it not only as a cinematic experience but also as a way of participating in a living historical commemoration.

If the box office triumph is a victory in numbers, it is the community effect that truly reflects the impact of Mua Do. This is not merely the recognition of a record, but also a shared pride when a war film, once thought to appeal only to a niche audience, becomes a national phenomenon.

On 4 September, Mua Do was screened at Quang Tri Citadel, drawing more than 6,000 people, including many veterans and relatives of fallen soldiers. The event was staged as a sacred tribute, held on land that endured 81 days and nights of fire, where every inch of soil was steeped in sacrifice. More than a screening, it was an occasion for the filmmakers to express gratitude and for today’s generation to connect with history.

Read now: Legacy 80: DTAP and Kawaii Tuan Anh overcoming limits to bring Vietnamese pride far and wide

Mua Do may be remembered as a record-breaking Vietnamese box office film, but more importantly, it proves that war cinema can still captivate audiences, can still become a cultural phenomenon when created with passion and intelligence.

For director Dang Thai Huyen, this is a journey of bringing historical cinema into contemporary life, infused with pain, pride and a longing for solidarity. For millions of viewers, Mua Do is a unique communal experience, where the tragic past meets the present and national memory is told in the timeless language of cinema.

Director Dang Thai Huyen calls Mua Do an “artistic battle”. The process of making the film was akin to leading a campaign: mobilising, directing personnel, ensuring the safety of explosive props, and staging each battle scene with absolute precision. At the same time, she infused modern cinematic language such as rapid editing and evocative sound and light so the film is not only authentic but also compelling for young audiences.

For a female director, the distinction also lies in sensitivity and nuance. Mua Do does not solely portray fierce battles but gives space to women and children, those who often suffer most in war. The scene of two mothers on opposing sides sharing the same grief is one of its most haunting moments, both tragic and profoundly humane.

Dang Thai Huyen calls this “the colour of a female director”: placing people at the centre so that audiences recognise that behind fire and smoke are hearts, losses and an irreplaceable sense of pride.

Mua Do not only shattered box office records, but also opened a dialogue between history and today’s viewers. From crowded theatres to the solemn silence of Quang Tri Citadel, the film demonstrates that cinema can both invigorate the entertainment market and serve as a bridge of gratitude to the past. Above all, Mua Do shows that when made with responsibility and passion, a work of art can transcend the screen to become etched in collective memory.

NOW READ

How Hoa Minzy brought history to life through music and costume design

Legacy 80: How “To Quoc Trong Tim” united millions through music and patriotism

“Lam Giau Voi Ma: Cuoc Chien Hot Xoan”: A reunion of a multi-generational cast