This year, four films are set to premiere simultaneously on the first day of Tet, February 17. They include “Bau vat troi cho,” “Mui pho,” “Tho oi!” and “Nha ba toi mot phong,” making the holiday box office race hotter than ever.

Tran Thanh’s name has been a guarantee of success over the past three Tet seasons with “Nha ba Nu,” “Mai” and “Bo tu bao thu,” whose combined revenue exceeded VND1,000 billion (US$40 million). This year, he raises the stakes again with “Tho oi!,” marking the first film he has directed that carries an 18+ age restriction.

Before its official theatrical release, as of 5pm on February 16 - the 30th day of the lunar year - “Tho oi!” had already earned VND11.2 billion (US$450,000) and currently leads advance ticket sales, according to data from independent box office tracker Box Office Vietnam.

Ranking second is “Nha ba toi mot phong,” the first feature film in which Truong Giang serves as lead actor, director, screenwriter and producer. However, its advance revenue stands at VND3.7 billion (US$150,000), roughly one third of Tran Thanh’s film.

Meanwhile, “Mui pho,” directed by Minh Beta and featuring actors Quoc Tuan, artist Xuan Hinh and Thu Trang, holds third place with VND3.2 billion (US$130,000) in advance sales.

At the bottom of the ranking is “Bau vat troi cho,” directed by Le Thanh Son. Despite starring the popular duo Tuan Tran and Phuong Anh Dao, the film has recorded VND1.1 billion (US$45,000) in pre-sales.

Notably, aside from “Tho oi!,” which carries an 18+ rating, the other three Tet releases this year are labeled K, meaning they are suitable for viewers under 13. Yet they are currently trailing behind Tran Thanh’s film in advance revenue.

However, the Tet box office race is always unpredictable. Significant shifts may occur in the coming days when all four films officially open nationwide on February 17.

My Anh