Vietnamese filmmakers are investing heavily in animation, with budgets reaching $3-4 million per film. At a recent event in Ho Chi Minh City, industry leaders expressed their ambition to take Vietnamese animation to the international stage.

The event showcased four animated films slated for theatrical release: Wolfoo and the Three Worlds Race, Blank Blank: The Ceramic Warrior, The Legend of the Golden Ox, Cross-Eyed Zombie

These projects highlight a variety of themes and artistic styles aimed at captivating diverse audiences. Notably, The Legend of the Golden Ox will be Vietnam’s first-ever 3D animated feature film. Scheduled for release in 2025, these films are expected to herald a new era for Vietnamese animation.

Director and artist Trinh Lam Tung, who helms The Legend of the Golden Ox, shared that the 90-minute film is rooted in Vietnamese culture, featuring vibrant depictions of traditions and daily life. The story follows a quirky group of friends on an adventurous quest to achieve their individual goals while saving the world.

Creating such an ambitious project requires significant resources. “A quality animated film typically costs $3–4 million, with most of the budget allocated to visual effects and technology,” Tung explained. Despite financial constraints in Vietnam's market, his team worked to minimize costs without compromising quality.

Wolfoo and the Three Worlds Race, directed by Vu Duy Khanh, integrates family and friendship themes to convey meaningful lessons for children.

“Our goal is to captivate audiences and elevate Vietnamese animation to global standards. We want our work to resonate not only with children but also with discerning animation enthusiasts,” Khanh stated.

Voice artist Dat Phi, renowned for his work on international projects including Walt Disney films, expressed excitement about collaborating on Vietnamese productions.

"It’s an honor to bring my expertise to these homegrown projects. Watching Vietnam produce high-quality animated films fills me with pride," he said.

Tuan Chieu