‘Mai’ movie reaches $4M mark fastest in Vietnamese box office history

Director Tran Thanh of ‘Mai’ movie was visibly moved during a Q&A session with Ho Chi Minh City audiences on the first evening of the Lunar New Year, Feb. 10, 2024. Photo by Thanh Hanh

“Mai,” directed by comedian Tran Thanh, grabbed ticket revenues of VND100 billion (US$4 million) after just 3 days in cinemas, the fastest in Vietnamese box office history.

On the morning of Feb. 13, the movie surpassed the previous record set by “Nha Ba Nu” (Nu’s Family), the 2023 film also by Tran Thanh.

According to the Box Office Vietnam, an independent box office monitoring unit, “Mai” had a screening occupancy rate of 43% over its first three days, attracting 850,000 spectators.

The movie’s current revenue includes pre-ordered tickets for future screening dates.

With the new milestone, Tran Thanh has become the first Vietnamese director whose career has garnered a total revenue of over VND1 trillion.

The total comes from his three films – Mai,” “Nha Ba Nu,” and “Bo Gia” (Dad, I’m Sorry”) – combined.

“Nha Ba Nu” is so far the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time, totaling nearly VND460 billion in revenues.

“I didn’t put too much emphasis on revenue goals with ‘Mai’ because the film’s theme is not suitable for the majority [of audiences],” Thanh said.

“But of course, I still hope the work will break the records set by ‘Bo Gia’ and ‘Nha Ba Nu.’ Otherwise, at least the film’s revenue is good, it’s profitable, so I have capital to make the next movie.”

“Mai” is Tran Thanh’s first movie labeled 18+ (not for audiences aged under 18), and it cost nearly VND50 billion to make.

The movie revolves around the life of a thirty something massage therapist named Mai (played by Phuong Anh Dao) who accidentally meets a younger man, musician Duong (Tuan Tran), who comes to fancy her.

The conflict ensues Mai’s low self-esteem does not allow her to accept the feelings of a man 7 years her junior.

With “Mai,” Tran Thanh paced the film slowly and moderated the intensity of on-scene quarrels between his characters.