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20 Years of Varan – Documentary Filmmaking in Vietnam
The year 2025 marks two decades of the establishment and development of the Varan documentary film workshop in Vietnam – a program that has nurtured the first generation of independent documentary filmmakers in our country. Notably, 2025 also marks 20 years since the workshop was first held in Ho Chi Minh City.
This year’s film screening and symposium series are jointly organized by Varan Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema, and Fulbright University Vietnam, aiming to connect generations of filmmakers and offer students opportunities to explore the storytelling methods of direct cinema documentaries.
SESSION 1 (November 19)
Location: Fulbright University Vietnam
Time: 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM | November 19, 2025
Topic: Saigon Urban Life
Film Screening:
Tổ ấm – Phan Huỳnh Trang
Xóm Trường Tiền – Nguyễn Việt Anh Thư
SESSION 2 (November 21)
Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema
Screening
Time: 1 – 1:30 PM
Topic: Labor in the City
Films:
Mùa hè nghiêm – Lê Thu Minh
Lân múa – Nguyễn Mộng Long
Những kẻ tập sự – Phạm Thị Hảo
Screening
Time: 2 – 3:15 PM
Topic: Mental Health – Workshop 2024
Films:
Phòng thu bí mật – Nguyễn Thiên Ân
Toàn ơi – Nguyễn Hồ Bảo Nghi
Gió mùa về – Lê Thị Thắm
Symposium: “20 Years of Varan – Documentary Filmmaking in Vietnam”
5:30 PM, November 21
A conversation about the development of direct cinema documentary filmmaking in Vietnam from 2004 to the present.
See you at these special screenings. Registration link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/
Times
Nov 19 | Nov 21, 2025
13:30 – 17:30
Fulbright University Vietnam (Hanoi) | Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Cinema (HCMC)
Other Events
Varan Vietnam at Ồ Ạt Festival 2026
At the heart of this programme, “Hanoi 2004” marks the beginning of Varan Vietnam’s twenty-year journey - a journey that has contributed to the training and inspiration of many independent documentary filmmakers in Vietnam. These are debut works in which the cinematic voices of a younger generation of directors first began to take shape.
Varan Vietnam at Ồ Ạt Festival 2026
At the heart of this programme, “Hanoi 2004” marks the beginning of Varan Vietnam’s twenty-year journey - a journey that has contributed to the training and inspiration of many independent documentary filmmakers in Vietnam. These are debut works in which the cinematic voices of a younger generation of directors first began to take shape.
FIND OUT
Varan Vietnam to provide professional advisory support for Hanoi Documentary Dojo 2026
Initiated in 2018, Yamagata Documentary Dojo (https://ddcenter.org/dojo) is a residency and workshop programme for Asian filmmakers, held in the mountainous region of Yamagata, Japan. In 2026, Yamagata Documentary Dojo will come to Hanoi, Vietnam, with a compact edition entitled HANOI DOCUMENTARY DOJO 2026.
Varan Vietnam to provide professional advisory support for Hanoi Documentary Dojo 2026
Initiated in 2018, Yamagata Documentary Dojo (https://ddcenter.org/dojo) is a residency and workshop programme for Asian filmmakers, held in the mountainous region of Yamagata, Japan. In 2026, Yamagata Documentary Dojo will come to Hanoi, Vietnam, with a compact edition entitled HANOI DOCUMENTARY DOJO 2026.
FIND OUT
Documentary Project Nostalgia for the Land Wins the Top Prize at the Docs by the Sea Awards 2026
Varan Vietnam is delighted to share that director Phạm Thị Hảo and producer Trịnh Đình Lê Minh on winning the Top Prize at Docs by the Sea Awards 2026 for their project Nostalgia for the Land.
Documentary Project Nostalgia for the Land Wins the Top Prize at the Docs by the Sea Awards 2026
Varan Vietnam is delighted to share that director Phạm Thị Hảo and producer Trịnh Đình Lê Minh on winning the Top Prize at Docs by the Sea Awards 2026 for their project Nostalgia for the Land.
FIND OUT
20 Years of Varan Vietnam” Nominated for HANOI GRAPEVINE’s FINEST 2025 – 2026
Varan Vietnam is delighted to share that the project “20 Years of Varan Vietnam” has been nominated for HANOI GRAPEVINE’s FINEST 2025 - 2026, an annual event dedicated to honoring outstanding contemporary art activities in Vietnam.
20 Years of Varan Vietnam” Nominated for HANOI GRAPEVINE’s FINEST 2025 – 2026
Varan Vietnam is delighted to share that the project “20 Years of Varan Vietnam” has been nominated for HANOI GRAPEVINE’s FINEST 2025 - 2026, an annual event dedicated to honoring outstanding contemporary art activities in Vietnam.
FIND OUT
