Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong and Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education, and Mass Mobilisation Lai Xuan Mon present the Golden Lotus awards (Photo: Thu Hương/VNA)

The film also won in several other categories, including Best Visual Effects, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Sound. Director Huyen said, “The film festival was successfull as it marked the success not only of private films but also of state-produced films. The works have all received a positive response from audiences, from box office revenue to artistic quality. I think this is an encouraging signal for films to really take off in the near future.”

Vietnam is one of very few countries where the number of films produced and box office revenue have both surpassed pre-COVID levels. Vietnamese films account for nearly 70% of screening slots in Vietnamese cinemas.

Another war-themed movie, “Dia Dao – Mat Troi Trong Bong Toi (Tunnel: Sun in the Dark)”, which was released in April, received the Silver Lotus for Best Feature Film.

This year’s Golden Lotus was also given to documentaries “Tinh Thuc và Hoa Giai (Awakening and Reconciliation)” and “Nguoi Giu Hon Di San (Keeper of Heritage)”, cartoons “Trang Quynh Nhi: Truyen Thuyet Kim Nguu (Little Scholar Quyynh: The Legend of Kim Ngưu)” and “De Men: Cuoc Phieu Luu Toi Xom Lay Loi (Cricket: Adventure to Muddy Hamlet)”, and science movie “Bui Min – Hiem Hoa Lo Lung (Fine Dust – Hanging Danger)”.