Both Tran Thanh and Ly Hai entered the realm of film direction after establishing careers in other fields. Though they came from different backgrounds – Tran Thanh’s roots lie in acting and Ly Hai holds an educational degree but not in directing – they have become two of the most successful directors in Vietnamese cinema.

In the entertainment industry of Vietnam, there’s no dearth of individuals transitioning into filmmaking from other careers. However, only a handful have managed to achieve significant success. For these individuals, this journey required perseverance and determination to compensate for their lack of formal education in filmmaking.

Achieving Success with Diligence, Not Luck

Director Tran Huu Tan started his career journey in various roles, including as a delivery worker, bartender, and creative advertisement copywriter, before moving into filmmaking. His passion for cinema, which had been ignited in his childhood, led him to work hard and eventually make a mark in the film industry.

Tran Huu Tan’s first film, “Home Sweet Home,” was officially selected for the Busan International Film Festival in 2019 and grossed over 40 billion VND in Vietnam. His next film, “Vietnamese Horror Story,” became the highest-grossing horror film in Vietnam in 2022, raking in over 58 billion VND.

He firmly believes that it’s never too late to seize the right opportunities. Despite lacking formal education, he contends that directing involves much more than what is taught in universities. For his first film, Tran Huu Tan took three years to prepare, during which he enrolled in short courses, studied movies of the same genre, and made five short films to gain experience.

Becoming Successful Directors Without Formal Training

Two notable “self-taught” directors, Tran Thanh and Ly Hai, have also marked significant achievements in Vietnamese cinema this year with their films “Nha Ba Nu” and “Lat Mat 6.”

Before venturing into filmmaking, Tran Thanh had an extensive acting career. He transitioned into film directing with his web drama “Bo Gia,” which was later developed into a film that earned more than 400 billion VND at the box office. Later, Tran Thanh’s film “Nha Ba Nu” became the highest-grossing Vietnamese film of all time, grossing over 475 billion VND.

Ly Hai, on the other hand, started his career as a singer and later encroached upon cinema. Despite facing initial skepticism, Ly Hai gradually established a solid footing in the Vietnamese film market. His recent film “Lat Mat 6” has collected more than 271 billion VND so far.

According to Director Le Anh Tuan, both Tran Thanh and Ly Hai owe their success to their innate talent, progressive spirit, and relentless self-improvement efforts. He believes that irrespective of one’s formal education, continuous self-improvement is essential to sustain in the field. Several other individuals, like Le Thien Vien and Pham Thien An, have also made their mark in the film industry without any formal education in this field.

While formal education may not be a mandatory requirement for becoming a successful film director, the journey demands a lot of self-driven effort to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Tran Huu Tan sums it up by stating that while talent is crucial in any art-related industry, continuous learning from various sources is also vital to excel in the field of film directing.

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