Doãn Hoàng Kiên

Hanoi comes across almost picture-perfect in director Tran Anh Hung's beautiful, elegiac tale about the lives and loves of three Vietnamese sisters. A mood characteristic of Hung's films is set early on with the vivid sounds of birds, insects and water and the way the lighting enhances the subtle use of color. They all combine to gem-like effect here.

A kind-hearted, considerate high school teacher quickly earns the admiration of her new class who sees her as an idol. Together, the students undertake a secret operation to help their beloved teacher sort out her personal life.

Trong, a self-proclaimed king of a garbage dump, falls in love with the poor flower seller Thuy.

Amidst the forest of Trường Sơn mountains, Thảo and four other girls are assigned to guard a major supply depot on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. As the war progresses and their health deteriorates, the girls begin to suffer from hysteric episodes where they become manic and laugh uncontrollably.

A woman running from her past meets a poor farmer who offers to marry her and raise her newborn as his own. After marrying they struggle to make a happy life together as their family grows and the war rages around them.