Chinese movies and TV shows have captured the hearts of the Vietnamese people.

This can be gleaned from the not only from the increasing market share of Chinese films in Vietnam, but also from the positive reviews that China-produced TV programs have received from the people, China Daily reported. 

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For instance, the science-fiction movie "Mermaid" helmed by Stephen Chow became a major hit after debuting last Feb. 10 during the country's observance of its Lunar Year Holiday.

The environmentally-themed comedy film, which tells the love story of a rich businessman and a mermaid, triggered a "mermaid fever" in Vietnam.

In March, more people joined the "Mermaid" craze after a photo of six-month old Vietnamese girl dressed in a mermaid costume went viral on the Internet.

While Chinese movies have scored big in Vietnam, China-produced TV shows have likewise established a huge following in the Southeast Asian country which is known for its verdant rice fields.

"The Empress of China," which was released in 2015, hooked viewers to the boob tube.

"I was so excited to wait for the next episode to see the new developments of the story," shared Nguyen Ngoc Dong, 33.

What made the show more interesting was an online app which allowed fans to edit their photos to make their look like characters from "The Empress of China."

 "I used the app on my own photos, and even on my husband's and my cousin's photos," Dong said. "It was so fun."

Chinese TV shows and movies continue to attract followers like Nguyen Huong Tra, a 29-year-old office worker in Hanoi, who became a fan of the TV drama "My Fair Princess" since she was a child.

"I fell in love with the drama and often imitated the actions of the characters," Tra related.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Ha Thu, 25, remembers collecting small stickers with "My Fair Princess" characters and paste them on her schoolbag and bedroom walls.

Vietnamese translator Nguyen Le Chi, who has translated Chinese TV dramas and movie scripts for the past 20 years, explained that Chinese TV dramas and movies are specifically "reworked" for local audiences, as film genres in China are now increasingly diversified.

Tagschina, chinese movies, Chinese TV Shows, Vietnam