Director and lecturer Trịnh Đình Lê Minh recently premiered his latest film, “Ngày Xưa Có Một Chuyện Tình” (Once Upon a Time, There Was a Love), adapted from Nguyễn Nhật Ánh’s novel of the same name. The film has garnered widespread support from audiences. Alongside his busy schedule with film festivals and premieres, Minh remains dedicated to teaching Art and Media Studies at Fulbright University Vietnam.
The more you experience, the better you understand yourself
Teacher Minh’s path to becoming a director was a journey of introspection and self-discovery. Initially a science major with a passion for cinema, Minh faced uncertainty when choosing a university. With his family’s support, he pursued two degrees simultaneously: at the University of Theater and Cinema and the University of Economics. At that time, Vietnam lacked liberal arts education and interdisciplinary approaches, but studying two distinct fields provided Minh with diverse skills and knowledge.
Director and lecturer Trịnh Đình Lê Minh
A pivotal moment came during a marketing job interview after graduation. Teacher Minh reflected: “I passed three rounds, but during the final interview, they seemed to sense I was only there for a polished résumé. They asked me: ‘What do you really want to do?’ That question made me realize I wasn’t meant for marketing. I knew then I would thrive better as a director, where I could fully express my talents and share my perspectives on life through storytelling.”
Taking risks and never stopping the learning journey
Entering the film industry during Vietnam’s early cinema revival, teacher Minh faced limited opportunities. Nevertheless, his willingness to take on various roles, including small and seemingly insignificant ones, allowed him to build invaluable experience. From interning on film sets to working for a TV production company and writing two books on cinema by interviewing veteran filmmakers, Minh absorbed lessons from the ground up. “These experiences, coupled with my time as a Fulbright scholar in the U.S., helped me explore uncharted areas, like documentary filmmaking,” he said.
Minh in his role as director on the set of the latest feature film “Ngày Xưa Có Một Chuyện Tình”
With three feature films— “Thưa Mẹ Con Đi” (Goodbye Mother), ”Bằng Chứng Vô Hình” (Invisible Evidence) and “Ngày Xưa Có Một Chuyện Tình” (Once Upon a Time, There Was a Love)—as well as several short films, teacher Minh sees every project as a unique opportunity to grow. “My first film, ‘Goodbye Mother,’ was made with confidence and meticulous preparation alongside a first-time team. It was a challenge I had to conquer to move forward with subsequent projects.”
His second feature, “Invisible Evidence,” pushed him to tackle action filmmaking, requiring technical expertise and overcoming fears of directing large, complex crowd scenes. “It was a step to level up my skills and tackle difficult challenges without hesitation in the future,” he shared.
A mentor inspiring future filmmakers at Fulbright
Balancing roles as both a director and lecturer, teacher Minh finds that teaching offers new perspectives and allows him to share his on-set experiences with students. “Teaching refreshes me as I learn from young minds while bringing real-world filmmaking insights to the classroom.”
Minh was drawn to Fulbright University Vietnam for its liberal arts philosophy and interdisciplinary approach. “Filmmaking requires knowledge from various fields—psychology, social sciences, technology, even business. Fulbright’s interdisciplinary environment provides a solid foundation for students to thrive in film and media,” he said.
Mr. Trịnh Đình Lê Minh teaching a class in the Arts and Media Studies program at Fulbright University Vietnam.
The mix of Fulbright students, coming from all corners of Vietnam, also inspires the teacher. He believes that diverse cultural backgrounds enrich classroom discussions, particularly in research and filmmaking projects. He has mentored numerous student films, such as Nguyễn Đức Nhật’s “The Last Supper” (Class of 2024), and facilitated access to international film workshops and exchange programs. Therefore, Minh always encourages and guides students to transform their personal experiences and observations into sources of inspiration and unique filmmaking materials. From the foundational courses where students begin their exposure to the seventh art form to the advanced filmmaking classes at Fulbright with in-depth knowledge about various film genres. In the two courses he currently teaches, “Documentary Filmmaking and Video Journalism” and “Narrative,” students learn basic filmmaking techniques, study screenwriting, and use imagery, sound, and editing to tell stories. Through small assignments and a final project of producing a short film, students will understand the overall process of making a film; thereby, not only developing knowledge about film production but also acquiring skills in creativity, storytelling, project management, and personnel management, etc. This prepares them to effectively apply and integrate their specialized knowledge with creative artistry that has a distinct personal touch in real-world scenarios.
Advice for young aspiring artists: Stay curious
Director, lecturer Trịnh Đình Lê Minh offers three key pieces of advice for students passionate about filmmaking or pursuing Art and Media Studies at Fulbright:
First, stay curious and explore. If you feel drawn to watching and discussing films, that’s the beginning of your passion. Curiosity is crucial in this field, so keep exploring beyond narrow interests and embrace interdisciplinary learning to discover new intersections.
Second, connect with mentors and industry professionals. Take every opportunity to talk with experts and experienced professionals to broaden your knowledge and network.
Third, research your school and field of study. Understand your prospective school, the strengths of its faculty, and how they can help you grow. Don’t hesitate to discuss your aspirations with your parents to gain their support in choosing the right path.
Thảo Chi
