Analyzing the Popularity of Chinese TV Dramas in Vietnam from a Cross-Cultural Perspective

Abstract

Chinese dramas have been brought into Vietnam since the 1990s, and then eventually began to gain popularity in the country. From the perspective of cultural studies, cultural difference is the reason for the lack of popularity of Western dramas in Vietnam. However, the popularity of Chinese dramas in the country is an indication of the phenomenon of “culture proximity”. The land of Vietnam and China is connected. Both the countries have over thousand years of history linkage including the similar origin of cultures, geographic features, norms and values as well as heritage. Hence, the intimacy that the Chinese dramas have bought stirs up the interests of the Vietnam audiences. Many Chinese dramas have been arranged to be shown during the “golden hours” by Vietnamese televisions stations and profoundly embraced by the local audiences. Therefore, the Vietnamese market has nurtured a huge number of loyal Chinese dramas fans.