Review : ‘Love in Vietnam’ Blends Indian Emotions with Vietnamese Landscapes!

Some films rely on words to narrate emotions, while others let visuals and music weave the story. Rahhat Shah Kazmi’s Love in Vietnam falls firmly in the latter, emerging as a lyrical exploration of love where images and melodies resonate louder than dialogue.

At the heart of the film lies Manav (#ShantanuMaheshwari) and Simmi (#AvneetKaur), childhood companions bound by affection. But destiny carries Manav to Vietnam, where a photograph of Lin (#KhaNgan) awakens a yearning he cannot ignore. Caught between the comfort of Simmi’s love and the enigmatic pull of Lin, Manav’s journey becomes one of searching—for connection, for belonging, and for memory itself.

The film unfolds at its own rhythm, never rushing. Its quiet pauses allow the audience to absorb the mood, as the visuals and the soundtrack take charge of expressing what words leave unsaid. The cinematography is breathtaking, painting Vietnam not just as a backdrop but as an emotional presence in the story. The shimmering lakes, lantern-lit streets, and bustling markets carry their own language, reflecting Manav’s restless heart. When he and Lin drift into a spontaneous dance by the water, it feels less like a performance and more like the land itself urging them closer.

Every melody lingers with tenderness, evoking how a single tune can unlock forgotten memories or rekindle old wounds. The music never intrudes—it flows with the imagery, amplifying silences and unspoken feelings. Kazmi’s direction relies on subtlety rather than excess. A glance by the riverside, or a hushed moment between Simmi and Manav, speaks volumes. By embracing stillness and suggestion, he crafts a timeless atmosphere—half reality, half dream.

While the film’s opening feels rushed and some lines stumble, these minor weaknesses fade before its sensory richness. Few contemporary romances dare to embrace simplicity and sincerity the way this one does. Love in Vietnam ultimately becomes less of a narrative and more of an experience, a cinematic poem about desire, distance, and the traces love.

Rating: ***

By Keerti Kadam