Doc Cross Asia is like a ‘playground’ where Asian filmmakers share their views while keeping the culture of their nations alive. The fun part was that we didn’t know what video we would get: the feeling of opening the data from my Japanese partner Fuminori Murase was like opening a gift box full of surprises and emotions. The Covid-19 pandemic and the different time zones between Vietnam and Japan made our production more complex than usual. However, the project was more inspiring in that it required more creativity and communication skills than when making a film alone. I really enjoyed seeing how the collaboration between two filmmakers producing in different places could lead to a creative work.

Making TV documentaries is usually a solitary work. I usually choose and film subjects based on my interests and concerns. Then I pour my expressions into the composition and editing process to make each piece.　It is rare that different filmmakers with different perspectives work on the same subject and make a combined piece. But DocCross Asia is something different. It provides a unique opportunity to work with collaborators to share materials and tackle the same subject from different angles. I have partners - Nguyen Nhat Duy and Phan Ý Linh– who live beyond my country's borders but with whom I share the same spirit. Although there are barriers, such as differences in language and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I look forward to seeing the unexpected elements woven into each work.