In recent months, the popularity of AI-generated short films has surged in Vietnam, with many viewers willing to spend considerable amounts on subscriptions to access this content. Huyen Trang, a 36-year-old from Ho Chi Minh City, shared her experience of investing 99,000 VND into a short film app to finish watching a series, despite acknowledging the low quality of the content. "The plot is trivial, the twists are predictable, and the actors are not real, but it's so captivating that I just can't stop watching," she explained.

Initially, Huyen would watch snippets of these films on social media platforms like Facebook, often ending at cliffhangers that piqued her curiosity. After trying the app for free and watching ads, she decided to pay for additional credits to enjoy uninterrupted viewing. "With prices starting at 10,000 VND and many first-time promotions, I didn't hesitate to pay," she added.

Similarly, Quoc Huy from Da Nang began his journey with AI films on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, but soon grew frustrated with the poor quality of re-uploaded content. He eventually opted to pay for a subscription, stating, "The plots are so engaging that I often find myself recharging multiple times in one night to keep watching." Although he initially thought the costs were minimal, he was surprised by the total expenses at the end of the month, which reached into the millions of VND.

Many users report spending hundreds of thousands to millions of VND monthly on their favorite films, transitioning from traditional human-acted films to AI-generated content due to its diverse and rich storytelling. Short film platforms such as ReelShort, NetShort, and DramaWave typically segment each film into 50-100 episodes, each lasting only a few minutes and designed to end on suspenseful notes to encourage binge-watching.

According to Deloitte, global revenues from short films in apps are projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2025, with expectations to double to $7.8 billion this year. While specific revenue from AI-generated films is not separately reported, a Channel News Asia article noted that 95% of the 128,000 short films released in China in Q1 2026 were AI-generated.

Experts suggest that the rise of AI in filmmaking is driven by advancements in user-friendly video creation tools. Dr. Le Duy Tan, co-founder of the AIoT Lab VN, emphasized that AI not only increases the quantity of content but also accelerates production speed, allowing for rapid content generation and distribution. The algorithmic capabilities of AI enable it to learn viewer preferences, creating a feedback loop that enhances content relevance.

However, the addictive nature of these short films raises concerns. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Sang, head of Clinical Psychology at Children's Hospital 2, pointed out that the quick and repetitive reward system of short videos can lead to prolonged viewing habits, impacting users' daily lives and responsibilities. He advises viewers to monitor their screen time and set limits on their viewing habits.

Despite the potential downsides, many viewers, including Huyen Trang, are learning to manage their consumption by setting budgets and time limits for watching. "Ultimately, short videos are not the enemy; it's about controlling our own habits," Dr. Sang concluded.