A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA IN HO CHI MINH CITY THEATRE FROM 2015 TO 2025

Abstract

Psychological drama has occupied a pivotal position in the theatrical landscape of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
from 2015 to 2025, despite intense competition from cinema, television, and emerging digital entertainment
platforms. This article examines the socio‑cultural context surrounding its development; identifies dominant
artistic tendencies; and analyzes staging aesthetics, acting techniques, and theatrical technologies employed
during this period. Drawing on field observations, document analysis, and comparative study across leading
theatre companies, the research demonstrates that psychological drama has emerged as a defining trend,
offering profound humanistic value and serving as a key driver in revitalizing HCMC theatre following the
Covid‑19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the genre continues to confront persistent challenges, including shortages of
quality scripts, gaps in actor training, infrastructural constraints, and shifting audience demands. This study
contributes to a more systematic understanding of psychological drama amid contemporary transformations in
Vietnamese theatre and proposes directions for its sustainable development in the coming years.