AI-driven short dramas fuel China-Vietnam bilateral cooperation

Amid China's artificial intelligence boom and Vietnam's rapidly expanding short-drama market, collaboration on AI-powered content is emerging as a example of bilateral digital and cultural cooperation, with Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region at the forefront.

A co-produced short drama, Saving Lives at the Border, is set to premiere in May. The series follows Chinese and Vietnamese doctors working together for cross-border medical relief, underscoring professional cooperation and shared humanitarian values.

The production is part of a broader push to integrate AI into content creation. In November 2025, Nanning-based FZ Entertainment and Vietnam Digital Entertainment Industry Group Company Limited (VDEG) signed an agreement under the China-Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Application Cooperation Center, the first national-level AI cooperation platform established by the two countries.

Under the deal, FZ Entertainment is deploying its self-developed AIGC short-video platform, Ju Xiaobai, in Vietnam, providing customized AI video production tools and technical services tailored to local market demand.

Ju Xiaobai supports a full creative workflow, including scriptwriting, storyboard generation, video synthesis and AI dubbing. It can produce around 100 short-drama episodes within a week and generate a 15-second commercial in five minutes. The platform has already seen strong commercial uptake in China.

A Vietnam-specific version of Ju Xiaobai has been localized, with multilingual capabilities and content generation aligned with local cultural and linguistic preferences. The project targets three key sectors: short dramas, digital entertainment, and e-commerce marketing.

Jiang Linfeng, general manager of FZ Entertainment, said the partnership goes beyond technology transfer. "We are not simply exporting a tool," Jiang said. "Our goal is to integrate technology, content, and operations so that this capability can take root in Vietnam."

He said that the platform significantly reduces production time and costs, cutting the timeline for 100 short-drama episodes from several months to one or two weeks, addressing longstanding efficiency constraints in Vietnam's content industry.

"This cooperation offers a practical model for Chinese AI technology going global, particularly in Southeast Asia," Jiang said. "It is not just about going overseas, but about building localized ecosystems."

Ngoc Quynh Vu, marketing director of VDEG, said the platform has already delivered tangible results. "Previously, producing a short drama required intensive manpower," she said. "Now, each key role can be handled by a single person. We have significantly lowered costs, boosted efficiency, and improved overall content quality."

She added that audience response has been strong. "At first, many viewers did not realize the content was AI-generated," she said. "The visual quality is comparable to live-action production, while costs remain low. This has attracted strong interest from potential partners."

VDEG is now expanding the platform's application to e-commerce and education. The company is in talks with apparel and food brands to produce short-form promotional videos, as well as with online education providers to develop AI training programs, according to Vu, who believes Ju Xiaobai will drive meaningful transformation in Vietnam's digital economy.

"They can drive both technological innovation and new business models," she said, adding that improved efficiency and scalability will help upgrade sectors such as short dramas and digital advertising.

She also called for deeper cooperation. "We hope to further collaborate with Chinese partners in areas such as translation technology and business models to enhance interactivity and marketing capabilities," she said.