Saigon Journey to the West film regains viral attention

The Vietnamese film ‘Saigon Journey to the West’, a comedic adaptation released over a decade ago, has recently regained viral attention on social media platforms like Threads. The film serves as a humorous sequel to the original ‘Journey to the West’ tale, depicting the characters becoming stranded in modern-day Saigon in 2014.

Directed by Nhat Trung, the production features a cast of well-known actors including Huy Khanh, Truong The Vinh, Phuong Thanh, Khoi My, and Diem My 9X. Much of the recent online discussion focuses on the unconventional character designs, particularly the portrayal of Zhu Bajie by Huy Khanh. Instead of the traditional pig-like appearance, the character is depicted as a stylish, handsome man who adapts to urban life by working as a driver for a model.

The film explores the concept of the characters facing a ‘82nd ordeal’ as they navigate the temptations and comedic situations of contemporary city life.