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The peaceful Northwest region seen through the lens of "Haha Family"
While previous summers on television screens were a fiery stage for top-tier competitions, where "Talented Men and Beautiful Women" showcased their skills, the summer of 2025 seems to be adorned with a completely different shade of "green." It's the green of peace, of profound personal experiences, and of a "healing" style of entertainment. This remarkable shift is not only reflected in the program format but also in how audiences are increasingly connecting more closely with their favorite artists.
It is these genuine, unscripted moments that transform the journey of "Haha Family - Days of Vast Sky" into an experience that viewers long to participate in, rather than just a show to watch. With a 2-3 day schedule in Ban Lien (Bac Ha), viewers can get a glimpse of the rural life that the cast is exploring.
The artists experience living and working alongside the local people at each stop along the way.
The program "Haha Family - Vast Sky Days," featuring beloved artists such as Jun Pham, Bui Cong Nam, Duy Khanh, Rhymastic, and Ngoc Thanh Tam, quickly became a sensation on social media from its very first episode.
The Haha family documented the players' experiences staying 7 days and 6 nights in the homes of local people at each stop along the way.
The stunning visuals and heartwarming stories, as the "handsome men and beautiful women" truly immerse themselves in the lives of farmers in Ban Lien village, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province, have touched the hearts of viewers.
A peaceful Northwest Vietnam
This journey led them to meet Ms. Vang Thi Thong, a local woman with masterful farming skills, who will serve as their "mentor" in the upcoming 7-day, 6-night training course. In addition, the appearance of their adorable four-legged friends, the dog Gấu and the cat Lướng, immediately became a highlight, bringing a very warm and relaxing feeling to the viewers.
Ms. Vang Thi Thong – the Tay homeowner in Ban Lien village – is "ordinary yet extraordinary."
The highlight of this journey is the rustic stilt house of Mr. Ha and Ms. Thong's family, nestled amidst ancient Shan Tuyet tea hills. This place quickly became affectionately known online as "Ban Lien Pine Homestay" – evoking a peaceful haven amidst pine forests and mountain clouds, where guests can stay for 7 days and 6 nights to truly experience local life.
The lives of the people of Bản Liền are depicted through the daily activities of Ms. Thông.
Each new day for the "family" in the show begins with heartwarming scenes in the cozy kitchen. Viewers witness Bui Cong Nam's surprise at Ms. Thong's hand-grater of cassava, remarking that it's "faster than a machine," before rolling up his sleeves to help her fry fragrant cassava patties. After a breakfast of sticky rice wrapped in purple leaves, full of the flavors of the mountains, all five members, along with Ms. Thong and their dog, Gấu, set off into the forest.
Ms. Vang Thi Thong's demeanor throughout the program brought warmth, closeness, and heartfelt emotion.
The trip wasn't simply about harvesting bamboo shoots or leaves for wrapping cakes; it was also a journey for the participants to discover a new and admirable "identity" of Ms. Vang Thi Thong. This petite Tay woman turned out to be a key member of the village's forest ranger team. The artists were even more impressed by her extraordinary qualities – a person with a deep understanding of native medicinal plants, resourceful and quick in all tasks, and actively contributing to the protection of the vast green forests of Northwest Vietnam. The image of an ordinary person accomplishing extraordinary things is one of the most moving highlights of the program.
The stunning visuals are a major plus in the opening episode of "Haha Family - Days of Vast Sky." The refreshing, peaceful green hues that permeate every frame, along with the expansive landscapes of the Northwest region, create a truly captivating picture. The program's impact has opened the door for tourists to discover a sustainable tourism community in Ban Lien, where each resident is a true "cultural ambassador."
The program recreates the dreamlike scenery of Northwest Vietnam.
Besides the Ha and Thong family, Ban Lien also has other passionate homestay models run by many Tay families. These "amateur guides" are contributing daily to spreading the beauty of their homeland through hospitality and authentic experiences: from helping the host family harvest tea and hiking through primeval forests to enjoying meals with the rich flavors of the Northwest mountains.
"Haha Family" is an "unscripted film" with a "healing" spirit, a complete contrast to the fast-paced rhythm of typical entertainment programs or short video trends on social media. Instead of creating drama or artificial dramatic situations, the program intentionally guides viewers into a relaxed, peaceful pace of life, just as the Northwest region of Vietnam offers.
"The Haha Family" doesn't demand intense concentration or create tension. Instead, the characters' journey unfolds in a warm and resonant atmosphere, complemented by beautiful shots of nature.
The fact that the program maintained a stable viewership throughout its 90-minute "unscripted" run, and achieved top ratings after its first episode, revealed a surprising trend: audiences are becoming more patient with entertainment television content. They are willing to sit back and enjoy it at their leisure, reflecting on it, instead of quickly flipping through channels as they did before.
From there, the program transcended the definition of a quality entertainment product, gradually becoming a new companion that helps connect family members and soothe the hectic lives of many Vietnamese viewers.
This was an impressive debut, especially considering that many still believe viewers tend to prefer "hot," energetic entertainment programs. This confirms that the strong appeal of each television program depends on its inherent quality and value, rather than market-driven content or fleeting trends. This resounding success from the very beginning is not only a positive sign for the producers but also demonstrates that Vietnamese audiences remain open to high-quality and meaningful entertainment.
