Tough role: Young actor Tien Loc (right) plays the main character in Viet Nam Film Company's latest crime drama TV series Cau Hoi So 5 (Question No 5), which is being broadcast on VTV3. — Photo courtesy of VTV

HCM CITY  (VNS) — TV crime and fantasy series on local television stations have attracted more viewers this season with exciting, compelling episodes.

Cau Hoi So 5 (Question No 5), for example, produced by the Viet Nam Film Company (VFC), is part of the crime TV series Canh Sat Hinh Su (Criminal Police), which has been produced since 1997.

"With the fame of Canh Sat Hinh Su, I believe in the success of the show," said director Bui Quoc Viet, who has succeeded with several crime TV series.

The 30-episode drama features senior lieutenant Phong, captain of criminal police team, and his colleagues who face challenges in work and private life.

"We use new technologies to make exciting shows," said Viet, adding that the work highlighted forensic tools in examining the evidence with the help of policemen who specialise in crime.

Viet added it also included fight scenes and thrilling chase shots featuring Vietnamese traditional martial arts.

In hope of breathing new life into the shows, the filmmakers invited young actor Tien Loc to play the leading role.

Loc became popular among TV audiences after VFC's drama Cham Tay Vao Noi Nho, reflecting the life of students in police school.

The show also stars veteran actors Do Ky, Minh Thao and Kieu Thanh.

"As a loyal viewer of TV series Canh Sat Hinh Su, I am curious and waiting for Cau Hoi So 5 when hearing information about the film," said 62-year-old Do Ba Thanh from Bien Hoa City.

"The filmmakers did not disappoint me. I find that the fight and chase scenes are scary and the forensic examination scenes surprising. But they help me know how brave the police are when they try to solve a crime," he said.

"Canh Sat Hinh Su has become more and more fantastic," Thanh said.

The drama is being broadcast two episodes per week on Viet Nam Television's channel VTV3.

The VTV Can Tho 1 channel is showing Bui Tran Phieu Phieu (Dust of Life), a fantasy romantic comedy TV series produced by the Khang Viet Film Studio, and directed by Hanh Thuy and Nguyen Duc Viet.

With 30 parts, the series is about two heroes living 1,000 years ago. For unknown reasons, they time-travel to Viet Nam in the 21st century where they encounter familiar faces, modern-day devices, and corporate intrigue.

However, they cannot get acquainted with modern life and have to find a way back to their own time period.

"I was attracted when I first read the screenplay," Thuy said. "I expect the audiences will learn many lessons about love and life through the film."

"Audiences will be satisfied with beautiful scenes and modern technologies used in the film," she added.

To attract more audiences, filmmakers have invited famous actors and comedic actors to be involved in the film, including Duong Hoang Anh, Le Quoc Nam, Cong Hau and Tuyen Map (Fat Tuyen).

Tran Thu Trang, an audience member in District 5, said: "I'm interested in the film. It has been a long time since Vietnamese filmmakers have cared about such exciting topics."

The series is being broadcast from Monday to Friday. — VNS