A student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology has created a pho shop simulation game that has gone viral with over 650,000 downloads.
From a single old laptop, a final-year student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology has created a viral game that’s captivated hundreds of thousands of users in Vietnam and around the world.
From 200 failed projects to overnight success
In recent days, Pho Anh Hai has become a social media sensation. Despite only being released on October 23, the game has quickly gained attention from players both in Vietnam and abroad.
In the game, players assume the role of Anh Hai, the owner of a pho restaurant located at the fictional address of No. 10 Dan Phuong, Hanoi. Initially, players must cook pho, serve customers, and collect money correctly. They also need to care for a pet dog to prevent it from being stolen.
As players progress, secrets surrounding the village where Anh Hai’s restaurant is located begin to unfold, adding layers of mystery and intrigue.
Surprisingly, the creator of this hit game is a 2003-born student at the School of Information and Communication Technology, Hanoi University of Science and Technology.
Hanoi university student behind the viral game “Pho Anh Hai.” Photo: Thuy Nga
Speaking with VietNamNet, the student expressed shock at the game’s popularity. He began working on Pho Anh Hai on September 10, handling everything from concept design and programming to character movement and environment art. After a month, the game was completed and uploaded on October 23. Initially, it attracted little attention.
By the end of October, however, several content creators began sharing their gameplay videos on social media, sparking viral interest.
Many players say the game’s uniqueness lies not in graphics or special effects, but in its authentically Vietnamese setting. Every detail evokes a sense of nostalgia - blue plastic stools, chopstick holders on tables, red-yellow signage, concrete-cutting flyers on walls, and anti-drug slogans on old buildings. These “Vietnamese textures” make players feel like they’re sitting in a real pho shop tucked in a Hanoi alley.
According to statistics, the game has been downloaded over 650,000 times and has nearly 1 million views.
A former student from the Informatics Gifted Program at Hanoi National University of Education High School for the Gifted, the developer shared that his passion for game design started in grade 10. He was particularly inspired by the success of Flappy Bird, a game created by a former student of the same university.
He taught himself game development skills through free resources on YouTube, Q&A forums, and by studying open-source projects to understand structure and methodology.
To date, he’s completed about 200 game projects, most of which were not successful and have since been deleted. Pho Anh Hai is the first to reach hundreds of thousands of downloads.
The game’s creator emphasized that he focused heavily on storytelling. At first glance, it seems like a simple game about selling pho, but as players dive deeper, they are drawn into a narrative laced with action and mystery.
He also incorporated visual elements of Vietnamese culture, creating a sense of familiarity for local users while sparking curiosity among international players. This approach also helps promote Vietnamese cuisine and cultural identity.
“These are probably the elements that helped the game stand out,” the developer said.
Despite previous experience, the self-taught programmer still encountered challenges, such as file size limitations. The game was too large for some platforms, and compressing it caused glitches for certain users due to incompatibility with older hardware.
“I’m still working on resolving these issues,” he added.
A viral game developer who doesn’t play games
In the game, players take on the role of Anh Hai, owner of a pho shop. Photo: Thuy Nga
Interestingly, the student behind this viral sensation doesn’t play games himself.
“I find it time-consuming,” he admitted. “I mostly watch content creators play games to find ideas. Also, my laptop has low specs and can’t handle most games.”
The game was developed at zero cost. The entire process - from concept and coding to artwork - was done during his free time using only free resources from the internet.
“My main time is still spent on university coursework,” he said.
Since the game went viral, he’s received countless messages of encouragement and gratitude.
“People told me they were inspired. Many used to believe you needed a whole team or major funding to create a game. I’ve shared how I taught myself and overcame those hurdles.”
However, the unexpected attention also brought pressure.
“I feel anxious because I still need to focus on my studies and don’t want the fame to affect my mindset.”
He has received several collaboration offers but remains cautious.
“For now, I’ll listen to user feedback to improve the game and focus on graduating,” he said.
Vietnamnet.vn
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