The Astonishing Portrait of “Phở Anh Hai” Author Unveiled on VTV

The game “Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant” continues to captivate players with its unprecedented charm. Following the appearance of “Mr. Gold” on the Government Information fanpage, advocating against unleashing pets in public spaces, the game’s creator made a televised appearance on VTV’s “24-Hour Motion” news segment on November 5th.

Notably, despite the media exposure, the creator insisted on remaining anonymous. During the interview with journalist Minh Dũng, the face of “Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant” creator was blurred, revealing only their eyes and hands.

In the segment, the creator shared: “I never imagined the game would gain such popularity. Yet, I feel incredibly happy. It stems from my desire to develop a game rooted in Vietnamese culture, and I chose pho—a familiar theme to Vietnamese people and, of course, renowned worldwide.”

Regarding the game’s budget and investment, the creator mentioned no financial investment, utilizing freely available online resources and modifying them. This is why the game remains entirely free.

Additionally, the creator addressed misconceptions, reiterating that the game is not a graduation project but a personal endeavor for entertainment. Memes were incorporated to resonate with Gen Z players.

Broadcaster Sơn Lâm commented on the game’s controversies: “Amidst the praise, there are concerns. Some argue that the game portrays Vietnamese culture negatively, featuring dog theft, rebellious youth, and violence.”

“These concerns are partly valid but also inaccurate. It’s inaccurate because it’s a personal project with no investment or grand ambitions, just the work of a creative young game enthusiast. However, it’s true that Vietnamese culture can be a captivating theme, appealing to international players without imitation.”

Previously, the creator requested anonymity, known only as “marisa0704,” a student at the School of Information and Communication Technology (SoICT), Hanoi University of Science and Technology.

The creator reflected on the game’s viral success: “Honestly, I never dreamed this small project would go viral. Everything happened so suddenly. In the first five days, the game was virtually unknown, with slow downloads. Then, one morning, it exploded on social media. Support grew exponentially.”

“I received countless compliments, encouragement, and gratitude for inspiring others. I’m deeply moved. No words can express my gratitude. I’ll do my best to reciprocate this support.”

The name “Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant” was initially a placeholder for the project folder, intended to be replaced later. However, halfway through development, the creator decided to keep it, translating it to “Brother Hai’s Pho Restaurant” in English.

The address “10 Đan Phượng, Hanoi” is fictional, created for fun, like any ordinary pho shop. The surrounding scenery, however, is based on the creator’s neighborhood, adding authenticity and familiarity.

“The supporting characters were developed around the main storyline. Their dialogues and actions, though seemingly disjointed, form a complete picture when players reach the True End. Some characters incorporate memes for humor, with no other intent. Interestingly, most characters have no names, fostering a sense of familiarity and universality.”