Miệt Thương Mến: A Game Art Graduation Project Reimagining Mekong Delta Culture by Lê Hoàng Quốc Anh

When people think of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, images of winding waterways and lush, fruit-laden orchards often come to mind. However, in “Miệt Thương Mến”—a Game Art Design graduation project by Lê Hoàng Quốc Anh, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture—the Southern countryside comes alive in full color, highlighting the distinct cultural vibe of each sub-region, or “Miệt”.

For the project demo, An Giang was chosen as the showcase destination to bring this concept to life—a unique land rich in cultural intersection and vibrant local heritage. Crafted in a charming pixel art style using tools like Illustrator, After Effects, and Aseprite, every frame and animation in the project was meticulously detailed.

Beyond signature stilt houses and iconic river landscapes, “Miệt Thương Mến” weaves in heartwarming, slice-of-life touches, like rice husk boats floating across the river, traditional ancestral altars, and even the instantly recognizable Zalo notification chime. The seamless blend of visual arts, fluid animation, and sound effects evokes a cozy, peaceful, and deeply familiar feel for the viewer.

Through the creative lens of game design, the project turns everyday elements of homeland heritage into a modern storytelling medium, bringing local cultural values closer to the younger generation.