The Girl from Yesterday

The plot opens in Southern Vietnam in 1997, following a clever young student named Thu. We see Thu as a child forming a bond with his neighbor Tieu Ly, sharing playful moments and early curiosities. The setup hints at a lasting influence that will ripple through his later life.

Tieu Ly and her family relocate, leaving Thu heartbroken. He clings to a secret notebook that records their time together, a keepsake of their bond. The notebook becomes a symbol of a love that will shape his future years.

An older Thu develops strong feelings for a classmate named Viet An. He borrows books from her and even writes lyrics inside them, hoping to win her attention. He learns Viet An likes candies and begins buying treats for her and her friends, stretching his money thin.

Viet An discovers lyrics in a borrowed book and asks Thu to get her a new one. Thu borrows another book and stays up late to finish it, determined to please her. The effort becomes a routine as he tries to capture Viet An's interest.

Desperate to win Viet An's heart, Thu turns to his best friend Hai for guidance, but success remains elusive. His feelings for Viet An grow stronger, while he also begins to miss his childhood friend Tieu Ly. The emotional tension marks a turning point in his life.

When Viet An falls ill, Thu volunteers to copy down the lessons she misses and visits her. In tending to Viet An's notes, he neglects his own studies and is reprimanded by his teacher. The teacher discovers a love poem Thu wrote about Viet An, which Viet An scolds but still agrees to go to the movies with him.

Thu and Viet An plan a cinema outing, hoping for a quiet moment together. To his surprise, Viet An invites her close friend Hong Hoa to join, complicating the dynamic. The date becomes a lesson in navigating shared attention and friendship.

Parallel to Thu's story, Chieu Minh and her PE teacher Luc develop a romance. Chieu Minh's heart defect prompts Luc to take her to the city for proper treatment, seeking a cure. The journey expands the world beyond Thu's immediate circle.

A misunderstanding between Thu and Luc escalates into a physical confrontation, resulting in Thu's suspension from school. The dispute strains Thu's friendships and his academic progress. The suspension forces Thu to rely on friends to catch up.

During his suspension, Hai and Viet An visit Thu's home to teach him the lessons he missed and help him stay on track. The tutoring stabilizes his grades and restores his routine. The episodes deepen his bond with Viet An and his friends.

Over time, Thu and Viet An officially become a couple, while Hai and Viet An's close friend Hong Hoa also pair up. The romantic circles deepen as the group grows closer and supports each other. The film threads together multiple youthful romances against daily life.

Thu brings Viet An home to show her his secret notebook, only to misinterpret that she uses its papers for paper boats. He angrily confronts her, but soon realizes the pages were blank. On a bridge, Viet An reveals that she is actually Tieu Ly, the childhood friend he has long missed, confirming they are soul mates.