The first depicts a love triangle between three men, Khôi, Lam, and Đông, amidst a backdrop of male prostitution.

The second concerns a mentally handicapped man, Cười, his friendship with Hạnh, a female prostitute, and his attempts to raise a duckling.

[3] Other cast members:- The film is set in Saigon, where Khôi arrives from Nha Trang after being disowned by his family on account of his homosexuality.

A returning, manipulative Đông dogs the couple which culminates in Lam wounding his antagonist with a stab to the foot.

The film's second plot concerns a mentally handicapped man named Cười and his endeavors to raise a duckling, while intermittently attempting to befriend a prostitute, Hạnh.

At the film's close, the pimp's threat to eat Cười's duck prompts Hạnh to club her and an enforcer to death.

[6] International distribution rights were subsequently acquired by Amsterdam and Hong Kong-based Fortissimo Films, making it the company's first Vietnamese title.

"[10] VietnamNet noted that Vietnamese films typically denigrate effeminate or transgender people while using them as sources of comedy, while prostitute characters are used for suggestive or provocative purposes; Lost in Paradise places them in the central roles of a love story depicting their predicament.

The website noted the themes of alienation and fear amongst homosexuals and the film's humane, intimate and empathetic portrayal.