Gang of Five was initiated in Hanoi by five young artists in the early 1990s, including Hong Viet Dung, Ha Tri Hieu, Dang Xuan Hoa, Tran Luong, and Pham Quang Vinh. They are appreciated as the most potential artists in their generation, and are the first group of artists in post-Doi Moi (Renovation) period to receive international attention.

Gang of Five is well-known for art pieces with bold concepts that depict individual emotions while explore different expressions of art (through themes, colors, and materials). Thanks to this, Gang of Five completely separates itself from the Realism language which was popular in Vietnam until mid-1980s.