Bringing the beauty of the homeland into works of art.

BAC NINH - Possessing beautiful natural landscapes, ancient rural scenery, a dense network of historical sites, and a rich treasure trove of intangible cultural heritage, the Kinh Bac region is gradually becoming a promising "open film set." Bac Ninh is leveraging these advantages to attract filmmakers, opening up new avenues for the sustainable development of the cultural industry and tourism.

Telling stories of heritage and culture.

Over time, more and more filmmakers have come to Bac Ninh to select themes and settings for their films, cinematic projects, and works of art. Typically, when coming to Bac Ninh, directors and filmmakers don't seek grandiose scenes but rather a "space with a story." And in the Kinh Bac region, every temple, pagoda, riverside location, and traditional craft village carries within it a layer of cultural sediment that tells long and rich stories.

The Lunar New Year film crew is shooting at Bo Da Pagoda.

The Indian film "Love Garden" (Prem Ki Surdhara) recently won the Best Picture award at the 8th Haryana International Film Festival (held from March 25-28, 2026 in Kurukshetra, India). In the film, the female protagonist yearns to return to her homeland, the birthplace of Quan Ho folk music, through dreams and stories about her deceased mother. The film impresses with its rich and distinctive approach to Quan Ho folk music – a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

The film is inspired by the life and contributions of a son of Kinh Bac region – Professor, Honorary Doctor, artist Chu Bao Que, Deputy Secretary-General of the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations. For many years, he has dedicated himself to researching, preserving, and teaching Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk songs and other forms of folk art. In the film, Quan Ho is not just music but a vibrant cultural space, encompassing everything from call-and-response singing and customs to interpersonal relationships.

"The Provincial Center for Culture and Tourism Promotion has connected with and invited more than 40 delegates, including representatives from the Film Department, film studios, producers, directors, screenwriters, and artists, to meet with provincial leaders and departments; and to participate in a thematic workshop on developing the cultural and film industry in conjunction with tourism, scheduled to take place in May 2026. This is an important step in the strategy to promote and attract film crews from both domestic and international sources to Bac Ninh, thereby effectively promoting the heritage, landscapes, and people of Kinh Bac," said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Director of the Provincial Center for Culture and Tourism Promotion.

The scenes at Bo Da Pagoda, the ancient village, and the riverbank are portrayed with a serene beauty. This simplicity allows international audiences to better appreciate the depth of the region's culture. Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury, the film's producer, shared: "What impressed us wasn't just the scenery, but the 'strength of the community' – where heritage remains present in everyday life. The cultural space of Kinh Bac, when depicted in the film, takes on a unique character. It's the tranquility of the ancient temples and pagodas, the slow pace of life in the countryside, and the strong sense of community expressed through every small detail."

Kinh Bac – a region rich in historical relics, ancient architecture, rural landscapes, and unique intangible cultural values ​​– has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for creating impressive films and television series.

In reality, heritage spaces not only help recreate historical contexts, customs, and traditions, but also highlight spiritual values ​​such as community cohesion, traditional morality, and village life – elements that audiences are increasingly seeking in modern life.

Many actors and artists who came to film at Bo Da Pagoda, Tho Ha ancient village (Van Ha ward), Diem village (Kinh Bac ward), or along the Cau River embankment... shared the same opinion about the scenery and atmosphere being "very real," very close to their memories of Northern Vietnamese villages.

Previously, the "Lonely Tree" on the Cau River dike (Kinh Bac ward) - a poetic scene - was chosen as a backdrop in many television dramas such as: "The Season of Finding Flowers Again" (2021), "The Roads Near and Far" (2024)... Professional camera angles from films have highlighted the rustic, simple beauty of the Northern Delta countryside, making this location a popular destination for tourists to visit and take photos.

Proactively connect and create a boost for tourism.

Bac Ninh is orienting itself towards exploiting the link between art, heritage, and tourism as a suitable approach to both preserve traditional values ​​and create momentum for sustainable tourism development with a rich cultural identity.

In fact, following films, music, and artistic media products, many destinations such as Bo Da Pagoda, Quan Ho folk singing spaces, and Kinh Bac villages have been explored and chosen by many tourists in their cultural discovery journeys. The effect of popular art is even more evident in the music video "Bac Bling" by singer Hoa Minzy, with hundreds of millions of views on digital platforms. Images of Do Temple, Dau Pagoda, Dong Ho painting village, Diem village, etc., appearing in the music video quickly became popular destinations that many people searched for.

Seizing on this trend, Bac Ninh quickly launched a free tour called "The Quintessence of Bac Ninh Culture - Colors of Heritage," connecting destinations associated with artistic products. The number of registered visitors increased rapidly, from a few trips per week to dozens of trips per day, demonstrating the appeal of this innovative approach.

The painting "Tố Nữ" (a type of Đông Hồ folk painting) was recreated by singer Hòa Minzy in her music video "Bắc Bling".

Recognizing the immense potential of art, especially film, for tourism, Bac Ninh has been "opening its doors" to welcome film projects. In recent times, the province has actively improved infrastructure, creating favorable conditions for film crews to survey and film; and strengthened coordination among relevant agencies to ensure the production process is safe and efficient.

Several domestic and international film and television projects have chosen Bac Ninh as a filming location, from the ancient Tho Ha village, temples, and pagodas to characteristic community living spaces. In 2025, Bac Ninh is expected to welcome over 6.3 million visitors, including nearly 550,000 international tourists, a significant increase compared to previous years. Many tourists are eager to see firsthand the natural landscapes, touch the heritage sites, and experience the unique cultural features of Bac Ninh after seeing them on film.

Bac Ninh province has the honor of hosting the 25th Vietnam Film Festival in 2027. This is not only a significant milestone in the field of culture and art but also opens up great opportunities for cinema to become a "lever" for promoting tourism. In preparation for the event, the province is actively implementing many activities, most notably organizing meetings with professionals to share experiences, discuss preparations for hosting the Film Festival, and exchange ideas, cooperate, and seek opportunities for development in the film and tourism sectors.

Following the directives of the Provincial People's Committee, these activities, in addition to showcasing potential, also aim to invite film crews to directly survey the system of historical and cultural relics, traditional craft villages, scenic spots, and unique cultural spaces on both banks of the Cau River. From there, filmmakers can propose ideas, develop scripts, and select suitable locations to produce works that bear the distinctive mark of Bac Ninh.

Following the field surveys, the province will organize seminars and discussions on the potential for developing the cultural economy associated with film; coordination mechanisms in film production; and specialized workshops on developing the cultural and film industry in conjunction with tourism.

With careful planning, strategic preparation, and a systematic and synchronized approach, Bac Ninh hopes to become a destination rich in creative inspiration, where films not only spread the beauty of its culture but also contribute to promoting sustainable tourism development and bringing the image of the locality to a wider audience.

Vi Le Thanh

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/dua-ve-dep-que-huong-vao-tac-pham-nghe-thuat-postid444574.bbg