Introducing Vietnam's attractive "background library" at the Cannes Film Festival

According to VNA correspondent in France, on May 14, within the framework of the 78th Cannes International Film Festival, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in coordination with the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association successfully organized the workshop "Vietnam - Dynamic Asian market and new destination for international film crews."

The event attracted the participation of many international filmmakers, producers, directors, experts and partners. Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang attended the event.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, highlighted Vietnam's dual potential in the film industry, not only as a destination for unique and novel filming locations, but also as a vibrant and growing film market with many opportunities for co-production and distribution.

Comparing Vietnam to an extremely diverse "background library", Mr. Trung Khanh cited many famous places: from the winding mountain passes amidst the sea of ​​clouds in Ha Giang, the majestic cave system in Quang Binh, Hoi An Ancient Town with its unique architectural fusion, the ancient capital of Hue with its citadels, palaces, and mausoleums, to the coastline of more than 3,200km with modern beaches in Da Nang , Nha Trang and the wild beauty of Phu Quoc, Con Dao...

Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion and Development Association, spoke at the workshop. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

Besides diverse landscapes, Vietnam is also rich in culture and people with 54 ethnic groups living together, creating a diverse cultural picture of customs, festivals, cuisine , costumes, architecture... The heroic history of thousands of years of building and defending the country is also an endless source of inspiration for epic and war works.

Referring to international cooperation in the field of cinema, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang highly appreciated the cooperation between Vietnam and France, considering it a "proud model" and expressed his desire to continue strengthening this partnership through exchange, production and training programs.

Affirming the desire to make cinema a key pillar in the country's cultural and economic development, the Ambassador invited international partners to "explore the richness and diversity of Vietnamese cinema, a mirror reflecting a country in transformation, open to the world and proud of its own identity."

Within the framework of the conference, in addition to short films showing the overview of Vietnamese cinema, speakers who are directors, film producers, representatives of the Department of Cinema and the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association discussed and introduced the scale and resilience of the Vietnamese cinema market; analyzed the opportunities and untapped potentials in the field of film production, both domestically and internationally; shared about successful co-production models, especially how independent Vietnamese filmmakers find their way to the world; introduced the legal framework and policies to support cinema development, as well as notable positive changes in the revised Cinema Law, demonstrating the strong commitment of the Vietnamese Government to creating an increasingly favorable filmmaking environment for domestic and international filmmakers.

Also in the program, the speakers and guests discussed the journey and strategy of promoting Vietnamese films to the international market, identifying the advantages and challenges that exist.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the National Tourism Administration, introduced to foreign partners about scenic spots as well as the potential of film studios in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

In particular, in the discussion session on "The strategy for connecting tourism and cinema in the future," Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasized the importance of combining tourism and cinema. According to him, cinema is not only the "seventh art" but also the most effective communication channel to promote the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam, thereby attracting high-quality tourists and enhancing the Vietnamese tourism brand.

Mr. Do Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Cinema Department, said that to attract world film producers, Vietnam is constantly making efforts to improve the filmmaking environment, from infrastructure to legal procedures and local human resources.

Specifically, the Cinema Department is proposing more incentives for international filmmakers such as tax refund incentives, reducing administrative procedures, and building policies to create favorable conditions for filmmakers.

Mr. Quoc Viet emphasized: "From now on, we have actively discussed with localities where filmmakers registered to come and film in Vietnam."

Ms. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of the Vietnam Film Promotion and Development Association (VFDA), shared: "Vietnamese cinema has had remarkable development in recent years, especially the film market has developed very quickly. Some Vietnamese films have been well-reviewed at international film festivals and young filmmakers are very enthusiastic and passionate about their work. However, for Vietnamese cinema to develop sustainably, there is still a lot to do, especially in perfecting policies and the legal framework."

Roundtable discussion within the framework of the workshop "Vietnam - Dynamic Asian market and new destination for international film crews". (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

Emphasizing the Association's role in attracting film crews to Vietnam and acting as a bridge between filmmakers and localities, Ms. Phuong Lan said that VFDA has currently built a set of indexes with 5 preferential criteria on finance, information, field, legal procedures and infrastructure.

In addition, the Association also coordinates with Da Nang city to organize the annual International Film Festival in Vietnam to create a playground to promote Vietnamese cinema to the world and bring famous international cinema works to Vietnam.

Speaking to VNA reporters at the conference, many international film producers expressed special interest in Vietnam as a future filmmaking destination.

“It’s great to see the Vietnam Cinema Department at the Cannes Film Festival,” said Cristina Nava, a film producer from the US. “I understand this is the first time you’ve attended this event, which is really a great honor.”

Ms. Cristina Nava also said that seminars like this help her understand and get closer to Vietnam and she is currently working on a project set in the S-shaped land.

“I have a story set in Vietnam. Being able to shoot the film right where it takes place is really exciting,” the producer shared.

For her part, British filmmaker Anita Lewton-Moukkes said she has watched many independent Vietnamese films and found them not only beautiful but also captivating.

She believes "Vietnam will become a great cinema destination in the future."

Sharing about her cherished project, she said: “I currently have a project that I want to do in Vietnam. The work is called 'Descendants' . Recently, I have been following the Asian film market and I know that Vietnam will be the next great destination. I set the film in Vietnam and the story revolves around the connection between past and future generations. I really believe in the development of Vietnamese cinema - a cinema that is growing strongly with beautiful filming locations. I have been to Vietnam many times, traveled all over the country and I am determined to make this film here.”

Vietnam's booth at the film market of the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival. (Photo: Nguyen Thu Ha/VNA)

Within the framework of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 13-24, in addition to the Workshop "Vietnam - Dynamic Asian Market and New Destination for International Film Crews," the Vietnamese Cinema Night in Cannes will be held on May 16 to help international filmmakers, artists and partners have the opportunity to meet, exchange and learn more about Vietnamese cinema, marking an important step forward in the effort to promote Vietnam as an attractive destination for international filmmakers.

It can be said that the 2025 Cannes Film Festival not only brings rich and diverse experiences to film lovers, but also creates opportunities for developing cinemas like Vietnam to step into the international arena, thereby affirming its position in the world cinema industry.

With its diverse landscape, unique culture and open cooperation policy, Vietnam is not only a dynamic market in Asia but is also striving to become a new creative destination for international cinema, where global filmmakers find inspiration, companionship and opportunities for sustainable cooperation./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/gioi-thieu-thu-vien-boi-canh-hap-dan-cua-viet-nam-tai-lien-hoan-phim-cannes-post1038613.vnp