Japanese Film Festival in Vietnam Sells Out: The Allure of Japanese Cinema

The 2025 Japanese Film Festival in Vietnam will take place in four major cities: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The program will run from December 12, 2025, to January 23, 2026.

Ten works were screened during the program. (Photo: Organizers)

Opening at the National Film Center ( Hanoi ) on the evening of December 12th, the 2025 Japanese Film Festival proved its strong appeal, with tickets selling out quickly after going on sale on the morning of December 8th.

The program, organized by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam and supported by various other agencies and organizations, featured 10 films. Notably, films such as "The Love Letter" (1995) , "Seven Samurai" (1954), and "The Ghost in the Box" (1995)... were all fully booked.

These are classic films that have been loved over time, establishing their own brands and fan communities.

" Love Letter" was chosen to open the film festival. The film was screened in 4K to celebrate its 30th anniversary. It has won Best Film, Best Supporting Actor, Best Newcomer of the Year... from the Japan Academy Awards and many other accolades.

Miho Nakayama's innocent beauty in "A Love Letter." (Image from the film)

The film is simple yet evokes strong emotions in modern audiences through a story that is both classic and timeless. The Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Ito Naoki, hopes that Vietnamese audiences will have many positive feelings and proudly share that they have seen the film "The Love Letter." "I also hope that you will continue to show interest in Japanese cinema," Mr. Ito Naoki shared.

Furthermore, the films are also backed by numerous awards both domestically and internationally, most notably "Seven Samurai" by world- renowned director Akira Kurosawa, which won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Ghost in the Shell," adapted from the manga of the same name, commemorates the 30th anniversary of its release. The film stands out in the world-renowned cyberpunk science fiction genre, a genre also closely associated with Japan.

The remaining films, such as "Sunset Sunrise," "Showtime 7," and "The Imaginary," are new releases from 2023-2025 and all have occupancy rates above 50%.

In particular, the film "Cells at Work, " directed by Hideki Takeuchi, came to Vietnam for a live interaction, attracting considerable attention from film and Japanese culture enthusiasts.

Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema, Mr. Do Quoc Viet, commented that the 10 feature films screened this year are diverse in genre, including drama, comedy, romance, and thrilling crime films, making them suitable for a wide range of audiences.

"These films all contain profound messages, reflecting a multifaceted and nuanced exploration of social life," commented Mr. Do Quoc Viet.

Representatives from both countries hope that events like the film festival will help Vietnamese audiences gain a deeper understanding of Japan and vice versa, thereby strengthening understanding and cooperation between the two countries in many different areas.

Ticket booking information:

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/lien-hoan-phim-nhat-ban-tai-viet-nam-chay-ve-suc-hut-tu-dien-anh-xu-phu-tang-post1082848.vnp