Opening up many opportunities for tourism-cinema cooperation between Vietnam and the US

On September 16, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a press conference to introduce the Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program in the US.

This is a key tourism promotion event organized by the Ministry at the end of September to open up new opportunities to promote the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam through cinema.

Scene of the press conference. (Photo: Le An)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong affirmed that Vietnam has long been known as an attractive destination with beautiful landscapes, from the majestic Ha Long Bay, to the charming ancient town of Hoi An or the poetic highlands.

The Deputy Minister affirmed: “Our country also possesses rich cultural and historical heritages, along with the beauty in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. This is an invaluable resource not only for the tourism industry but also for Vietnamese and international cinema.

With a deep understanding of the power of cinema in promoting tourism, we have built this Program and hope to bring the image of Vietnam closer to international audiences, especially audiences in the United States - one of the largest and most diverse cultural markets.

The Vietnam tourism-cinema promotion program in the United States with the title “Vietnam – New destination of world cinema” aims to introduce Vietnam as not only an ideal destination for tourists but also an attractive destination for the world's leading filmmakers, film directors and actors.

This affirms that Vietnam has locations that can become famous film studios for both natural landscapes and diverse cultural identities.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese delegation will visit, work and discuss with Google to promote cooperation in development, communication and promotion of Vietnamese tourism and cinema.

This program to promote Vietnamese tourism and cinema in the United States is a major promotional activity of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism abroad with the participation of many localities: City. Ha Noi, City. Ho Chi Minh, the provincial Ninh Binh and province Quang Binh; large tourism corporations and businesses including: Vietnam Airlines, VinGroup, SOVICO Group, Vietravel...

According to Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh, the promotion program also includes KOLs and promotional faces: H'Hen Nie - Miss Universe Vietnam 2017, Luong Thuy Linh - Miss World Vietnam 2019, actress, MC Quyen Linh, actress Mai Thu Huyen...

The organizers will display photos introducing nature, landscape, history, culture, UNESCO heritage, Vietnamese people; destinations, products, tourism services; and potential film backgrounds.

The highlight is the Workshop introducing Vietnam's tourism and cinema potential; beautiful films filmed in Vietnam; Vietnam's mechanisms and policies to facilitate international filmmakers; specific support and incentive commitments from localities and businesses brought to the program...

Notably, world-renowned filmmakers and directors are expected to attend the event to share their experiences making films in Vietnam, such as: Mr. Phillip Noyce, film director Quiet Americans; Mr. Jordan Vogt-Robert, film director Kong: Skull Island; Ms. Leann Emmert, Film Set Director Kong: Skull Island; Ms. Lori Balton, Film Set Director Shang Chi; Mr. Justin Booth, Film Production Director Challenge….

At the press conference, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Evans Knapper emphasized the US Embassy's participation in the Vietnam Tourism-Cinema Promotion Program to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

According to the Ambassador, films are a powerful tool of soft power diplomacy and cultural exchange, bridging cultural differences and further strengthening connections between people and countries.

Through events such as the Vietnam Film-Tourism Promotion Program, Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper hopes and encourages more American filmmakers to come to Vietnam and choose Vietnam as a destination for filming their films, thereby contributing to discovering iconic landmarks that can become tourist destinations sought after by international visitors, generating revenue for local businesses.

Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper affirmed that the US Diplomatic Mission in Vietnam is always ready to support expanding cooperation in the field of cinema and other creative industries.

At the press conference, answering reporters' questions TG&VN Regarding tourism and film cooperation opportunities between the two countries, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong said that this program opens up opportunities to introduce the brand of friendly, high-quality, and sustainable Vietnamese tourism destinations; is an opportunity for Vietnamese tourism service providers to meet and connect with US businesses and partners; promote the signing and commitment to effectively implement cooperation agreements on tourism and film between the two sides...

Delegates attending the press conference took a souvenir photo. (Photo: Le An)

The Deputy Minister shared: “With this program, we expect to open up many cooperation opportunities between filmmakers and tourism businesses, in order to exploit the maximum potential of these two fields.

We look forward to receiving cooperation from international film partners, especially from the US. Vietnam is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for foreign film crews to come to Vietnam to carry out their projects. From supporting administrative procedures to providing information on potential filming locations, we are always ready to accompany and support as much as possible.

At the same time, through this program, Vietnamese filmmakers will have the opportunity to learn and exchange with international colleagues - the world's leading Hollywood filmmakers, thereby contributing to improving the quality and position of Vietnamese cinema in the international arena.

The Vietnamese Government always identifies culture, tourism and cinema as key areas in economic development and promoting the national image. Therefore, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is ready to accompany international partners, creating specific support programs and policies to promote sustainable development in these areas.