In recent years, Vietnam has witnessed remarkable development in the film and tourism industries. With the strong combination of these two fields, cinema is not only an entertainment art but also a powerful tool to promote tourism, culture and Vietnamese people to global audiences.
Advantages of promoting tourism through cinema
Mr. Nicholas Simon, General Director of Indochina Productions - an international film production company that has carried out many projects in Vietnam, believes that Vietnam has a lot of potential to become a film studio, many places can be used as backdrops for filming scenes such as Ha Long, Hoi An, Hanoi ... There are even many very special places that have never appeared in films and areas that are rarely exploited such as Can Gio in Ho Chi Minh City, but through films, these places not only appear vividly but also convey the culture and long history of the country.
A poetic corner of Hoi An ancient town is exploited by many Vietnamese filmmakers.
In particular, putting beautiful scenes into movies not only helps promote tourism but also creates a closer and friendlier image of the country in the eyes of international audiences. It can be seen that international movies that have been filmed in Vietnam such as The Quiet American (2002) and Kong: Skull Island (2017) have contributed significantly to promoting the country's image to global audiences.
Or recently, the film Hai Muoi was brought by the director to participate in the event "Promoting Vietnamese tourism and cinema in the United States" at the end of September organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, demonstrating its success in contributing greatly to promoting tourism in Ho Chi Minh City.
The film has received positive feedback from international audiences, because the wild natural scenes, combined with the authenticity in the storytelling, have left a strong impression on viewers. Specifically, the image of the diligent salt workers on the white salt fields in Can Gio island district or a new tourist destination with a biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO.
In addition, the film also features beautiful scenes at famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City such as the City Post Office, Turtle Lake, Binh Khanh ferry... These are not only famous landmarks for domestic tourists but also promising destinations for international filmmakers who want to explore the harmony between Vietnamese culture and nature.
The salt fields in the movie Hai Muoi in Thieng Lieng hamlet, Can Gio district (Ho Chi Minh City) left an impressive and beautiful image in the eyes of international tourists when participating in the event "Promoting Vietnamese tourism and cinema in the United States".
According to Mr. Nicholas Simon, Ninh Binh is a typical example of the impact of cinema on tourism, contributing to the development of tourism in Vietnam. Currently, in the United States, there is a famous program called White Lotus. If programs like White Lotus come to Vietnam, it will create a big buzz to promote tourism.
Mr. Marc E. Knapper, US Ambassador to Vietnam affirmed: “There is no better way to promote cultural exchange and tourism than through cinema. Audiences around the world will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of Vietnam through films and will certainly urge them to experience it in real life. Therefore, the combination of cinema and tourism is becoming an important strategy to bring Vietnam to the world, not only through its natural beauty but also through the story of its people and unique culture.”
According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the US is one of the key markets for Vietnamese tourism, with high spending and long stays. This market is in the top 5 in terms of international visitors to Vietnam, with a growth rate of about 11.5% per year. In 2023, the number of US visitors to Vietnam reached 717,000, recovering about 96% compared to 2019. In the first 8 months of 2024 alone, Vietnam welcomed 529,000 US visitors, an increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Opportunity for Vietnamese cinema to reach the world
With support from government policies and increased international cooperation, Vietnamese cinema is facing great opportunities to reach out to the world. In particular, the Cinema Law 2022 (effective from January 1, 2023) has introduced many measures to support the film industry, from simplifying administrative procedures to providing tax incentives for international filmmakers.
These changes have attracted the attention of foreign filmmakers, creating favorable conditions for film projects to be carried out in Vietnam. In particular, Ho Chi Minh City is considered one of the fastest growing film centers, possessing diverse cultural and historical values, ideal for the development of the film industry.
Foreign tourists love to come to Vietnam to learn about history and culture.
With the goal of building Ho Chi Minh City into a “Cinema City”, the local government has actively promoted the city’s image through international films and events. It can be seen that the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival, held for the first time in April 2024, is a testament to the strong development of the local film industry. This film festival not only attracts domestic filmmakers but also opens up opportunities to exchange and learn from international cinema.
Mr. Nicholas Simon said: “Vietnam has a lot of potential to become an ideal destination for international filmmakers, from diverse landscapes to rich culture, this is an endless resource for cinema. The government's support policies and openness in international cooperation will be important factors to help Vietnamese cinema reach the world level.”
Not only promoting culture and tourism, Vietnamese cinema is also making important strides in improving production quality and international cooperation. Young Vietnamese filmmakers have gradually demonstrated their talent and creativity through many international projects. Vietnamese films participating in major film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin or Venice have contributed to building the reputation of the country's film industry in the international arena.
It is expected that the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival 2025 will continue to be held on a larger scale, attracting more international film crews. Many international experts also recognize that Vietnamese cinema, especially in Ho Chi Minh City, has a lot of potential, room for development and is increasingly affirming its mark on the international stage. With the available potential and support from policies, Vietnamese cinema can completely reach out to the world, bringing sustainable values to the country.
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