Step out of your dreams.
HIFF 2024 proved its appeal as outdoor film screenings, cultural events, and art performances attracted tens of thousands of viewers. Many experienced for the first time everything from classic Vietnamese films to international blockbusters on the big screen, in an open space, surrounded by nature and the cool breeze from the Saigon River. Eyes were captivated, joy overflowing. This scene also evoked memories for generations of watching films amidst the gunfire of war on boats in the swamps or mobile film screenings on open ground. It's regrettable that with the end of HIFF, this activity also ceased, leaving behind a sense of loss for a public space where people could fully immerse themselves in a rich artistic atmosphere.
Ho Chi Minh City – a city by the river – is closely associated with the enjoyment of culture and tourism along its waterways: Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi (District 4), Bach Dang Park, Ba Son Bridge (District 1), Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal (District 3), Lan Anh Marina (Thu Duc City), Viet Star Marina (District 7), Binh Dong Marina (District 8)... River festivals and spring flower festivals, held "on the docks and on the boats," are becoming increasingly professional and well-organized in the city's development.
Ho Chi Minh City cinema thus inherits the tradition of revolutionary cinema from the swamps and marshes, which began in 1947. At that time, pioneering filmmakers rowed dozens of kilometers to buy stone for developing film, carrying out the entire process in enclosed rooms on the boats. This historical connection proves that cinema in Southern Vietnam in general, and Ho Chi Minh City cinema in particular, has always been closely linked to the rivers. Like small rivers flowing into the great sea, Ho Chi Minh City cinema is also integrating itself into the mainstream of world cinema.
At a planning seminar on the Saigon- Dong Nai riverside area in mid-March 2025, a consortium of companies proposed the construction of the Thu Thiem Cinema Park. The project is planned to be located along the Saigon River, from the Thu Thiem Tunnel to the elevated bridge, covering an area of 5 hectares, comprising various functional zones and equipped with all the necessary facilities for a genuine, high-quality film industry. If approved, the project would realize the dream of a "riverside cinema city"—a place connecting the past and the future, deeply rooted in culture and tourism, and becoming a unique characteristic of Ho Chi Minh City.
It's not just about recognition.
In early March, Ho Chi Minh City submitted its application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). If recognized by the end of October, Ho Chi Minh City will become the first film city in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Choosing the film sector is a wise decision, but it also presents many challenges. Ms. Le Thi Hong Van, Secretary General of the Vietnam National UNESCO Committee and Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and UNESCO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), stated: Of the 350 UNESCO Creative Cities, only 26 are film cities, accounting for 7%, significantly lower than other sectors. This means the city is venturing into a very difficult area. Mr. Jeremy Segay, Audiovisual Attaché for Southeast Asia (French Embassy in Vietnam), emphasized: “Ho Chi Minh City is the center of development for Vietnamese cinema, the gateway for foreign film crews to enter Vietnam, and the location of equipment rental companies.”
Achieving recognition is already a difficult condition, but what lies beyond that? This is a concern for both strategic planners and those involved in the film industry. In reality, Ho Chi Minh City's film industry is thriving, with 935 businesses, 9,294 employees, generating $500 million in revenue (accounting for approximately 40% of Vietnam's film market) and contributing 0.43% to the city's GRDP. The city has 10 cinema systems and 52 cinema complexes with 295 screening rooms, offering vibrant film activities year-round. The Ho Chi Minh City Cultural Industry Development Plan until 2030 also sets a target of an average annual growth of 13%, revenue of approximately 10,000 billion VND (with Vietnamese films accounting for 50%), and a contribution of 0.56% to the GRDP. The figures further illustrate the vibrant market landscape, along with the results of concerted efforts, contributing to the realization of the dream of a film city.
From the beginning of 2025, Vietnamese cinema has been releasing an average of 3-4 films per month, mostly produced by private film production companies in the South, not including projects currently in production. Having just finished "The Billion Dollar Kiss," producer-director Thu Trang immediately began casting for her next project. Director Khuong Ngoc is also urgently working on a new project after the great success of "Sister-in-Law." Similarly, the directing duo Hoang Quan and Tran Huu Tan are accelerating the progress of their two projects, "Under the Lake" and "The Devil Prince." Director Vo Thanh Hoa's folk supernatural universe is rushing to complete its next project, scheduled for release this year... The keenness and dynamism of filmmakers are also demonstrated in their efforts to strengthen international cooperation. Producer Truong Ngoc Anh recently announced her return to film with the international collaborative project "Dragonfly." Companies like Skyline Media and V-Pictures have recently intensified their activities in buying, selling, and exporting Vietnamese films to foreign markets. The film import sector is also witnessing a vibrant market with the participation of many new companies bringing in foreign films that are dubbed into Vietnamese...
The effectiveness of the socialization model demonstrates the city's commitment, as outlined in its profile, to community participation, equality in creation, and the enjoyment of the values that a film city will bring to both domestic and international audiences.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thanh-pho-dien-anh-ben-song-post793099.html
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