From the ancient capital to an international film set.

VHO - With its magnificent natural landscapes and rich history and culture, Ninh Binh is gradually asserting its position as a unique "natural film set" and setting out a strategy to develop film tourism as an economic spearhead with a strategic vision to transform the ancient capital region into an international film location.

Over the years, Ninh Binh has been a magnet attracting domestic and international directors and filmmakers.

Ninh Binh is blessed by nature with the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex - a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site, along with many unique historical relics and scenic spots. The allure of its towering limestone mountains, winding rivers, and mysterious caves has been explored by numerous domestic and international film crews.

In particular, the Hollywood blockbuster "Kong: Skull Island" has strongly promoted the image of Ninh Binh (Trang An, Tam Coc - Bich Dong, and Van Long areas) globally. Prior to that, films such as "The Quiet American," "The Hero's Destiny," "Tam Cam: The Untold Story," and more recently, popular television series like "Go Home, My Son" and "The Taste of Family Love" have also chosen Ninh Binh as a filming location.

Appearing on the big screen is not only an effective tourism promotion tool but also opens up a new type of tourism: Film Tourism. Tourists come to see firsthand the scenes that made up blockbuster films, thereby contributing to boosting tourism revenue and developing local services.

Recognizing the role of cinema in positioning tourism brands, Ninh Binh has taken systematic steps, demonstrating a longer-term, more strategic vision that goes beyond simply exploiting existing natural landscapes.

Specifically, in 2024, the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee signed a cooperation program with the Vietnam Film Development Promotion Association (VFDA) with a term extending to 2035. This program aims to attract and promote filmmaking, creating favorable conditions and providing legal and resource support for film crews, both domestic and international, to come to Ninh Binh.

Furthermore, the development of Ninh Binh's film industry aims to transform it from merely a filming location into a complete film ecosystem, encompassing the construction of film studios, personnel training, and the development of film production support services. The goal is to make Ninh Binh a leading center for the development of Vietnam's film industry, on par with international standards.

Film tourism will serve as a bridge to explore the cultural depth of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.

Mr. Pham Cong Chat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doanh Sinh Trading and Tourism Services Joint Stock Company, shared: "We are the Diamond Sponsor for the film project 'Guardian of the Valiant Warriors,' which will begin filming in early November at Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area, Trang An, King Dinh Temple… and other famous tourist destinations and historical sites in Ninh Binh province."

"The film is expected to participate in international film festivals after completion, which is a great opportunity to promote the image, culture, and tourism of Ninh Binh through cinematic works to international friends and tourists," Mr. Pham Cong Chat emphasized.

According to Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism: The goal is for Ninh Binh to become a centrally-governed city by 2035, characterized as a millennium heritage city, a creative city, and a major center for tourism, cultural industries, and heritage economy. Film tourism will serve as a bridge to explore the cultural depth of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, creating tourism products with high brand value, distinctiveness, and sustainability.

However, the path to developing the film industry and film tourism requires significant effort, with the biggest challenge being the preservation and promotion of heritage values ​​alongside economic development, ensuring that filmmaking activities do not negatively impact the Trang An Heritage Site in particular and the natural landscape of Ninh Binh in general.

With a long-term strategic vision, Ninh Binh is creating a breakthrough direction, not only elevating local tourism but also contributing to building Vietnam's cultural and film industries to reach global standards. In the future, Ninh Binh will not only be a thousand-year-old ancient capital but also a promising "film set" for timeless cinematic works.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/tu-co-do-den-phim-truong-quoc-te-178774.html