Vietnam: An inspiring destination for international cinema

Within the framework of the Vietnam Tourism Promotion Program taking place in France, on the morning of May 14 (local time), the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism hosted the Workshop “Vietnam - Dynamic Asian Market and New Destination for International Film Crews”. The workshop took place in the artistic atmosphere of the 78th Cannes Film Festival - the most prestigious film event on the planet.

Dual Potential of Vietnam Tourism and Cinema

Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh delivered the opening speech at the Workshop.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasized that the conference's theme more comprehensively reflects Vietnam's dual potential: not only as a destination with unique and novel filming locations, but also as a vibrant and growing film market with many opportunities for co-production and distribution. Today's conference is a forum for delegates to deeply explore both of these important aspects while providing a more comprehensive and in-depth picture of the Vietnamese film industry.

Understanding the dynamic market and growing industry landscape is an important foundation for invited delegates to better visualize the opportunities for cooperation and investment in Vietnam. And in addition to the vibrant market and industry picture, Vietnam also brings unique values as a novel and inspiring filmmaking destination. “We believe that Vietnam can meet and exceed those expectations,” Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed.

According to the Director, Vietnam offers an extremely diverse "background library", meeting all creative needs with the majestic, pristine nature of adventure, action, and fantasy films. Vietnam is not only beautiful in landscape but also rich in culture and people, a fertile land for unique stories with 54 ethnic groups living together, creating a diverse cultural picture of customs, festivals, cuisine , costumes, architecture... Vietnamese people, with their optimism, hospitality and rich souls, are always at the center of profound humane stories.

In addition to the context and convenience when coming to Vietnam, the Director said the important point is the ability to respond and support for international film crews, in which beautiful contexts need to go hand in hand with production conditions. Vietnam is making constant efforts on this journey with infrastructure such as the air and road transport system being increasingly upgraded, conveniently connecting major destinations; a diverse accommodation system; Support services such as equipment and logistics, although still in the development stage, are becoming more and more professional and complete.

Each international film project is not only an opportunity to promote tourism, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange, development cooperation, learning experiences and together creating valuable cinematic works for global audiences.

Regarding local human resources, Vietnam has a young, dynamic, enthusiastic and well-trained filmmaking team in many positions such as assistant director, cameraman, lighting, art designer, production manager, on-site interpreter... Cooperating with local personnel not only helps optimize costs but also brings deep understanding of culture, language and effective working methods locally. In addition, compared to many countries in the region and around the world , production costs in Vietnam are still very competitive, from labor costs, services, accommodation, travel... This allows producers to optimize their budget, devoting more resources to the creative quality of the film.

In particular, the support from the Government and local authorities, the Director emphasized, is a strong commitment when the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local authorities are actively reforming administrative procedures every day to facilitate quick and convenient licensing for filming activities. At the same time, we are ready to support the work of surveying the scene, connecting with domestic service partners, and coordinating to ensure security and safety for the film crew throughout the production process in Vietnam. "We are researching and will soon issue specific incentive policies to further attract international film projects," the Director said.

With a panoramic view of a dynamic market, a changing industry, unique filmmaking contexts and increasingly professional support, Vietnam is opening its arms to welcome international filmmakers. Each international film project is not only an opportunity to promote tourism, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange, development cooperation, learning experiences and together creating valuable cinematic works for global audiences.

Opportunities and potential to bring Vietnam to world cinema

The capital Hanoi has the beauty of the intersection between the ancient features of a thousand years and the strong development of a modern capital.

At the workshop, speakers will share and learn about the scale and resilience of the Vietnamese film market - a young, potential market in the heart of a dynamic economy - and analyze the opportunities and untapped potentials in the field of film production, both domestically and internationally; Practical successful co-production models, especially how independent Vietnamese filmmakers have found their way to the world, bringing valuable lessons. Along with that, it is impossible not to mention the legal framework and policies supporting the development of cinema, with notable positive changes in the recently revised Cinema Law, demonstrating the Government's strong commitment to creating an increasingly favorable filmmaking environment for domestic and international filmmakers. Also in the program, speakers will discuss the journey and strategy of promoting Vietnamese films to the international market, identifying both the advantages and challenges that still exist.

In the first discussion session, with the theme "The Pulse of Vietnamese Cinema", leading experts such as Mr. Do Quoc Viet - Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema, director Bui Thac Chuyen, Mr. Bui Quang Minh from Beta Group, and Ms. Ngo Thi Bich Hanh from BHD, under the coordination of producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, explored the vivid picture of the Vietnamese cinema market. Impressive figures, development trends, potential for domestic and international co-production, successful models of independent films, positive new points in the Cinema Law, as well as opportunities and challenges in promoting Vietnamese films to the world were discussed frankly and deeply.

Hoi An - one of the beautiful scenes in the movie A Tourist's Guide To Love

Continuing the inspiration, the second discussion session focused on "Vietnam - An Ideal Destination Through the Lens of Cinema". Together with the President of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association Ngo Phuong Lan, representatives of leaders of potential provinces such as Da Nang, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh and Mr. Nguyen Trinh Hoan from HK Films, the delegates together clarified the attractiveness of Vietnam as a large and unique natural film studio. The films introducing the context, the analysis of the PAI Index of the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association, the positive impact of international films on local tourism, the future tourism - cinema connection strategy, and especially the public - private partnership models with specific incentives in localities showed Vietnam's readiness and strong commitment.

Cinema is a channel to promote the country's image and elevate the Vietnamese tourism brand.

Thai Culture Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol visits the Vietnamese pavilion at the Cannes International Film Festival

According to Director Nguyen Trung Khanh, Vietnam Tourism is on the path of strong recovery and development, aiming for higher goals in terms of quality, sustainability and international competitiveness. In that vision, cinema is identified not only as the seventh art, but also as the most effective communication channel to promote the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam, thereby attracting high-quality tourists and enhancing the brand of Vietnam Tourism.

Therefore, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is and will focus on implementing the Strategy for Connecting Tourism and Cinema in the future with the following key orientations: Creating a favorable legal corridor and policy environment; Enhancing the capacity of the ecosystem to support film production and tourism product development; Strengthening public-private partnership and international cooperation; Promoting the promotion and integration of Tourism - Cinema. In which, implementing specialized promotional campaigns, focusing on the global film industry, especially in key markets such as Hollywood, prestigious international film festivals such as Cannes. The Director said that promotional programs such as the Vietnam Tourism - Cinema Promotion Program in the United States in September 2024 will be organized more frequently and on a larger scale.

The workshop provided a diverse and updated picture of Vietnam's dual potential in the film industry.

At the same time, the use of images of Vietnamese destinations appearing in films will be increased as an important material in national tourism marketing campaigns. In the coming time, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will soon research, develop and provide a complete, updated and easily accessible set of information and data on potential contexts, film production support service capacity, preferential policies and procedures in Vietnam so that international filmmakers have enough information when making decisions.

With a well-planned strategy, the determination of the Government, the cooperation of ministries, sectors, localities, businesses and the cooperation of international filmmakers, the connection between Tourism and Cinema will create a great synergy, bringing benefits to all parties, contributing to making Vietnam a bright spot on the global tourism and cinema map.

With its majestic beauty, Ha Long Bay has been chosen as the main setting for many international films.

Through the sharing and lively discussions, it is clear that Vietnam not only possesses magnificent natural landscapes and a culture rich in identity, but is also creating an increasingly favorable environment in terms of policies, infrastructure and human resources, along with a promising filmmaking market awaiting cooperation.

The workshop provided a diverse and updated picture of Vietnam's dual potential in the film industry, and this is just the beginning. "We hope that the information and connections created here will be the premise for specific and effective cooperation in the future. Vietnam's doors are always open to welcome you to explore, experience and join us in creating unique cinematic works, contributing to enriching the world cinema map and bringing the image of Vietnam closer to the global audience," the Director expressed.

Source: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/viet-nam-diem-den-truyen-cam-hung-cho-dien-anh-quoc-te-20250515083247023.htm