The Power of Cinematic Storytelling for Vietnam’s Tourism
The Vietnamese government is keen to showcase the country’s potential as a filming destination and is launching a promotional campaign in the US with the theme “Vietnam – New Destination for Global Cinema.” The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will run this program from September 23 to 25, aiming to highlight Vietnam’s diverse and stunning locations for Hollywood studios and international tourists alike.
| The 2017 blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, showcased Vietnam’s breathtaking scenery. The film’s locations included the majestic Ha Long Bay, the pristine Van Long Natural Reserve and Trang An Complex in Ninh Binh, and the breathtaking Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province. |
Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Nguyen Van Hung, emphasized the importance of this initiative at a recent conference in Hanoi. He highlighted the need for the country’s tourism products to showcase their unique cultural heritage. Film and tourism, he argued, are two of the most crucial cultural industries, and their synergy will significantly boost Vietnam’s economic growth.
Hung also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to developing the cinema industry and linking it with tourism. This strategy has already proven effective, with filmmakers collaborating with local authorities to promote tourism and attract visitors through their films.
“Cinema has a powerful role in promoting tourism,” said Hung. “It is not just an art form but a cultural field, and if we harness its potential, it can tremendously enhance our efforts to showcase Vietnam to the world.”
| The romantic comedy “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” showcases the beauty of Ha Giang, Hanoi, Danang, Quang Nam, and Ho Chi Minh City, offering a glimpse of Vietnam’s diverse landscapes. |
Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Authority, echoed these sentiments at an online conference. He emphasized the significance of cinema in social life and its potential to reach a global audience, citing the success of Hollywood blockbusters.
Khanh noted that many countries have experienced a tourism boom thanks to their film industries. For example, New Zealand saw a 50% increase in international visitors after the release of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2001. Similarly, the Harry Potter series caused a 230% surge in foreign visitors to its filming locations in the UK between 2011 and 2014.
| The movie Kong: Skull Island showcased the breathtaking scenery of Ninh Binh Province, including the iconic limestone karsts and lush landscapes. |
Vietnam has a wealth of natural and cultural resources, and according to the World Economic Forum, the country ranks highly in both categories. This makes it an ideal destination for film-induced tourism, as evidenced by the success of international productions shot here.
| Hollywood has already discovered the beauty of Vietnam, with productions like Pan (2015) showcasing the country’s stunning locations, such as the Swallow Cave in Quang Binh Province. |
Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, cited the example of the film Indochine (1992), which brought international attention to the province’s Tam Coc – Bich Dong area. He emphasized the need to provide maximum support for film crews and develop a comprehensive strategy with central and local policies to facilitate filming in Vietnam.
Ngo Phuong Lan, Head of the Vietnam Film Development Association, offered a thoughtful perspective on linking tourism and the film industry. She cautioned against overly commercializing film productions or promoting travel during the filmmaking process, believing that the cinematic work must first have artistic and cultural value to effectively promote tourism.
| The romantic drama “The Lover” (1992), directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, captured the allure of Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City, and its role in shaping the film’s narrative and atmosphere. |
“A cinematic work must first have value to be widely distributed and promote the place and destinations effectively,” Lan explained. “Unintentionally missing the target could result in the film not encouraging tourism or achieving success.”
Nguyen Chau A, CEO of Oxalis Adventure, a company that has supported Hollywood film crews and productions like Pan (2015) and Kong: Skull Island (2017), shared that foreign filmmakers are drawn to Vietnam’s diverse, original, and novel landscapes. The country offers a fresh alternative to neighboring filming destinations like Thailand or the Philippines, which have become familiar to studios.
Chau A added that foreign filmmakers hope for further facilitation in licensing film projects and support in terms of security, order, and confidentiality during filming. They also wish for preferential tax policies and more production and logistics companies to serve international film crews with professionalism and transparency.
Painting contest held for buffaloes joining ploughing festival in Ha Nam
A buffalo painting contest for the Doi Son Tich Dien (ploughing) Festivalwas held on February 10, or the sixth day of the Lunar New Year in Doi Son commune, Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam.
Pho Hien folk cultural festival kicks off in Hung Yen
The Pho Hien Folk Cultural Festival opened in the northern province of Hung Yen on April 21.
Sam Son sea festival slated for April 21
The 2018 sea festival of Sam Son city of the north central coastal province of Thanh Hoa will take place on April 21, heard a press conference held in the city on April 12.
Ha Long Carnival opens in Quang Ninh
The Ha Long Carnival, a highlight of the Ha Long – Quang Ninh tourism week 2019, opened in Bai Chay and Hon Gai tourism area in the northern province of Quang Ninh on April 28.
Tam Chuc Pagoda – Ancient beauty amidst majestic scenery
Covering 5,100 ha, Tam Chuc complex is a perfect combination of ancient beauty and the mighty of the immense mountain.
The post The Power of Cinematic Storytelling for Vietnam’s Tourism appeared first on https://vietexplorer.com.
Nhận xét
Đăng nhận xét