Hanoi: Vietnam plans to develop tourism through film industry, which is untapped, despite having significant potential with the country’s natural landscapes, diverse culture, and rich cuisine, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported on Wednesday.

The challenge was a highlight at a seminar in Hanoi on Tuesday that discussed the ways to make the Southeast Asian nation a new destination for global cinema, which was held

In his remarks at the event, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung noted that cinema is a powerful tool for tourism development, with a strong link between these two sectors serving as a crucial driver of economic growth.

Highlighting the effectiveness of attracting tourists through films, Bui Van Manh, Director of Ninh Binh province’s Department of Tourism, pointed out that the 1992 film “Indochine,” which featured scenes shot in several tourist spots across the country raised the profiles of these destinations among international tourists.

Nguyen Ngoc Quy, Director of Quang Bi
nh province’s Department of Tourism, pointed out that blockbuster movies, especially those by Hollywood studios, have an enormous impact on promoting destinations, reaching hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

However, experts at the seminar candidly acknowledged the limitations and shortcomings that have prevented Vietnam from benefiting more from cinema-driven tourism. Many agreed that Vietnam has not been proactive in inviting, supporting, or promoting itself to international film crews.

In a bid to attract Hollywood studios, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism plans to host a Vietnam tourism and cinema promotion programme in the US from 21st to 28th September.

Source: Emirates News Agency