Sept. 15, 2023

Vietnam’s Booming Film Industry

Vietnam’s movie business is growing quickly. New theatres are being built across the country. Young filmmakers are entering the market as well. In the past, movies about Vietnam cantered on Hollywood’s ideas about the Vietnam War. They starred American actors with Vietnamese playing background roles. But this is changing.

Director Nguyen Phuong Dien, known for TV series Tieng Set Trong Mua praised the rapid evolution in technology for the filming industry. In an interview with VietnamNet Global, he said, “Instead of using cumbersome equipment to produce movies, we now hold a tiny camera to capture images in 4K resolution, lifelike pictures like those seen in celluloid films. Filmmakers are also so completing their projects faster as lighting equipment for night shoots no longer consume as much energy as before. So, whereas it used to take 4-5 days to shoot a 4K episode, it now only takes 2.5 days, but the quality is amazing.”

Entertainment companies such as CJ CGV proactively cultivates young filmmakers to expand their portfolio through the CJ Short Film Project. Five selected works of these aspiring talents would be sent to prestigious international film festivals, with a fund of $63,000 USD from CJ CGV & CJ Cultural Foundation.

The gap in Vietnam’s TV and Film industry is pointed towards the lack of quality scripts and directors. The country rolled out a new law on cinema, effective from the start of this year. The law on cinema implements a criterion of a film rating before dissemination of films to OTT service providers or theatre. This increases the distribution of quality films to potentially reach markets out of Vietnam.

This year however, Vietnam witnessed a remarkable transformation in its film and TV industry. Two Vietnamese filmmakers - Tran Anh Hung and Pham Thien An, brought home an award each from the 76th edition of Cannes International Film Festival. Tran Anh Hung won the Best Director award for The Pot Au Feu and Pham Thien An was awarded the Camera d’Or for Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell. This ceremony casts a spotlight on Vietnam’s talent, bringing recognition to the country and being a huge influence for aspiring Vietnamese talents to rise.

As the industry continues to flourish, there are ongoing efforts to nurture and develop the next generation of Vietnamese filmmakers. Film schools and training programs have been established to cultivate young talent and hone their skills and knowledge, such as the Ho Chi Minh Academy of Theatre and Cinema, Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema, Military University of Culture and Arts, and the National University of Arts Educations. These established art schools cultivate young talent to create a sustainable future for Vietnamese cinema and television.

Additionally, festivals hosted by Vietnam itself such as the Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF), Da Nang International Film Festival (DANAFF) and the Viet Film Fest focus on specific genres of film, allowing international markets to exchange resources and discover local talent. These platforms help filmmakers to exhibit their work and connect with industry professionals from around the world.

Vietnam's television and film industry's rising prominence reflects the country's rich cultural heritage and creative potential. As it continues to grow its resources and groom talents with cinematic offerings, Vietnam is poised to solidify its position as a significant player in the global entertainment industry, making an indelible mark on the world of film and television.

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