Measure of the development of Vietnamese cinema

There were times when Vietnamese cinema was seen as an industrial "lowland", but now the overall picture has shown more positive and vibrant signs.

Vietnamese delegation on the red carpet of the event at the Busan International Film Festival 2025. (Photo: VFDA)

The increase in audience numbers, box office revenue and the growth of the artist team, especially the young directors and producers, has created a strong transformation.

International film festivals are an important measure of that change. From a somewhat “reserved” participation, domestic cinema now participates in many important categories, wins awards, and attracts more attention from experts and the international press.

At the recently held Busan International Film Festival 2025 (BIFF), two Vietnamese films (“Quan Ky Nam” by director Leon Le; “Khe uoc ban dau” by director Le Van Kiet) were selected for screening and one project (“Flying Cows” by director Nguyen Pham Thanh Dat, producer Nguyen Huu Thi Tuong Vi) was officially included in the list of 30 projects selected to participate in the Asian Project Market of BIFF 2025).

From the somewhat "reserved" participations, domestic cinema now participates in many important categories, wins awards, and receives more attention from experts and the international press.

In addition to the works, Vietnam also brought to BIFF a space for promoting cinema, implemented by the Vietnam Association for the Promotion of Cinema Development. Here, international friends had access to the PAI (Production Attraction Index) - a pioneering tool to evaluate the potential of filming locations in Vietnam. Familiar landmarks in Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Quang Ninh... have been positioned as "open studios", contributing to promoting the trend of cinema tourism .

In particular, the event “Vietnam Night” became a gathering night of Vietnamese cinema with nearly 600 international guests. In a space imbued with Vietnamese identity, friends from all over witnessed a cinema that is full of vitality, confidently asserting its identity and ready to integrate into the global flow.

Along with promoting works, the Vietnam Cinema Promotion Association has gone one step ahead in building a foundation for sustainable development.

After only three editions, the Da Nang Asian Film Festival has quickly become a prestigious international meeting point, with competition categories, a young talent incubation program, workshops and masterclasses with leading experts.

At BIFF 2025, the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Da Nang Asian Film Festival was officially announced with many highlights: international competition categories, special programs, such as: Outstanding Vietnamese films in 40 years of Renovation (1986-2026); American Cinema Spotlight... opening up opportunities to honor the country's cinematic achievements, while demonstrating a strategic step to make Vietnam one of the new cinema centers of the region.

In the integration period, cinema is facing many challenges: global competition, rapidly changing audience tastes, high technology requirements... But it is these challenges that will urge Vietnamese cinema to mature with the aspirations and creativity of artists and the right policies and initiatives from promotion agencies. The integration process requires the creation of a professional and sustainable cinema ecosystem.

To do that, it is necessary to have close cooperation between the State, enterprises, professional associations and the creative community; prioritize investment in training high-quality human resources; encourage international cooperation in production, distribution and promotion; and promote the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence in film management and production. Vietnamese cinema can only truly affirm its position when it both preserves the national cultural identity and meets global industrial standards.

MAI LU

Source: https://nhandan.vn/thuoc-do-su-phat-trien-cua-dien-anh-viet-nam-post913001.html