Promoting Hanoi's tourism through cinematic lens

Tourism promotion through film has a long history in Vietnam and is becoming increasingly popular, especially in the era of integration. Given its advantages and potential, what should Hanoi cinema do to enhance the capital's reputation as a desirable destination, welcoming to both domestic and foreign visitors and rich in cultural identity?

Many films about Hanoi have resonated in the world, such as Em be Hanoi (Little Girl of Hanoi) by director Hai Ninh; Bao gio cho den thang Muoi (When the Tenth Month Comes), Ha Noi mua dong nam 46 (Hanoi Winter 1946), Dung dot (Don't Burn) by director Dang Nhat Minh; Ha Noi trong mat ai (Hanoi in Whose Eyes?) by director Tran Van Thuy.

Actress Minh Huong in the movie Don't Burn. Photo courtesy of the film producer

Hanoi is the birthplace of revolutionary filmmaking and has nurtured several generations of Vietnam's filmmakers. However, in recent years, there are still very few films promoting the capital's culture and tourism, which is out of proportion to the city's rich historical and cultural heritage and development potential.

Dr. Trinh Le Anh (Hanoi National University) said there has been no connection between the tourism industry and cinema in promoting and building the projection of the capital as a tourist destination through cinema. The beautiful shots of Hanoi in films have not been used to promote tourism.

In the current era of global integration, the aforementioned situation demonstrates Hanoi's urgent need for measures to encourage and promote the capital's cinematic capabilities and potential to enhance its cultural and tourism image.

Dao, Pho, Piano film reflects Hanoi during the war and emphasizes patriotism. Photo courtesy of the film producer

Director Dao Thanh Hung says the city must focus on regulations and procedures that support the growth of the film industry and link it to the capital's socio-economic development strategy. Hanoi should also adopt a unique policy to draw in foreign filmmakers.

Another idea is that Hanoi can mobilize social resources to invest in the Co Loa film studio system, taking famous film studios such as Hengdian, Wuxi of China as references, which is a combination of majestic architecture, natural landscape and a chain of internal utilities. When tourists come here, they not only visit, but also participate in art performances, entertainment, and shopping. This requires the development of a long-term plan, towards a cultural and entertainment industrial complex for the capital in the future.

The film project "For the Love of Hanoi" was recently launched by Hanoi Radio and Television. "This is a dedicated project of Hanoi Radio and Television Station, which aims to bring authentic and touching films about the beloved capital to the audience, stories about people connected to the life of the capital," said Ha Minh Hai, Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee.

The film project introduces viewers to various aspects of life, such as the young people who work to create a modern, civilized, and vibrant Hanoi and the police officers who maintain order in the city day and night.

Kenny G playing the saxophone in front of Khue Van Cac, a scene from the music video Going Home. Photo: IB Group

According to Ha Minh Hai, the city's leaders hope and believe that Hanoi Radio and Television, together with artists, actors, and people who love Hanoi, will continue to produce valuable works about Hanoi and contribute to spreading the image of a peaceful, prosperous, globally connected capital; elegant, civilized, peace-loving, friendly and hospitable people to friends around the world.

In addition to movies and TV series, music videos (MVs) also make a positive contribution to promoting Hanoi tourism, such as saxophonist Kenny G's MV Going Home, which won the "Work-For the love of Hanoi" category in the "Bui Xuan Phai-For the love of Hanoi" award in 2024. The MV was made when Kenny G came to perform at the Good Morning Vietnam concert organized by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group Vietnam in November 2023.

Le Quoc Minh, editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan newspaper, said many people have seen Hanoi through movies, but not through the music video of an international artist. The MV Going Home has received millions of views on all distribution platforms. As a result, the world has an easily receptive image of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general, which has increased both domestic and foreign travel to Vietnam.