Ho Chi Minh City launches English handbook for international film crews

The 'Ho Chi Minh City – A Film Production Destination' handbook was released during a seminar discussing current situations and solutions to attract film crews to Vietnamese localities, held as part of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival.

The seminar and handbook launch ceremony were organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports in coordination with the Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies.

The handbook provides comprehensive information on the local context, services, infrastructure, support procedures, communication systems, and available resources for film production in Ho Chi Minh City.

It was designed to international standards with technical consultation and support from the French Embassy in Vietnam, along with international and Ho Chi Minh City film experts.

“The handbook offers practical value for film crews and marks the first step in the city’s journey to become a dynamic and efficient regional film production hub,” said Tran Thi Dieu Thuy, vice-chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

Creative City of Film

The launch of the English handbook is the first activity demonstrating the city’s strong commitment after being recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Film in October.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to build a professional ecosystem that supports film production and facilitates access for domestic and international crews working in Vietnam.

Paul Abela, Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy, praised the city’s entry into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

He said the handbook will help filmmakers gain a clearer understanding of film production in Vietnam.

The handbook marks an important first step for Ho Chi Minh City, a key locality in Southeast Asia with many advantages for film production.

It outlines the necessary procedures, helping international film crews avoid the lengthy groundwork they previously faced.

As the audiovisual attache of the French Embassy, Paul Abela understands the important role cinema plays in strengthening ties between the two countries.

France’s film industry has extensive experience and is home to world renowned and regional film festivals.

The French Embassy’s involvement in drafting the handbook is expected to help share this expertise with Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, reflected on the broader vision behind the initiative.

She set out a series of questions that should be addressed, including how Vietnamese localities could develop into open film studios; how domestic and international crews could clearly see the localities' strengths in settings, production conditions, and strong support from local authorities and businesses; as well as how cinema could be transformed into a driving force for tourism and the creative economy.

She said Ho Chi Minh City, as a megacity and a cultural gateway for Vietnam, hopes to share its experience with other localities so that together they can build connections that position cinema not only as an asset of a single destination but also as part of a wider regional strategy for cultural and tourism branding.

The seminar and book launch mark the city's effort to affirm its role as a creative cultural center with strong appeal for the film industry.

Along with the handbook and a range of valuable recommendations, Ho Chi Minh City says it will continue rolling out new initiatives to attract international film projects, promote film tourism, and bring the image of Vietnam to global audiences.