International conference on investment promotion and development of tourism brands through cinema in 2023 in Khanh Hoa

On the afternoon of June 17, within the framework of the joint program to develop Vietnam's tourism and cinema brands in 2023, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VHTT-DL) to organize an International conference on investment promotion and development of tourism brands through cinema in 2023. At the conference, the leader of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee affirmed: "Khanh Hoa province always respects, welcomes and commits to facilitate all domestic filmmakers in particular and around the world.

Attending the conference were Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Hai Ninh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee; Ta Quang Dong - Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Nguyen Tan Tuan - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairperson of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, together with leaders of ministries and central agencies, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, Provincial People's Council, Khanh Hoa Provincial departments, agencies and 150 delegates from corporations and businesses across the country, film producers, directors, screenwriters, and actors.

Khanh Hoa always welcomes movie investors

Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan, Chairperson of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, revealed at the conference's opening ceremony: "In 2022, the Politburo issued Resolution No.09 with the goal of Khanh Hoa becoming a city directly under the Central Government by 2030." In order to realize such goal and at the same time to promote potentials and turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector, in recent years, the province has paid great attention to developing policies to encourage, support investment attraction in tourism, supporting policies and incentives to attract investors, including investors and film producers, contributing to enhancing the image value of the destination as well as building an imprint of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism brand in the region and in the world.

Accordingly, Khanh Hoa Province always respects, welcomes and commits to facilitate all domestic filmmakers in particular and around the world in general when investing, producing, operating art activities in the province. “Today's conference provides an excellent chance for domestic and international partners and investors to gain a more complete and in-depth understanding of Khanh Hoa's potential, capabilities, and development aspirations, as well as to contribute proposals and recommendations to assist the province develop. The Conference's results and achievements will serve as a vital basis and foundation for the execution of particular initiatives in the future," said Mr. Nguyen Tan Tuan.

Also at the conference, Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism introduced the provincial tourism potentials and advantages, and typical tourism brand products of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa that can serve as an image to promote tourism through cinema. Leaders of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association also announced preferential policies to support domestic and international film producers to make films in Khanh Hoa province. Leaders of the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade of Vietnam (Vietinbank) shared their views and commitments for sponsoring suitable film projects when they are implemented in Khanh Hoa province.

Film studio will be built in Dam Mon

At the conference, Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee and Ha Long Sun Limited Liability Company (under Sun Group) signed a memorandum of understanding on building a film studio at Dam Mon (Van Thanh Commune, Van Ninh District); the Provincial People's Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietinbank on funding films suitable with Khanh Hoa province. Hoan Khue Film Production Joint Stock Company (HK Film) signed a memorandum of understanding with Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association on Research, Investment, Production and Communication of the movie project "Once upon a time there was a love story"; Viet Image Promotion and Research Joint Stock Company (MaiLong film) signed a memorandum of understanding with Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Tourism Association on Research, Investment, Production and Communication of the film project "A Touch of Happiness".

Considerable experience of tourism promotion through cinema

Speaking during the conference, Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, stated clearly that Vietnam was a country with many attractive natural landscapes, rich in history and culture, and an ideal tourism destination. However, in comparison to many countries in the area, Vietnam has failed to attract a large number of international film crews. The promotion of destinations through cinematographic works is currently limited to a few minor instances, not fully using the potential. This conference provides a chance for managers, filmmakers, artists, and others to share and present ideas and efforts on how to more effectively connect tourism and cinema, promoting the national tourism image, tourism destinations in Vietnam in general, and Khanh Hoa province in particular.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung suggested that businesses, investors and related units promoted cooperation in linking cinema with tourism promotion; it was necessary to solve and remove obstacles and bottlenecks, propose to build and perfect mechanisms and policies accordingly to increase competitiveness such as facilitating procedures for foreign film crews. to Vietnam, preferential policies on taxes and fees in accordance with the law on taxes and fees, exemption and reduction of the cost of accommodation tickets to scenic spots, attracting investment in building professional film studios, coordination between localities, tourism businesses and film crews to effectively exploit tourism from cinema, synchronization between the tourism promotion plan and the film production plan as well as exhibition activities.

On this premise, renowned local and foreign filmmakers and directors delivered talks on their filmmaking experiences at the conference. In particular, Mr. Justin Kim - CEO of CJ Vietnam said that in Korea, filmmakers receive great support from localities (from accommodation to cash). Furthermore, the movies have also helped tourist destinations attract a large number of tourists such as Homtown Chachacha for Pohang, Hello my father to Busan… In Vietnam, CJ Vietnam has received the cooperation and great support from the provinces of Quang Nam (The Girl Came From Yesterday), Quang Binh (The Immortal), Lam Dong (The Brilliant May)… The films have introduced a variety of breath-taking scenes of these provinces to Vietnamese and international audiences. However, according to Mr. Justinkim, it will be better if Vietnam issues a process to apply for a film permit to make the procedure faster. It is also necessary to have meetings between local authorities, film associations and filmmakers to find a common voice.

Also at the conference, Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh Huong - Executive Chairperson of Galaxy Studio presented "International experience on supporting mechanisms for filming settings" which cited cases in Korea and Thailand Lan giving great support to film crews. According to Ms. Huong, requirements for applying for film permits in Vietnam are overlapping, which might easily discourage overseas filmmakers. In addition, the infrastructure, equipment, and human resources of the film industry in Vietnam are still limited… “We need to simplify the administrative procedures for film permit application, and integrate multiple sub-licenses into one license; support and discount on accommodation services for film crews; In the long term, it is necessary to support tax and financial policies for international and domestic film crews… Besides, local authorities need to cooperate with film crews to enhance location communication to attract tourists", suggested Ms. Huong.

Director Aron Toronto (USA) judged that, from the perspective of a foreigner producing films in Vietnam, Vietnamese cinema has had wonderful development over the last 20 years, albeit it is still inferior to many countries in the Asia. However, the news is encouraging for the Vietnamese film industry, and the future of Vietnamese cinema is bright. Based on the experiences of Korea and other countries in the region, the director of Toronto suggested that Vietnam establish a National Film Development Fund, encourage large economic groups to invest in film production, and provide local support for film crews. The state should also implement a tax reduction policy for film crews... "The most important thing is to establish close working relationships between state departments and filmmakers," said the Toronto director.

XUAN THANH