Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong said the festival is one of the country’s major cultural events in 2025 - the year marks key national milestones: the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, and ahead of the 14th National Party Congress. This edition also commemorates 55 years of the Vietnam Film Festival.

Dong noted the event not only honours outstanding films and artists, but also reflects the spirit, aspirations and integration efforts of Vietnamese cinema. He stressed that the festival aims to encourage creativity, promote cultural pride, and foster stronger links between cinema, tourism and creative economy.

As many as 203 films have been submitted, including 30 feature films, 120 documentaries, 21 science films and 32 animated films. A film week to celebrate the festival will run from November 15–20 nationwide, offering free screenings to audiences, especially young viewers. With support from the People’s Army Cinema, the film "Mua do" (Red Rain) will be screened in several major cities and provinces.

Side events include one seminar and two workshops on developing the film industry, attracting film crews to localities, and promoting the value of archived film materials. A photo exhibition on Ho Chi Minh City rising with the nation through the lens of cinema will also be held to showcase the city’s dynamism and promote Vietnam’s image.

For the first time, the festival will include activities aimed at fostering collaboration among filmmakers, businesses, and local authorities to enhance regional film development. In addition to the regular awards, certificates of merit will be awarded to the distributor with the highest number of Vietnamese films from 2023 to 2025, as well as to individuals—both Vietnamese and foreign—who have made significant contributions to promoting Vietnamese cinema.

The opening ceremony will be held at 20:00 on November 21 at the outdoor grounds of the Independence Palace and broadcast live on VTV2. The closing and awards ceremony will take place at 20:00 on November 25 on VTV9./. VNA