VietNamNet Bridge – A photo exhibition featuring film locations across Vietnam will be held from October 21-31 in Hanoi.

Movie magic: In blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, the filmmaker chose many natural landscapes in Vietnam including Trang An and Ha Long Bay - a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site - for some scenes. — Photo news.zing.vn

The event will be held by the Viet Nam Cinema Department and the Viet Nam Film Institute as part of the fifth International Film Festival also taking place in the city this month.

More than 40 photos will be displayed at the exhibition, showing scenes and landscapes that have appeared in famous films produced in Vietnam.

Film fans in Hanoi and international guests who attend the international film festival will have the chance to admire Vietnam’s stunning natural scenery, including many famous landscapes recognised by UNESCO as world natural heritage sites and unique cultural spaces around the country.

Such unique natural and cultural spots have often been selected as the filming locations by Vietnamese and foreign filmmakers, including many big-name production firms from Hollywood and across the world.

They include Trang An and Ha Long Bay in the northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh, respectively, Dong Van stone plateau in northern province of Ha Giang and Phong Nha – Ke Bang in the central province of Quang Binh.

The beautiful landscapes have enchanted film audiences and at the same time contributed to promoting Vietnamese tourism to the world.

In the blockbuster Kong: Skull Island, for example, the filmmaker chose Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site – for some dramatic scenes.

The producer, Alex Garcia, said that it was a great privilege for the crew to shoot among Vietnam’s beautiful nature.

Previously, Ha Long Bay also appeared in Hollywood blockbuster Peter Pan and some other films.

Organisers expect the exhibition, revealing the film locations through photos, will help boost national tourism and culture and bring the image of the country to the world.

More than 500 movies from nearly 50 countries and territories will be screened during the fifth Ha Noi International Film Festival, announced Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Vuong Duy Bien.

Themed ‘Cinema: Integration and Sustainable Development’, the festival is slated for October 27-31. It looks to honour outstanding cinematographic works with high artistic and humanitarian values and creativity, while also encouraging new movie talents.

It also hopes to expand the Vietnamese cinema market, thus promoting the country’s image to international friends.

Films for the competition are selected from many countries and territories around the world, some of which have never competed in international film festivals in Asia.

Source: VNS