(Chinhphu.vn) - More than 600 delegates, artists, film producers, leaders of film organizations and international partners attended Vietnam Night on the evening of October 11 in Busan, South Korea.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, President of VFDA, delivered the opening speech at Vietnam Night.
Organized by the Vietnam Film Development Promotion Association (VFDA) within the framework of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF 2026), the event showcases the development of Vietnamese cinema, promotes localities with film production potential, and expands opportunities for cooperation with the international film industry.
Vietnam Night was honored to welcome many distinguished guests: Ambassador Vu Ho, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to South Korea ; Mr. Park Kwang Su, President of the Busan International Film Festival; Ms. Ellen Kim, Director of Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM); along with numerous artists, producers, filmmakers, representatives of many Vietnamese, Korean, and international film organizations, and partners of VFDA.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan expressed her appreciation and gratitude for the presence of Mr. Park Kwang Su, Chairman of BIFF, and for his interest, support, and affection for VFDA and Vietnamese cinema over the years. She emphasized the importance of bringing Vietnamese cinema to international forums and building long-term cooperative relationships between filmmakers, producers, and film organizations.
The highlight of the program was a video providing an overview of Vietnamese cinema, reflecting the development of the market, production and distribution activities, the presence of Vietnamese works at international film festivals, as well as efforts to develop talent and connect the film industry. According to attendees, many international guests expressed surprise at the strong developments in Vietnamese cinema and the progress of promotional and collaborative activities fostered by the VFDA.
Vietnam Night is not only a cultural promotion program, but also an opportunity for the international film community to directly learn about the Vietnamese market, developing projects, and potential for collaborative production. The large participation of partners within the framework of BIFF demonstrates the appeal of an event organized to combine film introduction with industry networking.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, and Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, introduced and invited filmmakers to visit Da Nang and Hanoi.
At the event, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang City People's Committee, extended an invitation to international filmmakers to visit Da Nang and participate in the annual Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF). Through the presentation about the city, Da Nang promoted its potential for film development and affirmed its commitment to strengthening connections with international producers and partners.
Representing Hanoi, Mr. Pham Tuan Long, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism , also introduced images of the city and invited international producers to Hanoi to learn about the context, explore cultural, historical, and heritage materials, and research opportunities to implement film projects.
The joint appearance of these two locations at Vietnam Night reflects a film promotion strategy that links destination advertising to attracting production activities. Instead of simply showcasing the scenery, the messages aim to make Hanoi and Da Nang attractive locations for producers to consider when seeking filming locations and partners in Vietnam.
Vietnam Night dedicates time to introducing several Vietnamese film projects.Delegates and guests attending Vietnam Night
Alongside the activities organized by VFDA, Vietnamese cinema has a notable presence in the official program of BIFF 2026.
Specifically, Nguyen Hoang Diep's 1982 participated in Vision – Asia; Le Bao's Hearing and Nguyen Phan Quang Binh's Guardian Warrior were showcased at A Window on Asian Cinema; and Nong Nhat Quang's documentary The Child of the Spirit, the Arrogant Child, and the Heartbroken Child participated in the Wide Angle Documentary Showcase. The works appearing in many categories demonstrate the diversity of genres, themes, and approaches of Vietnamese cinema at BIFF this year…
This initiative helps bring highly anticipated films closer to the international film community, while also creating opportunities for producers, artists, and partners to meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate.
Notably, at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, a member of the VFDA Executive Board, was invited to join the BIFF 2026 jury, chaired by director Zhang Yimou. With over 30 years of experience in the film industry, producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc has participated in numerous domestic and international projects and has been involved with Vietnamese art films that have been showcased and awarded prizes at international film festivals. Currently, she is in charge of the training program and project incubator at DANAFF.
It can be noted that, with the well-organized activities and events, including the Vietnamese Film Pavilion, thematic seminars, and Vietnam Night in Busan, the VFDA continues to promote films by combining the promotion of works, talents, production projects, and connecting stakeholders in the film industry. Meetings at BIFF not only contribute to raising awareness of Vietnamese cinema but also open up opportunities for cooperation in production, distribution, project development, and attracting international film crews to Vietnam.
