Ho Chi Minh City has made significant contributions to Vietnamese cinema by serving as the country’s largest film production hub, a cradle for human resource training, and the location where a comprehensive cinematic ecosystem has taken shape, encompassing cinema complexes and major film enterprises. The city is also a key venue for international film events and is actively moving toward becoming the first “City of Cinema” in the region.
1. Key Contributions of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest film production center in Vietnam, home to numerous film studios, institutions, and major production companies. Notable entities include the Ho Chi Minh City Television Film Studio (TFS), the City Center for Performing Arts and Cinema, along with many private film production companies. In addition, the city hosts talent-supporting organizations such as TPD Saigon and various startup hubs that nurture and develop film projects.
Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City is the birthplace of many commercially successful Vietnamese films that have repeatedly broken domestic box-office records.
The film “The Tunnel: Sun in the Dark” achieved a box-office revenue exceeding VND 172 billion, making it the highest-grossing Vietnamese historical and revolutionary war film in the country’s cinema history.
2. A Comprehensive Cinematic Ecosystem
Film Enterprises: Ho Chi Minh City is home to 935 film-related enterprises, providing employment for more than 9,200 workers across the cinematic value chain.
Cinema Infrastructure: The city possesses the largest cinema exhibition system in Vietnam, with 52 cinema complexes and 295 screening rooms, forming a robust distribution and exhibition network.
Revenue Contribution: In 2024, the city’s film industry generated an estimated USD 500 million in revenue, accounting for approximately 40% of Vietnam’s total cinema market share.
International Film Events: Ho Chi Minh City regularly hosts major international film events, including the Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF) and various international short film festivals. These events play a vital role in connecting Vietnamese filmmakers with regional and global cinema communities.
Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival (HIFF 2024)
International Development Goals: The city is currently preparing and submitting its application to UNESCO for recognition as a City of Cinema within the UNESCO Creative Cities Network—a significant milestone aimed at elevating Ho Chi Minh City’s film industry to the international stage.