The 24th Vietnam Film Festival, held in Ho Chi Minh City from November 21–25, is the country’s largest biennial cinema event and a meaningful step in shaping Vietnam’s film brand in an era of global integration.
With the theme “Vietnamese Cinema – Sustainable Development and International Integration in the New Era,” this year’s festival reflects that ambition.
The event gains added significance as it follows UNESCO’s recognition of Ho Chi Minh City as a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) for film.
Opening ceremony of the 24th Vietnam Film Festival. Photo courtesy of the Organizing Committee
Beyond showcasing 144 films, the festival is an opportunity for the city to demonstrate its capacity to host major cultural events and foster connections across Vietnam’s creative film community.
This year marks a transitional moment for Vietnamese cinema, where the lines between art, technology, and market demand are increasingly intertwined. Post-pandemic, Vietnam’s box office has rebounded strongly, with domestic films reaching record revenues and private producers rising in influence.
The festival also highlights a range of genres, from historical, war, and action films to documentaries and animation, showing both commercial success and artistic ambition.
More than a platform for the prestigious Golden Lotus awards, the festival opens conversations about the future of Vietnamese cinema: industrialization, digital transformation, infrastructure, and deeper global integration. Together, these elements signal that Vietnamese film is stepping confidently into a new chapter.
Translated by DO HUONG
VNQD