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On the afternoon of March 10th, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung chaired a meeting with a delegation of Hollywood film directors and producers regarding a new film project.
The Hollywood film director and producer delegation included Rose Lam, Global Chief Production Officer of Riot Studios (Riot Games), and Nicholas Simon, CEO and Producer of Indochina Productions.
Meeting between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a delegation of Hollywood film directors and producers on March 10th.
According to Rose Lam, Riot Games is surveying and planning to film a nine-episode television series based on the popular game "League of Legends" and its online anime. After surveying Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, the film crew found that the Cat Ba archipelago, with its unique natural landscape and ability to meet the production requirements of a large-scale film project, is the ideal and most feasible location for the series.
This is not the first time Vietnam has caught the eye of international filmmakers. In 2016, the blockbuster film crew of "Kong: Skull Island" also chose three Vietnamese locations (Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, and Quang Ninh) as the main filming locations. Ms. Rose Lam hopes that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the local authorities in Cat Ba will actively support and create the best conditions for the film crew to make the film. The film project is also expected to contribute to spreading the image of Vietnamese tourism to international friends, similar to what "Kong: Skull Island" did eight years ago.
During the meeting, representatives of the film crew presented their ideas and plans for film production in Cat Ba, and both sides had direct and specific discussions. Mr. Nicholas Simon, CEO and producer of Indochina Productions, expressed hope that in the future there would be more specific meetings and discussions regarding Vietnamese legal regulations as well as the work to be carried out in Vietnam.
According to Nicholas Simon, Vietnam has always been a top priority destination for international tourists in general and film crews in particular. With a large and stable audience and player base, a Riot Games film shot in Vietnam would undoubtedly have a very positive impact on both countries.
Cat Ba Island (Hai Phong) has been chosen as a filming location for Riot Studios' (Riot Games) upcoming series.
After listening to the opinions and suggestions from the film crew, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung thanked and highly appreciated the film crew's choice of Cat Ba Island as the setting for the film. Affirming the Vietnamese Party and State's stance of wanting to be friends with all countries in the world, and being ready to cooperate for common development, peace, and friendship, the Minister stated that, based on compliance with legal regulations and within permissible conditions, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hai Phong city government will actively support and create favorable conditions for the film crew. They will also make proposals to the Government and relevant agencies to facilitate visa arrangements for the film crew.
The leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also suggested that film collaborations should strictly adhere to Vietnamese law, fostering mutual development, harmonious benefits, and shared risks. Furthermore, the Minister proposed a thorough study of Vietnam's Film Law to ensure high-quality film scenes and footage, avoiding offensive elements that are inappropriate for both Vietnamese and international cinema.
The Minister also stated that Vietnam places special emphasis on protecting natural landscapes and heritage sites. Because the planned filming locations will be within World Natural Heritage sites, prioritizing heritage protection, environmental protection, and marine conservation is paramount. "Vietnam's stance is that we will not sacrifice the environment for economic gain," the Minister affirmed.
Cat Ba is a wonderful blend of primeval forests, azure seas, and a magical cave system. With over 360 islands of varying sizes, it forms a unique limestone labyrinth in the heart of the ocean, boasting a rare and diverse ecosystem. This unparalleled natural beauty was recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site in 2023. The majestic natural landscape, towering cliffs embracing pristine white sand beaches, mysterious caves hidden within the islands, and turquoise waters are the elements that led to Cat Ba being chosen as the setting for the upcoming "League of Legends" series.
