Hai Phong – Gateway for cinema
Screen portrayals of Hai Phong not only preserve the city's beauty over time but also offer a rich source of material drawn from its history, people and contemporary life.
Hai Phong on screen
For many viewers, the film Song O Day Song (Waves at the Bottom of the River) brings to mind Nui, a character whose life is marked by numerous twists and turns, as well as images of Hai Phong in the 1960s. “I still remember and enjoy watching Song O Day Song because Nui's story and those of the other characters are so true to everyday life. Whenever I watch it again, I also pay attention to the streets, houses and daily routines of Hai Phong residents in the past. Although the film was made a long time ago, it still feels familiar and brings back vivid memories of our generation's past,” said Le Thi Mai, a resident of Le Chan Ward, Hai Phong City.
Beyond Song O Day Song, Hai Phong has also appeared on screen through stories associated with the city's history and everyday life. The film Khoi Trang (White Smoke, 1963) explores life at Hai Phong Cement Factory. Meanwhile, Bien Lua (Sea of Fire, 1966) was inspired by the attack on Cat Bi Airfield during the resistance war against French colonial rule. These films captured the city's industrial character and the fighting spirit of its people.
In 2017, the landscapes of Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay were selected as filming locations for Kong: Skull Island, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The film introduced Hai Phong's coastal and island scenery to international audiences, demonstrating that the area could meet the demands of large-scale film productions.
According to screenwriter Nguyen Long Khanh, Hai Phong has many more stories that could be developed into films, including the story of female general Le Chan, the years of resistance against French colonials and US aggressors associated with unnumbered ships, and the city's development process. Alongside its system of relics, landscapes and contemporary life, Hai Phong also has a pool of professionals working in screenwriting, directing, acting and cinematography. “If these resources are introduced more widely, they could create opportunities for the city to connect with producers and bring stories about Hai Phong to the screen,” said Khanh.
Looking forward to new connections
The film forum “Hai Phong – A Gateway for Cinema,” co-organized by Hai Phong authorities and the Vietnam Association for Film Promotion and Development, is scheduled to take place from November 21 to 23, 2026. The program will include thematic forums, the exhibition “Vietnam on Screen,” the artistic program “Hai Phong – A Meeting Place: Songs from Movies,” networking activities for film businesses, location scouting tours and public film screenings.
Location scouting and business networking will give filmmakers opportunities to explore places suited to their scripts, meet partners and discuss possible collaborations. The exhibition, artistic program and film screenings will allow audiences to revisit the city's cinematic legacy while introducing Hai Phong through the medium of film.
Screenwriter Nguyen Long Khanh hopes the forum will open up opportunities for Hai Phong to make a breakthrough in the film industry. In his view, the city needs to take the initiative in showcasing its stories, landscapes and advantages, while strengthening connections with producers, directors and other film professionals. This would give stories about Hai Phong greater opportunities to be developed into screenplays and brought to the screen.
The November film forum is expected to create opportunities for Hai Phong to connect with production companies, showcase promising filming locations and explore potential partnerships. These meetings could help turn ideas into concrete projects, giving the stories, people and landscapes of the port city more opportunities to appear on screen.
HA LINH