Images of an impressive and enchanting Vietnam will be introduced to audiences of 190 countries and territories worldwide through the film ‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’, which will be streamed on Netflix on April 21.

The film ‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ will be streamed on Netflix on April 21. (Photo: Netflix)

A premiere was held at Hanoi Opera House on April 18 by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham), the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST), the US Embassy in Vietnam, and Netflix.

Speaking at the premiere, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong highly appreciated the efforts of Netflix in promoting the image, beauty and culture of Vietnam to friends around the world through the movie ‘A Tourist's Guide to Love’.

Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong speaking at the premiere (Photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn)

“This would be a premise for Netflix in particular and international filmmakers in general to have more ideas in producing movies in Vietnam,” he said, expressing his hope for more international cinema activities in Vietnam, which will help to advertise the image of Vietnam worldwide.

For his part, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper extended his thanks to the great support of Vietnamese authorities during the shooting of the film, stressing that the making of the film has significant meaning as it coincided with the 10th anniversary of the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership.

‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ is the first international film to have been approved by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to shoot in Vietnam since the country successfully controlled the COVID-19 pandemic.

It boasts the beauty of local landscapes as well as Vietnamese people and culture through six main filming locations across Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, and Ha Giang.

The film was scripted by Vietnamese-American Eirene Donohue, who was inspired by her own travels to explore her roots; helmed by director Steven Tsuchida; and involved over 200 local crew members and vendors.

It is a melting pot of international and local cast, including Rachael Leigh Cook, Missi Pyle, Ben Feldman, Vietnamese-American actor Scott Ly, and local stars Truc Tran and Meritorious Artist Le Thien.

The excitement of Ho Chi Minh City was captivating, while the traditions of Hanoi were enriching. The diversity and culture of Da Nang, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary was breath-taking. And living and filming in Ha Giang was spiritually moving.

Director Steven Tsuchida

It tells the story of Amanda, a travel executive who experiences an unexpected break-up and decides to accept an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Vietnam.

Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide when they decide to hijack the tour bus to explore life and love off the beaten path.

The film's official trailer has impressed viewers with the charming landscapes of Hoi An Ancient Town and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province, My Khe Beach in Da Nang City, terraced fields in Ha Giang Province, peaceful images of Hanoi, Ben Thanh Market, and the bustling and modern life of Ho Chi Minh City.

Sharing his thought about the filming process, director Steven Tsuchida emphasised that to be able to film in so many locations in Vietnam was his once-in-a-lifetime experience.

‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ marks an important historical moment as the first US film to be entirely shot on location in Vietnam (Photo: Netflix)

“The excitement of Ho Chi Minh City was captivating, while the traditions of Hanoi were enriching. The diversity and culture of Da Nang, Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary was breath-taking. And living and filming in Ha Giang was spiritually moving,” he described. “Vietnam is insanely beautiful, and the landscape is so incredibly diverse,” he concluded.

For Texas-born Scott Ly, it was an unprecedented opportunity to reconnect with his roots. “It was like coming home,” he said. “Words can't describe it, really.”

‘A Tourist’s Guide to Love’ marks an important historical moment as the first US film to be entirely shot on location there.

“There are almost no American movies set in Vietnam that aren’t about the trauma of war,” screenwriter Eirene Donohue stressed. “It was really important to me to tell a story about life now. One that was full of joy and love and celebration. I wanted to change the conversation about Vietnam, to highlight it as a modern thriving country whose stories are worthy of being told,” she noted.

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