The figure was revealed at an international consultation seminar on February 15, where experts provided insights on the city's bid to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

According to Pham Binh An, Vice Director of the HCM City Institute for Development Studies, the city's film sector currently has 935 businesses, employing over 9,200 people, and contributing 0.43% to the city's GRDP. The southern metropolis is home to 10 cinema chains, 52 cinema complexes, 295 screening rooms, and 184 creative spaces for professional artistic activities.

Despite its remarkable domestic market share, the city's film industry remains relatively small in scale. Experts at the seminar underlined the need for expanded international outreach.

Jérémy Segay, Audiovisual Attaché at the French Embassy in Vietnam, pointed out the lack of a dedicated office to assist film crews, making it difficult for international productions to navigate location scouting and administrative procedures. He also noted the absence of a modern film studio and recommended financial incentives to attract more productions.

Bui Quang Minh, Chairman of Beta Group, a multi-service conglomerate specializing in entertainment, housing, and education in Vietnam, highlighted the strong post-pandemic recovery of Vietnam’s cinema industry, with total box office revenue reaching VND4.7 trillion in 2024, including VND2 trillion from domestic films. He emphasized the importance of consistently producing high-quality films to sustain audience interest.

According to Minh, for large-scale investments in film studios to be viable, the industry must expand further with more frequent and higher-budget productions.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to allocate US$16.72 million over four years to various initiatives, including integrating film education into schools, launching the "Colors of Life through Cinema" project, developing creative film spaces, and organizing an annual international film festival.

If accepted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for film, Ho Chi Minh City would become the first city in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to achieve this status, positioning itself as a key hub for regional and international cinematic collaboration.

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