Belgian TV to screen prime-time documentary on Ho Chi Minh City

VOV.VN - La Trois, a channel under Belgian national public broadcaster RTBF, will screen the documentary “Saïgon, la perle de l'Extrême-Orient” (Saigon, Pearl of the Far East) during prime time at 10:15 p.m. local time on August 19.

The broadcast is a rare European documentary dedicated entirely to capturing the contemporary economic and social landscape of Ho Chi Minh City for audiences in Belgium and across the French-speaking world.

According to RTBF, the documentary opens with a striking observation: Home to nearly 10 million people, Ho Chi Minh City, a southern economic center in Vietnam, stands as one of Asia’s most dynamic metropolises.

The city moves at a relentless pace, where modern skyscrapers, historic alleys, fine-dining establishments, and street food carts exist side by side. This synergy, combined with competitive living costs and welcoming locals, is drawing a new generation of expatriates looking to build careers.

The film follows several French and Belgian nationals who have made the city their home. Among them is Vincent, a former corporate employee who left his career in France to co-found the globally recognized chocolate brand Marou after discovering 19th-century cocoa plantations during a trekking trip in Vietnam.

Another featured profile is Benoît, 43, a chef trained under culinary legend Alain Ducasse, who now lives in the city with his family and runs a French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant. Meanwhile, Timothée, 38, manages a cafe in a historic neighborhood and learned fluent Vietnamese to connect more deeply with his staff and the local community.

However, the documentary does not shy away from current challenges. Real estate prices in Ho Chi Minh City have tripled over the past six years, creating pressure for newcomers, particularly young professionals like Ambre, 22, an advertising intern drawn to the vibrant central districts of Vietnam's largest commercial center.

RTBF noted that selecting Ho Chi Minh City for a prime-time slot was no coincidence. For over a decade, Vietnam has sustained annual economic growth above 6%, among the highest globally, on the back of a booming middle class and rapid urbanization. The film highlights Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest skyscraper rising along the Saigon River, as a symbol of this new era.

The documentary will also be available for online streaming on RTBF's Auvio platform through November 15, 2026.

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