Netflix to soon debut made-in-Vietnam movie

By Tri Duc
Fri, March 24, 2023 | 3:28 pm GMT+7

Netflix will make an April debut for “A Tourist's Guide to Love,” Netflix’s first and fully-captured-in-Vietnam movie with an investment of $3.5 million, said Josephine Choy, vice president and general counsel, Asia Pacific, of the streaming giant.

She made the statement at a meeting with the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Culture and Education Committee in Hanoi on Friday. Choy affirmed the move would demonstrate Vietnam’s beauty and culture to 190 nations via the Netflix platform, while lauding Vietnam’s assistance during the filmmaking process in 2022.

Josephine Choy, vice president and general counsel Asia Pacific of Netflix. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam National Assembly portal.

Josephine Choy, vice president and general counsel Asia Pacific of Netflix. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam National Assembly portal.

She added that Netflix is willing to cooperate with Vietnamese partners to bring Vietnamese products to the global stage. The company has so far brought about 200 Vietnamese films to its platforms and collaborated with local agencies to create subtitles and voice-overs for some Netflix movies.

Besides, Choy said Netflix is willing to enhance Vietnam’s innovative economy, as part of the country’s digital economy, and urged the country to lift barriers and hurdles in the sector.

Nguyen Dac Vinh, head of the National Assembly’s Culture and Education Committee, welcomed Netflix’s investments in Vietnam and said the country’s legislative body would facilitate Netflix’s activities.

One day earlier, Choy had a meeting with Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam. She said Netflix is working with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to set up its Vietnam representative office and called on the Ministry of Information and Communications to support the process.

On Tuesday, at a working session with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choy expressed Netflix’s backing to the ministry in updating the legal framework for cinematography, particularly terms related to movies on Internet-based platforms.

The Vietnamese government’s Decree 71/2022 stipulates foreign over-the-top (OTT) service providers in the Vietnamese market, such as Netflix, iFlix, WeTV, iQiYi, must set up legal entities in Vietnam. The OTT television service in Vietnam recorded a revenue of VND1.55 trillion ($65.97 million) in 2022, up 26.2% year-on-year versus 2017, with 22 firms and 5.5 million subscribers, according to the information ministry.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
How much is your identity worth?

How much is your identity worth?

With 87% of Vietnamese adults having bank accounts and approximately 95% of transactions conducted via online channels, how banks can protect their customers’ personal data has become important more than ever, writes Phillip Wright, chief operating officer at HSBC Vietnam.

Consulting - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 4:01 pm GMT+7

Foxconn plans to expand product portfolio at $200 mln plant in central Vietnam

Foxconn plans to expand product portfolio at $200 mln plant in central Vietnam

Fu Wing Interconnect Technology (Nghe An) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Taiwan-based electronics giant Foxconn, plans to expand the range of products at its $200 million factory in Vietnam’s central province of Nghe An.

Industries - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 3:35 pm GMT+7

Sumitomo okayed to build 4th industrial park in Vietnam

Sumitomo okayed to build 4th industrial park in Vietnam

With an industrial park to develop in the central province of Thanh Hoa, Japan's Sumitomo will expand its industrial real estate portfolio in Vietnam to four projects amid rising FDI inflows.

Industrial real estate - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 2:16 pm GMT+7

Vietnam upholds 8% GDP growth target despite US tariff turmoil

Vietnam upholds 8% GDP growth target despite US tariff turmoil

The Vietnamese Government is persistent with its 8% growth goal though disadvantages outweigh advantages, with a focus on solutions to respond to U.S. reciprocal tariffs, PM Pham Minh Chinh told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Economy - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 12:42 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's sugar major Quang Ngai Sugar JSC posts lowest Q1 profit in 2 years

Vietnam's sugar major Quang Ngai Sugar JSC posts lowest Q1 profit in 2 years

Quang Ngai Sugar JSC, owner of famous soy milk brand Fami in Vietnam, reported its weakest Q1 profit in two years as its sugar business struggled under pressure from smuggled and imported sugar, though the soy milk segment continued to support revenue.

Companies - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 11:14 am GMT+7

Listing, state capital divestment “blockbusters” new catalysts for Vietnam's stock market

Listing, state capital divestment “blockbusters” new catalysts for Vietnam's stock market

As Vietnam’s stock market enters an information lull following Q1 earnings releases and AGMs, recent news about major listing and state capital divestment plans are expected to be significant catalysts for the country's benchmark VN-Index.

Finance - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7

Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam

Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam

CT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of CT Group, has begun the second phase of construction on what is set to become Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip factory fully owned by a domestic company.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:50 pm GMT+7

Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam

Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam

Japanese retailers Aeon and Sumitomo have planned to expand their networks in Vietnam, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:39 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge

Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge

Vietjet Aviation JSC (HoSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-over-year increase in consolidated profit for Q1, driven by strong international expansion and operational excellence, reinforcing its leadership in regional connectivity.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:35 pm GMT+7

Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index

Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index

The coastal city of Hai Phong has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7

Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US

Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US

Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7

Superapp Grab appoints new heads in Singapore, Vietnam

Superapp Grab appoints new heads in Singapore, Vietnam

Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, on Monday announced leadership appointments in Singapore and Vietnam, effective July 1, 2025.

Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:06 pm GMT+7

ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021

ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021

Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.

Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing

Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing

BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.

Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7

Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties

Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties

Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.

Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7

Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters

Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters

More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.

Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7