(VOVworld) – “Kong: Skull Island” being shot in Vietnam has caught the attention of the world media and movie fans. The movie is expected to be a blockbuster in 2017. The selection of Vietnam as one of 3 countries where the film will be shot will be a valuable opportunity for Vietnam to promote its tourism.

The movie will be shot during 5 weeks in Quang Binh and Ninh Binh province and Ha Long Bay. The movie, the biggest to be shot in Vietnam, will premier in March, 2017. Vu The Binh, Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said: “Information about activities of the film crew in Vietnam is far beyond what we’ve done to promote Vietnam’s tourism. They will be impressed with the hospitality of Vietnamese people, which will be significant in promoting Vietnam’s tourism. Films are an effective way to promote tourism.”

In the early 90s, “Indochine” won an Academy award for the Best Foreign Language film, thanks to which many tourists visited Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, and HCM city where the film was shot. Prior to Kong: Skull Island, scenes in Vietnam also appeared in a number of international films including Pan. But it’s a pity that Vietnam was not mentioned in any of those films. Heaven and Earth directed by Oliver Stone did not receive Vietnam’s approval for its script so it was shot in Thailand. Vietnam’s refusal of Tomorrow Never Dies, a film in the James Bond 007 series, to be shot in Ha Long Bay amazed Hollywood. It was shot in Thailand. None of the Hollywood films about the Vietnam war was shot in Vietnam.

Do Duy Anh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Cinematography Department, said Vietnam has not created preferential policies for foreign film makers and lacks personnel to support film crews and logistical services. He said: “Cinematography and tourism are inter-related. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Vietnam Cinematography Department need to work more closely to promote Vietnam’s image and culture at international film festivals and tourism events. The Vietnam Cinematography Department should consult the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on incentives for foreign film makers such as taxes and visa requirements.”

At Locations Show 2016 in India, Vietnamese ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh said the Vietnam Cinematography Department and the Vietnamese Embassy in India will help Indian film projects seek partners and establish procedures.