The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Cinema Department are overseeing a new 15-minute film project, "Profile of my country", directed by Luong Dinh Dung. The film, which aims to introduce the diverse beauty of 34 Vietnamese provinces and cities, is scheduled to begin filming in October and premiere on Vietnamese Culture Day, 24/11.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ta Quang Dong, expressed his hopes for the project at a press conference on 30/6 in Ha Noi. He emphasized that the film's value would lie in its ability to emotionally connect with viewers, inspiring them to visit Vietnam and interact with its people, rather than simply listing landmarks. Mr. Dong stated, "the 15-minute film is a starting point, laying the groundwork for future products showcasing Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and traditional attire."

Bringing together 300 actors, the film weaves together various character stories. Director Luong Dinh Dung noted the challenge in defining its genre, as it blends storytelling methods from feature films, documentaries, and promotional content. Despite its short runtime, the crew faced pressure to select characteristic images for each province and city. The film aims to highlight the unique cultural essence of each locality, rather than just famous landmarks. The production team will prioritize showcasing the simple beauty of nature and people, without over-relying on technology.

Director Luong Dinh Dung. *Photo: Provided by subject*

"Instead of trying to include everything, the film is designed as an inviting gateway, sparking curiosity and a desire to experience local culture," the director explained. Luong Dinh Dung has previous experience producing cultural promotion projects filmed in the UK, Japan, and other countries. Following this initial production highlighting the beauty of the provinces and cities, he plans to undertake projects focusing on cuisine and tourism.

The film will be distributed on digital platforms and screened at cultural events both domestically and internationally. It will also be shown at diplomatic agencies, public venues, and on air and water transport routes.

Luong Dinh Dung, 53, is a graduate of the screenwriting program at the Vietnam National University of Theater and Cinema. He gained recognition for *Father and Son*, released in 2017. This work represented Vietnam in the Oscar competition for Best Foreign Language Film and participated in many film festivals. Its most notable achievement was winning Best Asian Film at the Fajr Film Festival in Tehran, Iran. Subsequently, he released several other projects, including the horror film *Slumber City*, the short film *Mr. Mo's Story*, the documentary *Red Xam*, and the action film *578: The Madman's Bullet*.

Ha Thu