A Vivid cinematic canvas – Ha Long Bay through the lens
Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site and one of the world’s natural wonders, is also a premier travel destination famed for its majestic and mysterious beauty-filled with poetic charm and hidden magic. This captivating seascape not only enchants visitors with its romantic scenery but also serves as an endless source of artistic inspiration, especially in cinema, where it contributes to creating emotionally rich and visually stunning scenes.
With its towering limestone karsts rising from emerald green waters and thousands of uniquely shaped islands, Ha Long Bay resembles a perfect natural painting-cinematic in every detail. For that reason, it has often been called an ideal "open-air film set," becoming the backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters across genres-from romance, adventure, and fantasy, to high-value documentaries and reality TV shows.
Through each camera angle and every frame, Ha Long Bay emerges with both grandeur and allure, leaving unforgettable impressions on audiences around the world.
• The French Film Indochine (1992)
One of the first films to bring Ha Long Bay to a global audience, Indochine, directed by Régis Wargnier, showcased the Bay's stunning landscape. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 65th Oscars and also received a Golden Globe Award.
The Vertical Ray of the Sun
The Vertical Ray of the Sun is a film by director Trần Anh Hùng, co-produced by Vietnamese, French, and German film studios. It premiered in May 2000 at the Cannes Film Festival and was released in the United States in July 2000.
Ha Long Bay appears in several scenes as part of a journey through nature, highlighting the serene beauty of northern Vietnam. Its presence is interwoven with the emotional depth of the characters, serving not only as a scenic backdrop but also as a subtle reflection of the film’s inner emotional landscape.
• Vietnam – The dream boat (Vietnam – Das Traumschiff, 2008)
This documentary, produced by Germany’s ZDF Television, featured Ha Long Bay as one of its primary filming locations. Part of ZDF’s global travel series showcasing the world’s most beautiful destinations, the film follows a group of German tourists on a journey through Vietnam, with Ha Long Bay serving as a key highlight of their exploration.- • Top Gear: Vietnam Special (2008)
The Vietnam Special is an episode of the popular BBC automotive show Top Gear. In this episode, the three hosts travel to Ha Long Bay to take on a unique challenge: converting their motorbikes into watercrafts in order to navigate the Bay in search of a floating bar - all within the maze of 1,969 limestone islands that make up this iconic landscape.
• Documentary by Thai PBS Television (2012)
The film crew from Thai PBS Television produced a two-part documentary about Ha Long Bay and the lives of the fishing village community in Cua Van. The documentary was broadcast in both Thai and English.- “Pan” film (2015)
This fantasy film directed by Joe Wright and co-produced by the renowned Warner Bros. Studio drew inspiration from the mythical land of Neverland. The movie utilized imagery of Ha Long Bay to recreate and depict a surreal, magical landscape that served as the backdrop for several key scenes.
• Hollywood Blockbuster Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Kong: Skull Island is a science fiction action film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The movie received widespread positive reviews from critics, particularly praising its visual effects. Notably, Ha Long Bay was chosen as the main filming location for many extended and important scenes, helping to create the mysterious and wild atmosphere of “Skull Island.”
Thi Mai, rumbo a Vietnam (2017)
This family comedy, directed by Patricia Ferreira, was produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Spain. The film skillfully incorporates imagery that highlights the beauty of Vietnam, especially Ha Long Bay, which serves not only as a backdrop but also as a symbol of the characters’ journey of self-discovery and transformation.
- Life (2017)
Life is a science fiction project directed by Daniel Espinosa. The story revolves around a group of scientists working in outer space who face a crisis after discovering a mysterious extraterrestrial life form. After most scenes take place off Earth, Ha Long Bay appears near the film’s conclusion, showcasing towering limestone mountains rising from emerald green waters, creating a striking and memorable ending.
The Creator (2023)
This is a science fiction film directed by Gareth Edwards. In the movie, Ha Long Bay appears with its vast limestone mountains shrouded in mist and calm waters, creating a unique setting for a life-or-death battle. The combination of majestic nature and intense pacing results in impressive cinematography that captivates the audience.
It is clear that the combination of majestic natural beauty and rich cultural depth has transformed Ha Long Bay into a vivid artistic space, where every scene breathes grandeur and poetry. The stunning cinematography capturing the spectacular beauty of this place has helped awaken a deep sense of pride in the hearts of Vietnamese viewers and plays an important role as a bridge, bringing the image of the country closer to the hearts of international friends.
Translated by Thuy Ha