VIETNAM TARGETS TOP 10 GLOBAL CINEMA MARKETS

Moviegoers buy popcorn and drinks at a cinema concession counter in HCMC - PHOTO: GIA NGHI

HCMC – Vietnam’s film industry is aiming to become one of the world’s top 10 cinema markets as ticket sales reached more than 70 million and box office revenue approached VND5.6 trillion in 2025, according to data released by CJ CGV Vietnam.

The figures were presented at a strategic partner conference held by CJ CGV Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on March 11, which brought together producers, directors, filmmakers and cinema operators, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

According to Nguyen Hoang Hai, content director at CJ CGV Vietnam, the market recorded strong growth in 2025. Box office revenue rose 24% from 2024 to nearly VND5.6 trillion, while ticket sales increased 26% to more than 70 million.

Domestic films accounted for 62% of the market, up from 43% in 2024. Within Southeast Asia, Vietnam ranked second in ticket sales in 2025, behind Indonesia, which sold about 100 million tickets despite having a population of more than 280 million.

Vietnam’s ticket sales exceeded those of Thailand, which recorded 36.7 million tickets, Malaysia with 34.9 million, and Singapore with 7.7 million.

Average cinema attendance in Vietnam reached 0.7 visits per person in 2025. The figure remains lower than Singapore’s 1.3 visits and Malaysia’s one visit per person.

CGV’s data also showed that average revenue per Vietnamese film rose to about VND69 billion in 2025, compared with VND62 billion in 2024 and VND18 billion in 2019.

However, many films generated box office revenue of between VND20 billion and VND50 billion, indicating that investment in film production still carries significant risk.

By genre, historical films accounted for nearly one-fourth of total box office revenue in 2025, followed by drama at 22%, comedy at 18%, and horror at 15%. Romance films made up about 7%.

A survey of more than 3,000 moviegoers by CJ CGV Vietnam found that word-of-mouth influenced 49% of ticket purchases.

About half of the audience watched films during the first week of release, compared with 36.7% in the second week and just over 13% in the third week.

The survey also found that star appeal influenced 62.8% of ticket purchase decisions.

Source: The Saigon Times

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

VIETNAM'S MANUFACTURING STORY HAS CHANGED IN 2026

Vietnam is no longer attracting investment solely because of its competitive costs. Today, global manufacturers are increasingly choosing Vietnam for its expanding industrial ecosystem, resilient supply chains and growing role in high-value sectors such as semiconductors, electronics and advanced manufacturing.

Jul 24, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

VIETNAM NEEDS OVER $200BN FROM STOCK MARKET IN NEXT 5 YEARS

Speaking at the event, Bui Hoang Hai, vice-chairman of the State Securities Commission of Vietnam, said total investment demand in the 2026-30 period is estimated at VND38,000 trillion ($1.4 trillion). The state budget can only provide approximately VND8,500 trillion ($323 billion), or 20 percent, leaving the remaining 80 percent to be sourced from private and international capital.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HUNG YEN BUILDS DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS TO DRIVE LONG-TERM GROWTH

From strengthening data infrastructure to developing AI platforms, Hung Yen province is enhancing governance capacity while laying the groundwork for the growth of its digital economy. Hung Yen, about 50-60km southeast of Hanoi, has maintained steady momentum in implementing its digital transformation agenda, creating a stronger foundation for the province to advance science, technology, and innovation.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

CHINESE INVESTMENT WAVE OPENS NEW DOORS

As Chinese companies move beyond factory relocation to ecosystem-driven investment, Vietnam has a rare opportunity to evolve from a low-cost production base into a strategic node in regional value chains. When global companies first diversified supply chains, the focus was largely on relocating manufacturing capacity.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIỆT NAM STEPS UP EXPORT TO ACHIEVE US$550-BILLION TARGET

Việt Nam is intensifying efforts to sustain export momentum in the second half of 2026 as the country works towards its target of US$550 billion in export revenue for the year, despite continuing uncertainties in global trade. Statistics show that exports reached $266.5 billion in the first six months, meaning the economy needs to generate around $245.5 billion more during the remainder of the year to meet the annual goal.

Jul 23, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

ASIA POWERS VIETNAM’S SHRIMP BOOM, LEAVING THE WEST BEHIND

In the first half of 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports surpassed the US$2.3 billion mark, driven largely by booming demand from China and a lobster craze. But behind that growth figure lies a lopsided picture: Asia is carrying the load, while the U.S. and Europe have yet to break out. These days, a container of frozen shrimp leaving a Ho Chi Minh City port is more likely to cross the East Vietnam Sea to Shanghai than the Pacific to Los Angeles.

Jul 23, 2026