Vietnam's art market in 2025: Revenue reaching 3,017 billion VND.
In the first half of 2025, domestic box office revenue reached 3,017 billion VND, a significant increase compared to the same period last year. Vietnamese films accounted for 67% of the market share, demonstrating the industry's resurgence.
Vietnamese Cinema: The Mark of Record-Breaking Numbers
The Vietnamese arts market, particularly the film industry, has recorded impressive results in the first six months of 2025. According to film critic Le Hong Lam, total domestic box office revenue reached 3,017 billion VND, an increase of nearly 270 billion VND compared to the same period in 2024. This is considered the strongest growth rate since the pandemic.
Notably, despite accounting for less than one-sixth of all films released, Vietnamese cinemas captured 67% of the box office market share. This demonstrates the growing trust audiences place in domestic productions. The success of films like "The Tunnel," with its 172 billion VND revenue, significantly contributed to this overall achievement.
According to Mr. Lam, international co-production is an essential direction for the sustainable development of Vietnamese cinema. Collaborative projects with South Korea, Thailand, or India not only bring commercial benefits but also help the domestic film industry access modern technology and global distribution networks.
The rise of fine arts and performing arts
Besides cinema, the field of fine arts has also made many positive strides. Dr. Pham Lan Huong from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture emphasized the effectiveness of preserving and repatriating rare painting collections. From 2018 to 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts has received three valuable collections from France, including works by renowned painters Le Thi Luu and Le Ba Dang.
Digital technology is also opening up new avenues for the development of fine arts. The VAES online art exhibition space of the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum has attracted nearly 90,000 visits in its first nine months of launch. Projects such as Viet Art Now and the NFT painting competition also contribute to creating a dynamic, internationally integrated market.
The performing arts sector has also seen a boom with shows like "Brother Says Hi," "Brother Overcomes a Thousand Obstacles," and "Beautiful Sister Rides the Waves." These models not only create new experiences for audiences but also open up many revenue and promotional opportunities for Vietnamese artists.
Towards a transparent and sustainable market.
The rapid development of the art market also poses challenges regarding copyright and intellectual property. Mr. Phan Vu Tuan, Head of Phan Law Vietnam Law Office, believes that it is necessary to promote the application of technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage and monitor violations, ensuring transparency and product traceability.
Experts agree that establishing a clear legal framework is fundamental to sustainable market development. It is projected that by 2025, eight cultural industries will contribute approximately VND 53.2 trillion to GDP, and this figure could reach VND 94.8 trillion by 2030, affirming the role of art as a vital economic resource.
