Vietnam
Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam and Galaxy Cinema
Vietnam
Date: 6 November – 8 November 2025
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Galaxy Cinema, Thiso Mall Sala)
Guest: Sammo Hung, Louis Koo, Herbert Leung
Screening: Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Stuntman, Four Trails, Last Song for You
Partner: Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam and Galaxy Cinema
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Vietnam, presented by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (HKETO Singapore), and sponsored by the Creative Culture and Innovation Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund, the Opening was successfully held on 6 November 2025 at Galaxy Cinema, Thiso Mall Sala in Ho Chi Minh City. With the theme “Together We Dare to Be Powerful,” the event celebrated the courage and creativity of Hong Kong filmmakers in breaking boundaries and expanding the possibilities of Asian cinema.
The red-carpet opening shone with glamour, drawing Vietnamese film stars, filmmakers, distributors, and distinguished guests. More than 500 attendees filled the venue, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere. When Sammo Hung and Louis Koo appeared, the crowd erupted — fans waved banners, lit up name signs, and handed them flowers as photographers rushed forward to capture the moment. Both stars stopped to greet their fans warmly, posing for selfies amid thunderous cheers that lit up the night sky of Ho Chi Minh City. Their arrival in Vietnam was also met with passionate fan reception at the airport, where members of Louis Koo’s fan club turned out in full force.
The ceremony opened with speeches by Dr. Wilfred Wong, GBM, GBS, JP (Chairman of the Asian Film Awards Academy and the Hong Kong Film Development Council) and Mr. Owin Fung, JP (Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore).
Dr. Wilfred Wong said: “This event marks a special milestone — the first time we bring this signature Hong Kong film programme to Ho Chi Minh City. We are delighted to share the passion and creativity of Hong Kong cinema with Vietnamese audiences and industry partners. Vietnam is one of the most vibrant and fast-growing film markets in Asia. With its talented filmmakers and enthusiastic audiences, it offers enormous potential for cultural and business collaboration. Through this initiative, we hope to open new doors for film exchange, co-production, and distribution partnerships between Hong Kong and Vietnam.”
Mr. Owin Fung remarked:“I hope this Gala Presentation will give Vietnamese film lovers a glimpse of Hong Kong’s recent, modern film productions and, equally important, open a new chapter of creative partnership between Hong Kong and Vietnam.”
Many Vietnamese filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals took the opportunity to interact with Sammo Hung and Louis Koo, sharing conversations and photo moments that highlighted the growing ties between Vietnam and Hong Kong. Both stars were warmly welcomed and admired by the Vietnamese film community, creating an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and laughter. The exchange fostered a stronger connection between the two film industries and laid the groundwork for future collaboration.
The opening film was the Hong Kong action blockbuster Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. After the ceremony, Sammo Hung and Louis Koo entered the theatre to greet audiences in person. Sammo Hung shared, “I’m so glad to be here in Vietnam meeting everyone. It’s amazing to see how Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In has been so well received across different places and countries — thank you all so much.”
When asked which scenes the audience should pay special attention to, Louis Koo joked, “The whole film from start to finish!” He then learned to say, “Hello everyone” and “I’m very happy” in Vietnamese, adding that he looked forward to returning to Vietnam again. Their charm and warm presence brought the audience to a cheerful crescendo, ending the greeting session on a high note filled with applause and laughter.
Several Vietnamese film companies and distributors also attended the event and later joined Dr. Wong and Hong Kong filmmakers at a reception to discuss future cooperation in the Asian market. The evening was a celebration of cinema and cultural exchange, perfectly embodying the spirit of “Together We Dare to Be Powerful.”
Among the Hong Kong filmmakers travelling to Vietnam was Herbert Leung, director of Stuntman. On 7 November, he joined a special sharing session with Vietnamese director Trần Thanh Huy, moderated by actress Nguyễn Lâm Thảo Tâm. The two directors discussed the art and culture of Asian action cinema and shared their creative experiences, from funding challenges to filming processes. The session attracted an engaged audience who eagerly asked questions and expressed interest in both directors’ future projects. That evening, Herbert Leung also attended the post-screening discussion of Stuntman to share his insights with Vietnamese viewers.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Vietnam ran from 6 to 8 November 2025, featuring four Hong Kong films — Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Stuntman, Four Trails, and Last Song For You — showcasing the diverse creativity and resilience of Hong Kong cinema.
Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation
Screening Schedule:
6/11/2025 (Thu) 19:00 Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In *Meet & Greet: Sammo Hung, Louis Koo
7/11/2025 (Fri) 19:00 Stuntman *Post-screening talk: Director Herbert Leung
8/11/2025 (Sat) 16:00 Last Song For You
8/11/2025 (Sat) 18:00 Four Trails
8/11/2025 (Sat) 20:00 Stuntman
Panel: Together We Dare to be Powerful: Directing Stories Across Hong Kong and Vietnam
Date: 7 November 2025
Time: 14:30-15:30
Venue: Hello World – Dragon Space
Speakers: Herbert Leung, Trần Thanh Huy
Moderator: Nguyễn Lâm Thảo Tâm
Leaflet
Asian Film Awards Academy
The Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization, was founded by Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo International Film Festivals with the shared goal of celebrating excellence in Asian cinema. Aiming to promote and recognise Asian films and its talents, AFAA highlights, strengthens and develops Asian film industry through the annual Asian Film Awards and several year-round initiatives.
Our year-round events and programmes are held with the objectives to promote Asian films to a wider audience, expand the film market within Asia, and build and sustain connections among Hong Kong and international film professional. Masterclass Series – in conversation with filmmakers, Journey to the fest – Student Visit to International Film Festivals, Asian Cinerama – Film Roadshow, and Young Film Professionals Programme – overseas training and work-placement, are examples of our year-round programmes. These programmes could not have held successfully without the financial support of Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), formerly known as Create Hong Kong, and Film Development Fund (FDF) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. AFAA has worked to promote, educate, inform and develop knowledge, skills and interest in Asian cinema among the industry, students and audiences in Asia and beyond with the support of film festivals and cultural organizations.
Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency
CCIDA, formerly known as Create Hong Kong is established in June 2024and is a dedicated office set up by the HKSAR Government under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. It provides one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conductive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, cultural and creative sectors as industries.
Film Development Fund
The FDF was first set up by the Government in 1999 to support projects conducive to the long-term development of the film industry in Hong Kong. Since 2005, the HKSAR Government has injected a total of $1.54 billion into FDF to support Hong Kong’s film industry along four strategic directions, namely nurturing talent, enhancing local production, expanding markets and building audience. In the past, FDF has supported a number of film productions and other film-related projects through various film production funding schemes and other film-related project schemes.
Please contact us if any questions,
Email: info@afa-academy.com
Tel: +852 3195 0608
Website: www.afa-academy.com
