The 4th Namaste Vietnam Festival 2025 wrapped up on 20 November in Ninh Binh, concluding a four-day showcase of culture, tourism, cinema, and bilateral collaboration between India and Vietnam. Jointly organised by the Provincial Government of Ninh Binh and Innovations India, the festival—curated by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Captain Rahul Bali—brought together cultural leaders, diplomats, business heads, and film personalities from both nations, underscoring the growing warmth and engagement under India’s Act East Policy.
The grand opening ceremony at the Versak Hall in the Tam Chuc Complex was attended by dignitaries including H.E. Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism of Vietnam; Mr. Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman, People’s Committee of Ninh Binh; Ms. Pham Thi Thanh Huong, Head of the Cultural Department, UNESCO Vietnam; and Dr. Monica Sharma, Director, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Embassy of India in Vietnam, among others. Their participation reflected the festival’s stature as a leading platform for cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation.
A key moment of the event was the signing of three major MoUs aimed at further strengthening India–Vietnam collaboration. Innovations India and Ninh Binh authorities formalised plans to shoot a portion of the upcoming Bollywood film SILAA in Ninh Binh in January 2026. Destination Planners, an Indian travel company, signed an MoU to promote Ninh Binh among Indian tourists, while Indian wedding planning firm Global Access entered into an agreement to position the province as a premium destination for Indian weddings.
In his address, H.E. Ho An Phong said, “The Namaste Vietnam Festival has become a powerful symbol of the growing cultural affinity between Vietnam and India. Each edition brings our peoples closer through shared artistic expression, mutual respect, and a celebration of our rich traditions. We are proud to host this festival and look forward to deepening our cooperation with India across culture, tourism, and creative industries.”
Echoing this sentiment, Tran Song Tung stated, “Ninh Binh is honoured to host the Fourth Namaste Vietnam Festival, which beautifully highlights the harmony between our two nations. Through this festival, we not only showcase the cultural treasures of Ninh Binh but also build bridges of cooperation in tourism, trade, cinema, and people-to-people engagement. We warmly welcome our partners from India and look forward to shaping many more shared successes.”
The festival saw strong participation from both Indian and Vietnamese film industries. Indian actors Riya Sen, Divya Agarwal, Donal Bisht, and Niharica Raizada graced the event along with filmmakers Chandrakant Singh, Tariq Khan, Zeba Sajid, and Abhishek Ankur. Vietnam’s entertainment sector was represented by actress and filmmaker Mai Thu Huyen, actor Trinh Tu Trung, and filmmaker Van Ha.
Adding to the momentum were Dhruv Sinha of Reliance Entertainment and Aashish Singh of Red Chillies Entertainment, whose involvement is expected to propel new collaborations in filmmaking, shooting, and talent exchange.
Vietnam Airlines continued its role as the Official Airline Partner for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening India–Vietnam tourism and cultural links.
The 2025 edition also marked the first participation of a delegation from the Indian state of Mizoram, known for its natural beauty, organic produce, and cultural similarities with Vietnam. The delegation explored opportunities in tourism, trade, and organic products such as bamboo and ginger.
Throughout the festival, attendees experienced cultural performances, interactive seminars on cinema and tourism, and curated tours of iconic Ninh Binh locations including Tam Chuc, Trang An, Bai Dinh, Tam Coc, and Hoa Lu Ancient Town.
Launched in 2022 under the aegis of the Embassy of India in Vietnam, the Namaste Vietnam Festival—conceptualised and executed by Captain Rahul Bali and Innovations India—has grown into a premier annual celebration of cinematic, cultural, and creative ties between the two countries.
The 4th edition concluded as a vibrant showcase of cinema, culture, and camaraderie, bringing Bollywood and Vietnamese stars, dignitaries, and tourism leaders together, and setting the stage for deeper partnerships across film, tourism, and destination wedding ecosystems.
