Netflix has just announced the film project titled “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” by Rachael Leigh Cook is set in Vietnam.

The marvelous beauty of Hanoi in the Spring. Photo: Cao Anh Tuan

The shooting of A Tourist’s Guide to Love is scheduled to start next month, making it the first international production to film in Vietnam since the outbreak of the global pandemic.

According to a representative from Netflix, A Tourist’s Guide to Love will be shot in five iconic destinations in Vietnam, showcasing the country’s beautiful locales to global audiences, who will be treated to the charming spectacles of vibrant life in Ho Chi Minh City, the natural scenery of Da Nang, the laid-back ancient ambiance of Hoi An, majestic landscapes in Ha Giang, and the unique beauty of Hanoi, where past meets present. 

The gorgeous filming destinations

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is famous for its vivid yellow colonial villas and an enchanting busy life in the Old Quarter Area. Lakes, parks, green boulevards, and more than 600 temples and pagodas also add to the appeal of Hanoi

The interweaving between the modern and the ancient. The vibrant commercial activities and the idyllic life of the urban people have contributed to the uniqueness of Hanoi, a beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, according to travel experts.

Ho Chi Minh City is considered the commercial hub of modern Vietnam today, with an adrenaline-driven spirit and fun-loving people that keep tourists coming back for more each time they visit.

Situated in the central of Vietnam, the small but charming beach city of Da Nang features many stunning beautiful landscapes, rolling mountains and religious relics. Some must-visit attractions in Da Nang are Son Tra or Monkey Mountain, crystal white sand My Khe Beach and My Son Sanctuary, among others.

A corner of Da Nang beach city, Vietnam. Photo: InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort

Meanwhile, the famous Hoi An Ancient Town is among the most wonderful cities in Asia, according to Travel+Leisure Magazine. Tanner Saunders, staff writer of the magazine wrote that Hoi An is a charming town with ancient roots, distinct architecture, contagious energy, and arguably one of the best street food scenes on the planet.

In fact, Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and street plan reflect the combination of both indigenous and foreign influences to produce this unique heritage site.

The town comprises a well-preserved complex of 1,107 timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls, architectural monuments, commercial and domestic vernacular structures, an open market and a ferry quay, as well as religious buildings such as pagodas and family cult houses. 

In addition, Ha Giang has majestic mountain landscapes, of which the most beautiful sites are the UNESCO-recognized Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark and terraced fields in Hoang Su Phi District.

Finally, the ancient beauty of Hanoi will be ideal for the captivating shots of A Tourist’s Guide to Love.

The romantic story

The poster of the motion picture A Tourist’s Guide to Love. Photo: Netflix

Written by Vietnamese-American Eirene Donohue and inspired by her travels to explore her roots, the A Tourist’s Guide to Love follows a travel executive who experiences an unexpected breakup and decides to accept an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Vietnam.

Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide when they decide to hijack a tour bus in order to explore life and love off the beaten path.

Helmed by director Steven Tsuchida, the film takes the very best of Vietnam and in producer and star Rachael Leigh Cook’s words, “it presents a compelling love letter to Vietnam in all its glory, with heart and humor.”

The international cast includes producer and star Rachel Leigh Cook, Vietnamese-American actor Scott Ly, popular local star Truc Tran and Meritorious Artist Le Thien. With Vietnam’s rich culture and breathtaking sites taking centerstage, the production will also involve over 200 local crew members and vendors including those in the production, domestic travel and retail industries.

This is not the first Netflix film Cook has worked on in recent years. She previously starred in and produced the film “Love, Guaranteed” at the streamer. Her other recent roles include the Hallmark movies “Cross Country Christmas,” “A Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas,” and the three “In the Vineyard” motion pictures.