Being chosen by Riot Games — the "father" of League of Legends, with 650 million players worldwide — as the setting for its upcoming TV series set to premiere in late 2025 is a golden opportunity for Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong City to step onto the global stage.
This is not only a cinematic milestone but also a powerful boost for Cat Ba's tourism sector, much like how many films have completely transformed the image of destinations around the world.
When cinema can change a destination
The history of global tourism has proven the power of cinema in transforming a place into a worldwide destination. New Zealand was once merely a paradise for adventure seekers, but when "The Lord of the Rings" was released, tourists flocked to explore the real-life "Middle-earth," nearly doubling the international visitors within a decade.
The New Zealand government even developed a Middle-Earth tourism strategy, turning the country into one of the world's most attractive cinematic destinations.
In Southeast Asia, Bali boomed thanks to the film "Eat, Pray, Love", transforming the island into a Western tourism mecca. According to The New York Times, American visitors to Bali increased by 30% following the film's release, while the Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing reported that 20% of surveyed tourists said they visited this island because of the film.
Ubud — the main setting in the movie — evolved from a small town into a globally renowned centre for yoga, meditation, and wellness retreats.
Cinema is not only a storytelling art but also a powerful tourism promotion strategy. With Cat Ba chosen as the setting for Riot Games's TV series, the island now has the opportunity to emerge on the world tourism map in the same way New Zealand and Bali did before.
Cat Ba and its “golden” moment for breakthrough
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Foreign tourist enjoying the natural beauty of Cat Ba. (Photo: Hoang Anh) |
Riot Games' selection of Cat Ba as a filming location is not just a cinematic achievement but also marks a turning point in placing this island on the global tourism map.
In recent years, Cat Ba has repeatedly appeared in international media. In late 2024, CNN broadcast a 30-second promotional TVC about the archipelago, bringing images of its magnificent nature to millions of international viewers.
According to Agoda, Cat Ba ranked among the most searched destinations in Vietnam in early 2025, reflecting the growing interest from international tourists.
What makes Cat Ba attractive to international visitors largely comes from its uniquely beautiful natural landscape. Cat Ba Archipelago comprises nearly 400 big and small islands rising from the sea, creating an unparalleled picturesque scenery.
Among them, Lan Ha Bay possesses a poetic beauty with hundreds of limestone mountains embracing powdery white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, once praised by the American travel site Thrillist as Vietnam's most beautiful destination.
Beyond its natural scenery, Cat Ba holds important conservation titles. In 2023, UNESCO officially recognised Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago as a World Natural Heritage Site, elevating it to a global ecological icon.
This is Vietnam's first inter-provincial heritage site, acknowledging not only the archipelago's beauty but also its diverse ecosystem, including the rare Cat Ba langur, with fewer than 80 specimens remaining worldwide. For foreign tourists, these pristine yet not wild elements offer a special attraction.
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Cable car system is a green transportation method making Cat Ba increasingly accessible. (Photo: Huy Tuan) |
Tourism infrastructure has also been heavily invested in, making Cat Ba increasingly accessible. A three-wire cable car system crossing the sea reduces travel time from the mainland to just 15 minutes, while on the island, green transportation such as electric bus systems and electric buggies help visitors move in a convenient and environmentally friendly manner.
Furthermore, Cat Ba is aiming to become an international tourism-entertainment centre with the Green Island City Centre developed by Sun Group. A series of new experiences will be launched, notably including the world's largest Jetski fireworks show — "Symphony of the Green Island" — with an investment of nearly 200 billion VND, featuring world-leading extreme sports athletes.
Additionally, the VUI-Fest Bazaar will offer exceptional culinary and nighttime entertainment experiences, along with hundreds of stalls using eco-friendly materials.
The Sun Bavaria Cat Ba Gastro Pub restaurant serves all-day meals with Sun KraftBeer — an authentic German craft beer. The restaurant is also the ideal spot to admire fireworks from the “Symphony of the Green Island” show.
One unmissable highlight is the nearly 1km-long Cac Ba Beach, featuring a unique "coconut forest" on the island, opening to visitors from April 30th and promising to become an ideal natural experience.
Changing yet still maintaining its uniqueness from pristine natural beauty, upgrading tourism experiences to a new level, Cat Ba is ready to welcome waves of international and domestic tourists, becoming one of the most anticipated destinations in Vietnam in the coming period.
