Open-air cinema in Vietnam and Laos

Open-air cinema in Vietnam and Laos remains a discreet phenomenon, often unknown to Western travelers.

🎬 Vietnam: an awakening outdoor culture

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City host a few open-air screenings organized by cultural associations and cinephiles. These events are generally free and take place in public spaces: squares, rooftop terraces, university courtyards. Hanoi occasionally offers open-air cycles near Hoan Kiem Lake, but without fixed programming, depending on the organizers' willingness.

🏛️ Laos: Luang Prabang, capital of night cinema

In Laos, it is the city of Luang Prabang that stands out. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it hosts the Blue Chair Film Festival (formerly Luang Prabang Film Festival) every other year since 2020 in early December, screening Southeast Asian films in schoolyards, gardens, and hotels in the historic center. All screenings are free, organized by the festival association with the Cinema Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

In the night markets of Luang Prabang and Vientiane, you can also find improvised screens, but these are more advertising screens than genuine cinematic events.

📍 What to know before leaving

• Free access — Events in Luang Prabang are generally free or pay-what-you-want. In Vietnam, screenings vary.
• Organizers — In Laos: the festival association, the Cinema Department, partner hotels, and NGOs. In Vietnam: community cinemas, French Institutes, cultural bars.
• When to go — The dry season (November-April) is the best time, especially in Luang Prabang.

Conclusion

Open-air cinema at historical sites remains rare and poorly structured in Vietnam. In Laos, however, Luang Prabang offers a unique, free experience anchored in a remarkable heritage setting. If you are a film lover and traveler, this destination is worth the detour.

Want to organize an open-air screening? Call us at +33 4 58 21 20 10 or discover our inflatable screens on our dedicated page.