A German politician with Vietnamese roots is stepping in front of the camera. Philipp Rösler, Germany's former Vice Chancellor, has signed on to star in 'Việt Nam: Beyond Words', a sweeping national image film backed by Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Việt Nam Department of Cinema.
Rösler won't be making a cameo. Director Lương Đình Dũng confirmed he will portray an actual historical figure, though the identity stays secret until release. The director praised his combination of intelligence and warmth, saying he has a face made for the big screen — and noted that Rösler had turned down earlier film offers before this project's message won him over.
Rösler's own story explains why the casting resonates. Born in Sóc Trăng in the Mekong Delta and adopted by a German couple as a baby in the final years of the war, he trained as a doctor before entering politics with the Free Democratic Party. In 2011, aged 38, he became Germany's Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister — the first person of Asian descent to hold the role. The film crew call his involvement a stroke of luck, arguing that someone who grew up in the West yet rose to one of Europe's top offices embodies the film's core idea: every Vietnamese person has a story to tell about their country.
The project itself is one of the most ambitious promotional films Vietnam has attempted. It will shoot across all 34 provinces and cities, plus the country's seas and islands, aiming to capture the landscapes, history and everyday spirit of the nation. Once finished, the footage is destined for cultural and diplomatic events at home and abroad, digital platforms, and a run through international film festivals in 2027.
For travellers, this is worth watching even if you never see the film. A production covering every province means expect fresh visual material — and probably plenty of location buzz — from lesser-known corners of Vietnam, not just the usual Ha Long Bay and Hoi An postcards. If your 2027 holiday planning overlaps with the festival circuit, keep an eye out for screenings. And if Rösler's story piques your interest, the Mekong Delta around Sóc Trăng makes an easy add-on to a southern Vietnam itinerary.
