STORY: "Ne Zha 2" becomes cross-border hit, captivating Vietnamese audiences
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: March 2, 2025
LENGTH: 00:00:48
LOCATION: KUNMING, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of "Ne Zha 2"
2. various of Hekou, southwest China's Yunnan
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHAO TA MAY, Vietnamese moviegoer
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DANG THI HONG, Chinese language student from Vietnam
5. various of cinemas

STORYLINE:

The Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has stormed into the 7th place on the all-time global box office chart, captivating audiences worldwide. 

It also sparked an unexpected cultural phenomenon along the China-Vietnam border. Since its release, many Vietnamese moviegoers have flocked to cinemas in Hekou County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, contributing to a unique cross-border cultural exchange and boosting local tourism. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHAO TA MAY, Vietnamese moviegoer
"I watched 'Ne Zha 2' here in Hekou during the Spring Festival, and now that it's set for premiere in Vietnam soon, I want to watch it again with my family."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DANG THI HONG, Chinese language student from Vietnam
"The traditional Chinese cultural elements in the film were utterly captivating. I've already started anticipating 'Ne Zha 3.' I truly hope this brilliant movie can reach more Vietnamese friends."

According to Hekou County authorities, Vietnamese viewers now account for approximately 5 percent of the film's audience in the region.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming, China.
(XHTV)