HCMC – HCMC is seeking deeper cooperation with international broadcaster CNN to strengthen its urban branding efforts, promote the image of the expanded city following an administrative merger, and enhance its presence on the global media map.
Nguyen Manh Cuong, vice chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, met a CNN delegation led by Phil Nelson, CNN executive vice president, on May 29 to discuss potential cooperation in international communications and content production, according to the city’s official news portal.
During the meeting, city officials highlighted CNN’s global influence, particularly among investors, business leaders, and international travelers.
The city also acknowledged the positive impact of the 2024 program Quest’s World of Wonder, in which journalist Richard Quest explored and showcased various aspects of HCMC’s culture and attractions.
Cuong said following the merger with Binh Duong Province and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, the new HCMC covers more than 6,700 square kilometers and have a population exceeding 14 million people.
The city’s development space will expand to include urban centers, industrial zones, coastal ecosystems, and mangrove forests.
He believed that the expansion presents an opportunity to tell “new stories” about a diverse, dynamic, and globally integrated megacity. HCMC hopes to work with CNN on a series of programs that go beyond tourism promotion to highlight the city’s role as a regional hub for finance, trade, and innovation.
In addition to promoting culture and tourism, the city also aims to cooperate with CNN in communicating its investment environment and positioning HCMC as an emerging international financial services center in Southeast Asia.
Phil Nelson said that beyond its global media reach, CNN possesses strong capabilities in cinematic-style content production and has previously partnered with numerous countries to promote their national images. He said CNN is ready to work alongside HCMC to tell stories about its culture, people, and development journey.
City officials reaffirmed that they view CNN as a strategic communications partner in building the city’s brand and elevating its international profile during its next stage of development.
