Riot Games selects Cat Ba Island as setting for new TV series

Riot Games – the "father" of League of Legends with 650 million global players, has recently made a surprising move: choosing Cat Ba, Vietnam as the film setting for a nine-episode television series based on League of Legends and the online animated film of the same name. The episodes will be widely screened on platforms such as Netflix and HBO.

According to Rose Lam, global production director at Riot Studios, her team surveyed multiple countries in the region, including Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, but ultimately found that Vietnam best matched their creative vision. While this isn’t the first time Vietnam has caught the attention of international filmmakers, being chosen over established film powerhouses like Japan and South Korea is truly a source of pride.

Cat Ba has earned high praise from Hollywood filmmakers

Anyone who has set foot on Cat Ba will immediately understand why the island has become a popular choice for Hollywood filmmakers.

Cat Ba possesses spectacular scenery, blending primeval forests, blue seas, and a mysterious cave system. Recognised by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, the archipelago has more than 360 islands, forming a limestone maze in the open sea, with pristine beaches, majestic cliffs, and a rare diverse ecosystem.

More importantly, Cat Ba possesses a beauty that is both wild and mythical – perfectly aligning with the spirit of Runeterra, the world of League of Legends. Its vast natural scenery, towering cliffs embracing secluded sandy shores, hidden caves, and pristine turquoise waters were key factors in helping Cat Ba outshine other candidates to become the setting for the series.

The power of cinema in boosting tourism

In recent years, international visitor numbers to Cat Ba have grown significantly. In 2024, the island welcomed over a million international tourists – an increase of 90.5 per cent compared to the previous year. In just the first two months of 2025, Cat Ba received over 280,000 tourists, with nearly 180,000 international visitors.

Total revenue from tourism services is estimated at VND257 billion ($10 million). Becoming the backdrop for a major Hollywood series will undoubtedly propel these figures even higher in the coming years.

Queenstown (New Zealand), the setting for The Lord of the Rings

New Zealand became a pilgrimage site for The Lord of the Rings fans, while Croatia has experienced a tourism boom after becoming the setting for Game of Thrones. In Asia, Japan has leveraged the appeal of cinema to attract visitors to locations like Kyoto and Nara, thanks to films such as Memoirs of a Geisha and Lost in Translation. South Korea also made a mark with Squid Games, turning previously lesser-known areas like Ssangmun-dong (Seoul) into famous check-in spots.

Vietnam has hosted several international film productions in the past, but for a major entertainment brand like Riot Games to "bet" on Cat Ba is truly a groundbreaking moment. If the series achieves the expected success, not only Cat Ba but also Vietnam’s tourism industry as a whole will gain significant momentum on the global tourism map.

While already an attractive destination, Cat Ba is still in the process of evolving into an international tourism hub. To accommodate the growing wave of visitors, particularly international tourists, significant investments are being made in its hospitality and tourism services. These efforts focus not only on expanding infrastructure but also on enhancing high-end experiences, comfort, and environmental sustainability.

World-class accommodation and tourism services are being developed for Cat Ba to become an international tourism centre

At Green Island Central Bay City – the first project developed by Sun Group in Cat Ba, from summer 2025, there will be the launch of an unprecedented chain of international-standard entertainment and culinary experiences. The nighttime entertainment highlight will be the world's largest jet ski team combined with fireworks show - "Symphony of the Green Island" - with a total investment of nearly VND200 billion ($7.85 million); VUI-Fest Night Market - a green market model with hundreds of stalls using entirely environmentally friendly materials; and Sun Bavaria Cat Ba Gastro Pub serving all-day meals with craft beer to German standards, an ideal location to watch the fireworks.

During the day is the green space of Cat Ba beach, nearly 1km long, the largest on the island. The central bay area is also pioneering in green living with a non-emission internal transportation system, including electric buses, electric buggies, charging stations, and car parks, helping tourists move easily while protecting the island's unique ecosystem.

The arrival of Riot Games will promote Cat Ba on a global scale but also opens doors for future film productions. In the future, it is highly likely that more major studios will choose this location for their cinematic projects, further accelerating the growth of Cat Ba’s tourism industry.

Cat Ba island, the 'pearl' of the north for tourists With 367 islands, more than 300 beaches, and a diverse and rich ecosystem, Cat Ba archipelago in Cat Hai district, Hai Phong city, is an attractive destination to both domestic and foreign tourists all year round.

Ha Long Bay-Cat Ba Archipelago recognised as world heritage Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago in the northern province of Quang Ninh province and neighbouring Hai Phong city has been officially recognised as a world natural heritage sites.

Cat Ba launches construction of green tourism project Phu Quoc Civil Construction Limited Liability Company held a ceremony on August 16 to commence construction of the Cat Ba Central Bay tourism and commercial service project, with a total investment of over $500 million.