When the “Land of dreams” story was first developed in late 2017, it was inspired by a dream shared by people of all ages – the dream to discover beautiful new lands. The initial idea was translated into the story of a young boy from a rural area who dreamt of venturing beyond his mountainous home to explore the wonders of new lands. We were very lucky to find the right character to to bring this dream to life. Perhaps the boy’s dream was so big that it made the story feel natural. The story revolves around a boy named A Phong from Hang village, in Lao Chai commune in the Sa Pa district.
This boy’s dream has replaced the prior farewell messages broadcast to millions of passengers on thousands of Vietnam Airlines’ flights since March 2018.
When we met A Phong again in December 2018 on a trip back to Sa Pa’s Lao Chai Primary School, we saw the excitement in his bright eyes upon receiving the gift of a model plane. His dream of flying moved and inspired us. Every day, every hour, Vietnam Airlines brings many people to distant lands. Could we possibly make this boy’s dream come true? If yes, that would be the starting point for the story to continue, the story of a young boy stepping beyond his mountainous home to reach new lands across Vietnam.
On that journey, A Phong brought excitement, astonishment, and overwhelming joy. We saw his wonder upon seeing a real plane on the runway for the first time, rather than just the model airplane in his hand; his excitement upon seeing clouds outside the plane’s window; his shy astonishment at the crowded streets in Hanoi; his enthusiasm for exploring the Old Quarter and enjoying the early sunshine of West Lake…
The beauty of the country through his eyes is both breathtaking and moving. (Photo: HRT).
The beauty of the country through his eyes is both breathtaking and moving, whether it is the cultural and spiritual values of traditional music in Hue – Hoi An; the vastness of Vietnam’s sea and the islands; the hospitality of people in Tay Ninh; or the dynamic lifestyle of Saigon. Such wonders, seen through the curious eyes of this boy, brought unexpected emotions.
The journey is not a dramatic story. There’s no climax or plot twist. It simply captivates the audience with its authenticity, bringing the beauty of destinations across the country to people who dream of exploring. This story of the realization of a dream to fly and the joy of a boy inspires all of us to dream big. If there is a will, dreams can come true.
Nguyen Thuy Anh – Heritage
