Controversy has been raised after the image of the former tourism ambassador Ly Nha Ky was spotted next to the advertising boards promoting Vietnam.

The image of Ly Nha Ky at Cannes

The former tourism ambassador Ly Nha Ky provided HCM City and Vietnam Cinema Department with sponsored funding on USD1m to promote HCM City tourism at the Cannes Film Festival with three advertising hoardings placed in front of Majestic Barriere Hotel and the Palais des Festivals. 

A board promoting the Vietnamese cinema industry with an image of Son Doong Cave and two other boards promoting HCM City tourism were featured.

However, many people said they were confused after seeing the fourth board with the image of Ly Nha Ky with the phrase Ly Nha Ky-The New Voice of Vietnam. 

Later, the phrase was changed to only Ly Nha Ky-The New Voice. The board has the same size and design as the other advertising hoardings. 

Nguyen Thai Binh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said they didn't know about a fourth board and didn't assign Ly Nha Ky to go to Cannes as Vietnam's representative. 

"We’re checking the information. The samples didn't have Ly Nha Ky's advertising board. This is totally a personal work," he said.

The representative of Ly Nha Ky said Cannes Film Festival is a huge event that includes many promotional activities. 

Ky's board is a separate advertisement and not related to Vietnam's campaign. 

The phrase The New Voice of Vietnam was used because an American magazine decided to introduce Ky as Vietnam's new face. 

She was asked to keep the information secret before the Cannes Film Festival.

Ly Nha Ky is the head of Investment Trading Services Construction LYNK Co. Ltd. 

She has been a sponsor of the Cannes' Cinéfondation and said she wanted to contribute to Vietnam's tourism and cinema industry.

dtinews