Steven K. Tsuchida and Eirene Tran Donohue’s romantic comedy A Tourist’s Guide to Love was released in 2023. Starring in it are Nondumiso Tembe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Scott Ly, Missi Pyle, Ben Feldman, and Andrew Barth Feldman.
It was shot on location in Vietnam in April 2022, and on April 21, 2023, it was made available on Netflix.
Plot
After her five-year relationship with John ends suddenly, Amanda Riley, a travel industry professional for Tourista, embarks on a covert mission to learn more about Vietnam’s tourism industry. Her supervisor Mona persuades her to get a manicure in anticipation of a proposal, but instead he suggests a break to accept a job in Ohio.
Sinh, the tour guide for Saigon Silver Star, and his cousin Anh, the owner’s daughter, meet Amanda at the Vietnamese airport. She meets the other tourists on package tours in the evening. Amanda suggests that, as a type of game, they keep their occupations a secret in order to keep her motivation for the trip a secret.
Mona has provided Amanda with a ton of information and suggested itineraries, but Sinh consistently refuses them. She must obey his instructions, he insists. By attempting to barter, trying new foods, and learning to cross a busy street without a crosswalk, Amanda begins to step outside of her comfort zone.
Sinh thinks Amanda undersells herself and advises them to be flexible and see where the day takes them rather than trying to stick to a strict schedule. He respects spontaneity and acting on the spur of the moment. Sinh does some magic at a temple to allow their company to witness the lion dance’s preparations for the Vietnamese holiday Tt.
The group visits a seamstress to have clothing created for them because it is traditional to dress in something brand new and colorful on T’t in order to attract luck and wealth. Sinh leads Amanda to a narrow street lined with colorful paper lanterns where he opens up while the others relax before dinner. He had grown up in the US but had returned after college. Sinh had initially worked at his father’s restaurant, but after assisting his uncle and finding his purpose, he transitioned to becoming a tour guide.
Sinh and Amanda are having a great time by the water until they test out a round boat and end up falling in. Soon after, Anh brings the terrible news that it will take hours to obtain tickets for the Golden Hand Bridge, prompting Sinh to improvise once more. They visit the Hindu ruins of the My Son Sanctuary, which date back over a thousand years.
A Tourist’s Guide to Love (Official Trailer)
Cast
Rachael Leigh Cook as Amanda Riley
Scott Ly as Sinh Thach
Ben Feldman as John
Missi Pyle as Mona
Glynn Sweet as Brian Conway
Alexa Povah as Maya Conway
Jacqueline Correa as Sam Gonville
Nondumiso Tembe as Dom Fisher
Morgan Lynee Dudley as Robin
Andrew Barth Feldman as Alex
Quinn Trúc Trần as Anh
Nsưt Lê Thiện as Ba Noi
Anh Dào as Auntie Diem
