Rachael Leigh Cook
Amanda Riley
Overview
After an unexpected break up, a travel executive accepts an assignment to go undercover and learn about the tourist industry in Vietnam. Along the way, she finds adventure and romance with her Vietnamese expat tour guide and they decide to hijack the tour bus in order to explore life and love off the beaten path.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readLove, With a Side of Postcard
I’ll admit it: I went into A Tourist’s Guide to Love expecting a Hallmark movie in a different time zone. And in many ways, that’s exactly what it is. The plot is as predictable as a sunset in a travel brochure—Amanda, a heartbroken travel executive, jets off to Vietnam on a work assignment, falls for her charming tour guide, and rediscovers herself along the way.
The beats are so familiar they could be plotted on a spreadsheet: the meet-cute, the cultural misunderstanding, the third-act misunderstanding, the grand romantic gesture. But here’s the thing: sometimes, the formula works. Not because it’s groundbreaking, but because it’s comfortable.
Like slipping into a well-worn sweater—or, in this case, a pair of sandals on a warm Vietnamese beach.
The film’s greatest strength isn’t its story; it’s its setting. Vietnam isn’t just a backdrop here—it’s the co-star. Director Steven K.
Tsuchida and cinematographer Jon Keng turn the country into a living postcard, from the neon-lit chaos of Ho Chi Minh City to the misty, emerald hills of Ha Giang. The camera lingers on street food stalls sizzling with pho, on dragon boats gliding through Ha Long Bay, on the golden glow of lanterns in Hoi An. It’s the kind of travelogue that makes you want to book a flight immediately, even if you know the reality of tourism is often less idyllic than what’s on screen.
(I’m still thinking about the scene where Amanda and Sinh share a bowl of bánh mì on a motorbike—messy, intimate, and utterly transportive.)
That said, the film’s relationship with Vietnam is complicated. On one hand, it’s refreshing to see a U.S. production shot on location in the country, especially one that deliberately avoids the war-trauma narratives that have dominated Western portrayals of Vietnam for decades. Screenwriter Eirene Tran Donohue has spoken about wanting to showcase the country’s modernity and vibrancy, and in that, the film succeeds.
The Vietnam of A Tourist’s Guide to Love is alive, colorful, and full of joy—a far cry from the war-torn landscapes of Apocalypse Now or The Deer Hunter. But on the other hand, the film’s version of Vietnam is still very much a fantasy, tailored to Western audiences. The locals are either quirky side characters or love interests, and the country’s complexities are smoothed over in favor of Instagram-friendly aesthetics.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.2/10
"A lighthearted romantic comedy with charming leads but a formulaic plot that keeps it from standing out."
Viewers appreciate the chemistry between Rachael Leigh Cook and Scott Ly, finding their performances warm and engaging. The film’s vibrant depiction of Vietnam adds a fresh visual appeal, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of travel-themed romances. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the predictable storyline and lack of depth in supporting characters leave many wanting more originality and emotional resonance.
What viewers praise
- Charming lead chemistry Rachael Leigh Cook and Scott Ly’s on-screen rapport is widely praised for being endearing and believable.
- Beautiful setting The film’s portrayal of Vietnam is visually appealing and adds a unique backdrop to the romance.
- Lighthearted tone The movie’s breezy and feel-good atmosphere makes it an easy, enjoyable watch for fans of rom-coms.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The storyline follows familiar rom-com tropes, leaving little room for surprises or deeper emotional engagement.
- Underdeveloped supporting cast Side characters, including Missi Pyle and Ben Feldman, feel thinly written and lack memorable arcs.
- Lacks depth While pleasant, the film doesn’t explore its themes or characters with enough nuance to leave a lasting impression.
Recommended for
Rom-com enthusiasts Fans of travel-themed films Rachael Leigh Cook admirers Lighthearted movie nights Vietnam travel lovers
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Tourist’s Guide to Love: Netflix’s Rom-Com Gamble on Vietnam
Rachael Leigh Cook is no stranger to romantic comedies—her breakout role in She’s All That (1999) cemented her as a rom-com queen. But her latest project, A Tourist’s Guide to Love (2023), marks a fresh chapter, trading high school hallways for the bustling streets of Vietnam. Directed by Steven K. latestnetflix.com's read is that tsuchida, the Netflix film blends Cook’s signature charm with a vibrant international backdrop, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how Hollywood’s formulaic romance got a Southeast Asian makeover.
From TV Vet to Rom-Com Specialist
Steven K. Tsuchida, the film’s director, isn’t a household name, but his resume suggests a knack for lighthearted, location-driven stories. Before A Tourist’s Guide to Love, Tsuchida cut his teeth in television, directing episodes of sitcoms like Superstore and The Goldbergs 
. His 2021 Netflix rom-com Resort to Love—set in Mauritius—proved he could handle tropical escapism, and A Tourist’s Guide to Love doubles down on that formula. Critics have noted the film’s predictability, but Tsuchida’s strength lies in his ability to make even the most familiar tropes feel warm and watchable .
The director’s pivot to romantic comedies isn’t accidental. Tsuchida’s work often balances humor with heart, a skill that aligns perfectly with Netflix’s appetite for globally minded, bingeable content. A Tourist’s Guide to Love isn’t breaking new ground, but it doesn’t need to—Tsuchida’s focus on chemistry and scenery keeps the film afloat, even when the plot feels recycled .
Rachael Leigh Cook’s Return to Rom-Coms
For Cook, A Tourist’s Guide to Love is a return to the genre that made her a star. She plays Amanda Riley, a Los Angeles-based travel executive whose life takes an unexpected turn after a breakup. Tasked with going undercover to study Vietnam’s tourism industry, Amanda’s journey is equal parts professional assignment and personal awakening 
. Cook’s role taps into her strengths: playing relatable, slightly neurotic women navigating love and self-discovery.
The film’s supporting cast adds depth to the rom-com formula. Scott Ly, a Vietnamese-American actor, plays Sinh, Amanda’s love interest and a local tour guide. Their on-screen chemistry is a highlight, with critics praising the film’s ability to balance cultural authenticity with romantic fantasy . Meanwhile, Missi Pyle and Ben Feldman provide comic relief as Amanda’s quirky colleagues, rounding out the ensemble with their signature humor.
Andrew Barth Feldman’s Feature Film Debut
One of the film’s most intriguing behind-the-scenes stories is the inclusion of Andrew Barth Feldman, a Tony Award-winning Broadway actor making his feature film debut. Feldman, known for his role in Dear Evan Hansen, plays Amanda’s supportive best friend, Alex. His casting adds a layer of prestige to the project, even if his screen time is limited. For Feldman, A Tourist’s Guide to Love represents a rare foray into film, bridging the gap between stage and screen .
Vietnam as the Star
The real standout of A Tourist’s Guide to Love isn’t the plot—it’s the setting. Vietnam’s vibrant cities, lush landscapes, and rich culture serve as more than just a backdrop; they’re a central character in the film. From Hanoi’s bustling streets to the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay, the locations are so enticing that they almost overshadow the story’s clichés . For Netflix, the film is part of a broader strategy to appeal to global audiences, using exotic locales to differentiate its rom-coms from the usual New York or Los Angeles settings.
A Formula with Heart
At its core, A Tourist’s Guide to Love is pure rom-com formula. Amanda’s journey—from heartbreak to self-discovery, with a dash of cross-cultural romance—isn’t groundbreaking. But the film’s charm lies in its execution. Cook and Ly’s chemistry, Tsuchida’s light touch, and Vietnam’s visual appeal make it an easy watch, even if the plot feels familiar . For fans of the genre, that’s enough.
The film’s release on Netflix in April 2023 positioned it as a low-stakes, feel-good option for subscribers. While it may not have generated the same buzz as some of Netflix’s bigger rom-coms, it’s a solid addition to the streamer’s ever-growing library of escapist entertainment. And for Cook, it’s another reminder that her rom-com magic is still very much intact.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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