The crew of ‘Kong: Skull Island’ arrived at Yen Phu Lake in the north-central province of Quang Binh on Monday afternoon to begin shooting the first takes of the film.

The lake is the backdrop for a scene in which a pilot is seriously injured after his helicopter crash-lands onto the island.

The crew of 150 people had landed at Dong Hoi airport in Quang Binh at 9:40 am earlier the same day.

They were welcomed by hundreds of reporters and locals who had been waiting for their arrival with bouquets of flowers and hand-held signs reading ‘Welcome Titan to Quang Binh.’

Titan is the codename assigned to the film aimed at keeping its identity a secret during prior negotiations with local authorities.

Local officials hold signs saying ‘Welcome Titan to Quang Binh’ at Dong Hoi airport in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, February 22, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Lead actors Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson were given the most attention by the welcome party, and greeted fans with bright smiles and friendly handshakes.

Brie Larson smiles at fans after arriving at Dong Hoi airport in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, February 22, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The crew took off shortly after their arrival, boarding vans to Phong Nha, a town in Quang Binh and home to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Phong Nha is known for its primitive landscapes and cave systems, and previously welcomed the crew of another Hollywood movie, Pan.

Three vans carry members of the film crew straight from Dong Hoi airport in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, February 22, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The newly surfaced path leading to the film's sets in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, February 22, 2016. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The crew’s camp site near the sets in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A close-up view of the camp site in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The stream in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam where the crew is expected to film scenes from ‘Kong: Skull Island.’ Photo: Tuoi Tre

All hotels in Phong Nha have been fully booked since late last year and will house the crew during their stay for the shoot.

The principal cast including Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson are staying in two separate resorts 8km away from the town center.

Many hotels and restaurants in the town have put up ‘Welcome Titan to Phong Nha’ banners in an effort embrace the crew.

A welcome banner hung at the front of a tourism center in Phong Nha, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The crew is scheduled to shoot at Yen Phu Lake on February 23.

The shooting in Quang Binh is expected to continue until March 27.

‘Kong: Skull Island’ tells the story of a group of adventurers who set foot on an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean – one so breathtaking that people cannot believe it is real. Little do they know that they have just walked into the territory of the legendary King Kong.

The film, produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, is expected to hit cinemas in March 2017.

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