Laos Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews
Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Laos? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Laos
For an introduction to shooting in Laos see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.
Laos Film Locations
Laos is a landlocked Southeast Asian country known for its beautiful tropical landscapes of mountains, rivers, caves, hot springs, waterfalls, and lush jungles. Scenes of particular interest to filmmakers and photographers include saffron-robed monks moving about Buddhist temples, colourful animist hill tribes, farmers working in rice paddies and poppy fields, buffaloes crossing the mighty Mekong River, bustling street markets, and French colonial architecture.
Agricultural film locations include plantations of rice, timber, cassava, sugarcane, bananas, corn, watermelons, coffee, taro, sweet potatoes, tobacco, peanuts, oranges, pineapples, papaya, tea, and opium poppies. Laos mines copper, tin, gold, and gypsum. Energy locations include hydroelectric dams.
The Amazing Race 31 (2019) filmed in Laos.
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Central Laos
This region includes Vientiane Prefecture, and the provinces of Vientiane, Xaisomboun, Xiangkhouang, Houaphanh, Bolikhamxai, and Khammouane.
Vientiane is Lao’s capital and largest city. It’s best known for its French colonial architecture, sprawling local markets, and temples. Film locations of note include Patuxai war monument, Lao National Museum, Lao People’s Army History Museum, golden stupa of Pha That Luang, That Dam Stupa, Wat Si Saket, Wat Si Muang, Wat Mixai, Wat Ong Teu, Wat That Khao, Hophakaew Museum, and Presidential Palace. Xieng Khuan is a Buddha sculpture park located just outside of the city. Vientiane is a great location for food and cooking shows.
Vang Vieng is a beautiful town with an interesting night market, surrounded by limestone mountains and caves.
The Plain of the Jars is a fascinating archaeological site.
Wat Phia Wat is a ruined temple with a giant Buddha.
Wat Pha That Sikhottabong is a Buddhist temple in Thakhek.
Muang Kham hot springs are a beautiful film location.
Tham Kong Lo in Phu Hin Bun National Park is a spectacular cave.
Xe Bang Fai River Cave is located in Hin Namno National Park.
Phou Khao Khouay National Biodiversity Conservation Area is home to wild elephants, sun bears, clouded leopards, and Asiatic black bears.
Phou Hin Poun National Biodiversity Conservation Area is also located in this area.
Kaeng Nyui Waterfall is a beautiful film location.
Phou Bia is the country’s highest peak.
Northern Laos
This region includes the provinces of Sainyabuli, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Namtha, and Phongsaly.
Surrounded by lush jungle mountains, Luang Prabang is a picturesque town on the banks of the Mekong and Khan rivers. It is known for its Buddhist temples, and traditional Lao wooden houses. Film locations of note include the Royal Palace of Luang Prabang, Night Market, Mt Phou Si, Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, Wat Nong Sikhounmuang, Wat Wisunarat, Wat Aham, Wat Manorom, Wat Xieng Mouane, Wat Pa Phon Phao, and Wat Xiengthong. Just outside of Luang Prabang, you can find Kuang Si Waterfalls, Tat Sae Waterfalls, Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, Kuang Si Butterfly Park, and Manifa Elephant Camp.
Nam Ha National Protected Area is home to elephants, tigers, guar, and a diversity of birdlife.
The Bokeo Nature Reserve is known for its Gibbon Experience.
Pak Ou Caves overlook the Mekong River.
The caves of Vieng Xay in far northwestern Laos is a fascinating underground bunker system used by the Pathet Lao.
Nong Khiaw is a relaxing riverside town surrounded by picturesque villages, towering karst formations, and limestone caves.
Southern Laos
This region includes the provinces of Savannakhet, Salavan, Sekong, Champasak, and Attapeu.
The Mekong River is famed for the Thousand Islands and rare wildlife such as the Irrawaddy Dolphin.
Dong Natad National Protected Area, Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area, and Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area are located in this region.
Wat Phou is a Khmer Hindu temple ruin in Champasak Province.
Tad Yuang Waterfall, Pha Suam Waterfall, and Somphamit Waterfalls are located in this area.
Tham Khoun tam Xe Cave is a famous cave location.
Pakse, the second largest city, is known for Wat Phou Salao, Wat Luang, and Champasak Palace Hotel.
Treetop Explorer has a high elevation zip line that lets you fly over Tad Fane waterfall.
Khone Phapheng Falls are located in this region.
Laos Film Location Permits
The permitting system can be a moving target. Depending on the specifics of the shoot the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and / or the Ministry of Information and Culture Mass Media Department will need to be contacted by the fixer to seek a film permit. Visiting crews will need to provide a project synopsis, crew information, travel plans, and imported equipment list. Allow at least 2 weeks to process. For more complicated shoots, such as those involving politically sensitive subjects, permitting times can be 2 months or longer.
Please contact us with project specific information and our local fixer in Laos will get back to you with advice on best next steps.
When To Shoot?
The climate is hot and tropical. The rainy season, when temperatures are at their highest, runs from May to October. This is a great time to film bright green colours although it’s also the most difficult time to travel given that some roads become a slow-going mess of slick red clay. Mid to late October is the best time to film rice fields when the rains have stopped but the rice fields haven’t yet been fully harvested. The warm, dry season runs from November to April. This is the best time to shoot for weather. For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Laos has several colourful festivals and events of note:
• Lao New Year (Songkran) in April.
• Boun Khao Padabdin dragon boat races on the Nam Khan River in September.
• Boat Races on the Mekong River in Vientiane in October.
• Naga Fireballs (Mekong Lights) in October.
• Tat Luang Festival in Vientiane in November.
• Hmong New Year in December.
Buddhism and Tai folk animism are widely practised, so those holidays are observed.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Laos.
Unique Local Stories
Did you know?
• Laos was the most heavily bombed nation in history.
• Laos is a popular location for off-road motorbike journeys.
Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.
If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.
If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.
Costs & Tax Incentives
Costs. Locations, local talent and support crew are inexpensive but since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. This can add considerably to the cost of shooting. Our Lao fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.
Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Laos.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Laos has a very small pool of directors, videographers and stills photographers. Key crew should be brought in from abroad.
Contact us if you are looking for a director, DP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, or any other film crew for your shoot in Laos.
Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.
Lao is the official language.
Laos has over over 160 ethnic groups with the Lao being the largest group. Other groups of note include the Khmu, Hmong, Phouthai, Tai, Makong, Katang, Lue, and Akha people. Laos also has a sizeable pool of foreign tourists that can be cast if required for background roles. All other talent looks need to be cast abroad.
Laos Film Equipment
Equipment. Some basic camera, grip and lighting equipment is available in Vientiane. Most crews bring in their equipment from abroad. Bangkok is the closest major production centre that carries both standard and more specialised gear.
Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.
Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.
For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.
Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production
Art department and set construction is very basic. Tha Bak Bomb Boats are unique boats made from recycled bomber fuel tanks from the Vietnam War.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Post abroad.
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Crews travelling on Western passports can obtain visas on arrival for stays of up to 30 days. Contact your local Lao embassy or representative for more information.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are up to international standards. Our Lao fixer organises safe and reliable 4WD transport. Travelling by road at night is not recommended. Off-road travel in some areas is not advised due to the large number of unexploded bombs dating back to the Vietnam War period. Several international airlines service flights to Laos.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Laos include:
Vientiane:
Green Park Boutique Hotel
Ansara Hotel
Salana Boutique Hotel
Luang Prabang:
3 Nagas
La Residence Phou Vao
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. On the whole Laos is very safe for foreigners to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Laos might just have the world’s friendliest people. Order some larb and a Beerlao and hang out with the locals.
Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Laos, please see below:
Hire Laos Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Laos, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Laos, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.
We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.
