Vietnam 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 Vietnam? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.
Filming in Vietnam
For an introduction to shooting in Vietnam 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.
Vietnam Film Locations
Vietnam is a vibrant, colourful country known for its bustling cities, sleepy villages, floating markets, beautiful white sand beaches, coral reefs, mountain rainforests, waterfalls, red and white sand desert looks, pristine countryside, French colonial architecture, and ancient ruins.
Agricultural film locations include rice paddies, coffee plantations, and shrimp farms. Industrial locations include factories that produce electronics, textiles, and automobiles. Vietnam has coal, bauxite, gold, iron ore, tin, and zinc mines, as well as oil facilities. Energy locations include coal-fired power plants, hydroelectric dams, solar, and wind power facilities.
Vietnam has hosted films such as Da 5 Bloods (2020), The Amazing Race 31 (2019), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Amazing Race 29 (2017), The Amazing Race 22 (2013), The Amazing Race 15 (2009), The Amazing Race 10 (2006), The Quiet American (2002), The Amazing Race 3 (2002), Cyclo (1995), Heaven & Earth (1993), and Indochine (1992).
Film locations can be divided into the following regions:
Northern Vietnam
This region includes the provinces of Điện Biên, Hòa Bình, Lai Châu, Lào Cai, Sơn La, Yên Bái, Bắc Giang, Bắc Kạn, Cao Bằng, Hà Giang, Lạng Sơn, Phú Thọ, Quảng Ninh, Thái Nguyên, Tuyên Quang, Bắc Ninh, Hà Nam, Hà Nội, Hải Dương, Hải Phòng, Hưng Yên, Nam Định, Ninh Bình, Thái Bình, and Vĩnh Phúc.
Hanoi is the administrative and cultural capital with Southeast Asian, Chinese and French influences. Film locations of interest include the One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, Opera House, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Vietnam Military History Museum, and Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the Hanoi Hilton). Train Street is an interesting filming location where a train that passes inches from homes in Hanoi’s busy Old Quarter.
Halong Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone rainforest islands. Life (2017) filmed in Halong Bay.
Sa Pa is a town in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains. Hill tribes, such as the Hmong, Tay and Dao, make up much of the town’s local population. The area is known for the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley. Hoàng Liên National Park is home to many native animal species.
Tam Cốc-Bích Động in the Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex is a magnificent river location surrounded by rice fields and limestone towers. Ninh Bình is the closest city.
The Mù Cang Chải District is also known for its picturesque rice terraces.
The Moc Chau Tea Plantations are beautiful film locations.
Hoang A Tuong Palace is an impressive location in this region.
Cát Bà Island is known for its floating villages.
Ban Gioc Detian Falls is a spectacular waterfall location.
Bái Đính Temple is a Buddhist temple on Bai Dinh Mountain.
Central Vietnam
This region includes the provinces of Hà Tĩnh, Nghệ An, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thanh Hóa, Thừa Thiên–Huế, Bình Định, Bình Thuận, Đà Nẵng, Khánh Hòa, Ninh Thuận, Phú Yên, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Lâm Đồng.
Hội An has a well-preserved Ancient Town with wooden Chinese shophouses and temples, colourful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses, and an iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and pagoda.
The imperial city of Hué is famous for the Đại Nội Citadel. Just outside of Huế you can find the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh, and the abandoned water park of Hồ Thuỷ Tiên.
Da Nang is a coastal city known for its beautiful white sand surf beaches, and the fire breathing Dragon Bridge. The Marble Mountains are a cluster of five marble and limestone hills surrounded by houses, known for their Buddhist caves including a hell cave. Just outside of Da Nang you can find the Bà Nà Hills, a resort that looks like a strange mix of a Disney theme park, French ski resort, and a Buddhist mountain retreat. The resort’s best known attraction is the Golden Bridge which is held up by giant hands.
Son Doong Cave and Phong Nha Cave are spectacular cave locations.
Buon Ma Thuot is the heart of Vietnam’s coffee industry.
Ke Bang National Park is known for its caves, rivers, and waterfalls.
Ponagar Tower is a Hindu temple in Nha Trang.
Bạch Mã National Park is a beautiful jungle film location.
Datanla Waterfall is another interesting location in central Vietnam.
Côn Đảo Prison is located on a remote island.
Southern Vietnam
This region includes the provinces of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu, Bình Dương, Bình Phước, Đồng Nai, Saigon, Tây Ninh, An Giang, Bến Tre, Bạc Liêu, Cà Mau, Cần Thơ, Đồng Tháp, Hậu Giang, Kiên Giang, Long An, Sóc Trăng, Tiền Giang, Trà Vinh, and Vĩnh Long.
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is Vietnam’s business capital. The city is known for its French colonial landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral, made entirely of materials imported from France, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, and the Saigon Central Post Office. Landmark 81 is an impressive modern building. Food stalls line the city’s streets, especially around bustling Bến Thành Market. Other locations of note include the Independence Palace, War Remnants Museum, Vietnam History Museum, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda.
The tunnels of Củ Chi were famously used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.
Vinpearl Grand World Phu Quoc is located in Phu Quoc.
The Mekong Delta is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands, home to floating markets, Khmer pagodas and villages surrounded by rice paddies.
Phú Quốc island and Nam Du island are known for their beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
The red and white sand dunes of Mũi Né offer interesting desert dune looks.
Tràm Chim National Park is home to several rare birds including the sarus crane.
Vietnam Film Location Permits
A Vietnamese Film Permit is required to shoot in Vietnam. To apply for film permits, our Vietnamese service producer / fixer will require a project synopsis, final list of locations, visiting crew and talent information, complete schedule and script (if applicable). Permits can take up to 10 business days to process. Additional location permits may be required for filming in national parks, historic sites, public infrastructure or with drones. Please contact us for location specific information. Note, the government may assign an on-set Press Officer to your production.
When To Shoot?
The climate in Vietnam varies greatly from north to south. Highland and northern areas tend to have cooler conditions. Tropical monsoon rains occur from October to April in the centre, and from May to September in the north and south of the country.
Given the complexity of the local climate, there is no one particular time that is perfect for filming. December to February are the driest and coolest months if looking to film all of Vietnam. April and May are the hottest months in the south and an ideal time to film on the beaches and in the highlands. June and July are the warmest in the north, making that a good time to film the mountains.
For monthly weather statistics please see here.
Vietnam is home to many interesting festivals and events throughout the year. Most are based on the lunar calendar, so dates change each year. The Hội An Lantern Festival is a colourful experience during Tết (Vietnamese New Year), which takes place in January or February. Otherwise, Vietnam shuts down for Tết, so it is best to avoid filming for a two week period around this holiday as most crews return home to families and government offices close. Other festivals and events of interest to filmmakers and photographers include the Lim Festival, Hung Temple Festival, Whale Festival, Tet Trung Thu, and the Oc Om Boc Festival.
Most Vietnamese are non-religious. A minority practise Buddhism, and Christianity so those holidays may be practised.
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Vietnam.
Unique Local Stories
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. On the whole Vietnam is a cost efficient place to shoot. Our Vietnamese fixer / service producer 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 Vietnam.
Film Crew & Talent
Crews. Vietnam has a small but good pool of local directors, directors of photography and stills photographers, with both Vietnamese and expat options available. Supporting crews are hard working and quickly gaining experience in servicing visiting productions. Key crew is best brought in from abroad. Vietnam’s close proximity to Bangkok and Hong Kong allows easy access to those crews should you ever need to look further.
Contact us if you are looking for a Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi based 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 Vietnam.
Talent is non-union and buyouts are negotiable.
Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups of which the Viet (Kinh) is the largest. Minority groups include the Tay, Tai, Mường, Hmong, Khmer, Nùng, Dao, and Hoa people. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad.
Vietnam Film Equipment
Equipment. All the standard camera, grip and lighting equipment is available locally including some aerial photography gear. More specialized equipment needs to be brought in from abroad. Vietnam is not an ATA Carnet member country.
Communication. Some websites are blocked from access. Fast internet is available in the cities.
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 beyond traditional Vietnamese looks is very basic. Set construction crews are skilled, hard working and inexpensive.
Studios and backlots. None exist at present.
Post Production. Some basic facilities exist. Bangkok is the closest production center with a lab and sophisticated post facilities.
Visas & Work Permits
Some Western nationals are required to apply for a visa prior to travel. Others can enter visa-free or via the e-Visa program. Journalists are required to apply for a PV2 visa. For visiting film crews, once the above mentioned Vietnamese Film Permit is approved (see Location Permits section for application information), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will request that the Immigration Department grant visas to each crew member. Our local fixer / service producer will send you a scanned copy of this document which you will need to present upon entry to Vietnam to obtain your visa on arrival. Note, on departing Vietnam, footage may be examined at customs, so make sure to allow extra time for this, just in case.
Transport & Accommodation
Transportation Infrastructure. Road quality varies considerably. Major roads are of a good standard. Most other roads are slower going particularly during the monsoon season. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have heavy traffic congestion. Several international airlines service flights to Vietnam.
Accommodation. Recommended film friendly hotels in Vietnam include:
Hanoi:
InterContinental Hanoi
Oriental Central Hotel
Hanoi Elegance Ruby
Ho Chi Minh City:
Park Hyatt Saigon
InterContinental Saigon
Hotel Nikko Saigon
Please contact us for corporate rates.
For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.
Final Notes
Safety. See here for up to date travel advice.
Down Time. Phở.
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 Vietnam, please see below:
Hire Vietnam Production Support & Shooting Crew
If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Vietnam, please contact us.
If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Vietnam, 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.
