Filming in Vietnam in 2025 combines artistic curiosity and methodical organization: spectacular landscapes, lively markets, ancestral villages, and bright coastlines offer an exceptional visual palette, but accessing these settings requires knowledge of local rules. This practical guide provides concrete tips to prepare your team, obtain the necessary permissions, manage equipment customs clearance, and capture the beauty of the country with respect and efficiency. It addresses both independent filmmakers and international production teams seeking unique angles.
Through clear steps — from applying for permits to choosing camera objectives, passing through drone flight rules and the best seasons for each region — this text aims to reduce unexpected issues and maximize video quality. A few examples of iconic locations and logistical tips will help transform a shooting project into a productive and inspiring journey.
- Permission: request a shooting permit and an appropriate visa before departure.
- Equipment: prepare the equipment list for customs clearance and plan backup solutions.
- Drones: obtain specific permission and plan flight zones.
- Best periods: prioritize November-April for most outdoor settings.
- Cultural respect: ask for consent before filming people or religious sites.
Understanding why to film in Vietnam: landscapes, light, and challenges
Vietnam offers an unmatched diversity of landscapes: terraced rice fields, misty mountains, monumental caves, mangroves, and turquoise coastlines. These settings provide a rich narrative for any video project, from music clips to feature films.
Capturing the beauty of the country, however, requires consideration of concrete challenges: seasons, site accessibility, regulatory constraints, and cultural sensitivity. A realistic shooting plan anticipates these parameters to avoid wasted time and unforeseen costs.
Insight: the best image arises from the dialogue between logistical preparation and creative intuition.
Permits, visas, and administrative steps for filming in Vietnam
Before leaving, it is essential to obtain a shooting permit. Depending on the nature of the project, two ministries are responsible: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) for documentaries and clips, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST) for fictional films.
What needs to be provided and timeframes
The application includes a form, the synopsis, a day-by-day shooting plan, a detailed list of locations, copies of passports, and an equipment inventory. Processing usually takes between 7 and 20 working days, but it is wise to start the procedure at least three weeks before arrival.
For practical and French-speaking support, Tonkin Voyage offers comprehensive assistance for permits, customs clearance, and local coordination.
Visa and accepted types
Teams often need to obtain a press visa (PS1/PS2) linked to the permit. Authorities require coordination between the MoFA and the Immigration Department. For short scouting trips, French nationals can benefit from a 45-day visa exemption; beyond this, an e-visa or a journalist visa is necessary.
Practical tip: entrusting procedures to a local partner reduces risks of errors and speeds up the acquisition of approval letters.
| Type of authorization | Responsible ministry | Average timeframe | Key documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documentary / clip | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) | 7–20 days | Synopsis, shooting plan, passports, equipment list |
| Fiction film | Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST) | 10–20 days | Script, budgets, detailed locations, equipment list |
| Drone (flight) | Ministry of National Defense | ~10 days | GPS coordinates, dates, and flight purpose |
Insight: integrating the timeline of administrative procedures into the creative schedule avoids production delays.
Customs clearance, drone, and material logistics
Temporarily importing cameras and lighting requires a customs clearance procedure. A Film Officer and a local fixer facilitate the operation upon arrival and coordination with customs.
The customs clearance starts with sending the equipment list in advance to the Film Officer, who informs the airport and reduces the risk of blockage upon arrival.
Rules and permissions for drones
The use of a drone is strictly regulated. An application must be submitted to the Ministry of Defense with exact GPS coordinates, dates, and the purpose of the flight. The average timeframe is approximately 10 working days.
Even for amateur filming, official permission is required: air safety is treated with great rigor in Vietnam.
Insight: planning drone flights in advance will prevent you from missing the best morning lights.
Transportation and mobility to reach filming locations
Traveling in Vietnam requires adjusting the vehicle to the terrain: SUVs and minibuses for the mountains, boats for Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta, trains for picturesque railway shots. Renting a car with a local driver is often the most effective solution to meet tight shooting schedules.
To film the city without a drone, double-decker sightseeing buses can offer interesting perspectives, especially in Hanoi. Cruises in Halong Bay or Mekong boats allow for spectacular aquatic sequences.
A local partner like Hanoi Voyage can help organize trips, scouting, and tailor-made logistical solutions.
Insight: choosing the right means of transport can turn a tedious journey into an opportunity for a sequence shot.
Choosing locations: North, Central, South — where to film according to the desired ambiance
The choice of location depends on the desired atmosphere: nostalgia and heritage, wild nature, or urban energy. Here are some anchor points to envision your shots.
North — mountains, rice fields, and caves
Sapa, Ha Giang, and Ninh Binh offer panoramas for poetic shots. The cave of Son Doong or the terrestrial Halong Bay in Ninh Binh are perfect settings for contemplative or adventure scenes.
Insight: plan for morning light in the rice fields; the mist creates an irreplaceable depth.
Central — imperial heritage and photogenic cities
Hoi An, Hue, and Da Nang offer very distinct architectures and atmospheres: lanterns, imperial cities, and modern bridges lend themselves to rich contrasting color palettes.
To inspire the itinerary, consult suggested spots and photo circuits compiled by local guides.
Insight: night scenes in Hoi An require a tripod and precise ISO management to preserve the colors.
South — metropolises, beaches, and delta
Ho Chi Minh City offers an urban pace ideal for contemporary storytelling, while Phu Quoc and Nha Trang are suitable for beach sequences. The Mekong Delta is a goldmine for river life shots and floating markets.
Insight: anticipating market hours (often early in the morning) optimizes the capture of lively and authentic images.
Equipment, camera settings, and capture tips to enhance landscapes
To film Vietnamese landscapes, favor a versatile setup: wide-angle for panoramas, telephoto zoom for wildlife and discreet portraits, mechanical stabilization or gimbal for tracking shots.
- Camera: hybrid or cinema depending on the budget; full-frame sensor for light management.
- Objectives: 16–35mm for landscapes, 24–70mm for run-and-gun, 70–200mm for wildlife.
- Audio: lav mics and boom for interviews and local ambiance.
- Power supply: several batteries and a portable charger; provide adapters for local plugs.
- Backup: daily backup workflow on SSD and cloud whenever possible.
Insight: the most effective technique is the one that allows for the emergence of an unexpected shot.
Common mistakes to avoid and best practices on set
Several missteps often recur: leaving without permission, underestimating administrative deadlines, neglecting team safety, or forgetting to obtain consent from filmed individuals.
- Do not film in military or restricted areas: these prohibitions are strict and enforced.
- Always ask for consent to film individuals, especially in villages and markets.
- Avoid filming during Tết (Lunar New Year): services are closed, and there is unpredictable crowding.
- Prepare a weather backup plan: the rainy season can interrupt outdoor sequences.
- Respect spiritual sites: ask for permission before using professional equipment in temples and pagodas.
For inspiring analyses of staging and lighting, consulting cinema reflections helps rethink capture: performance analysis and study on natural light offer useful technical insights for directing actors and set photography.
Insight: respecting places and people enriches the final aesthetic more than any filter.
In practice, a successful shoot in Vietnam combines administrative anticipation, precise equipment choices, and cultural sensitivity. Teams that master these aspects transform each shot into a genuine meeting between the director’s vision and the soul of the landscape.
How long should I allow to obtain a filming permit in Vietnam?
Generally, you should expect between 7 and 20 working days depending on the project’s nature and the speed of the documents provided. To avoid unexpected issues, it is advisable to start the procedure at least three weeks before arrival.
Can a drone be used for amateur filming?
The use of a drone, even for amateur purposes, requires official permission. The application must include GPS coordinates, dates, and the flight’s purpose, and is reviewed by the Ministry of Defense.
What are the best months to film terraced rice fields?
The rice fields are spectacular in September-October during the harvest (golden tones) and in spring (May-June) when the new shoots offer an intense green. Plan according to the desired ambiance.
How to manage the customs clearance of filming equipment?
Send the complete list of equipment to the Film Officer before arrival. At the airport, a fixer and the Film Officer will facilitate the exit of equipment in coordination with customs, thus avoiding blockages.
