- Main Cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hue, Hội An, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Can Tho, Ha Long
- Vietnam shares land borders with China to the north, and Laos and Cambodia to the west. It shares maritime borders with Thailand through the Gulf of Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia through the East Sea.
- Local language: Vietnamese
- Local currency: Vietnamese Dong (foreign currencies in cash aren’t legally accepted, though card payment is accepted at many restaurants and stores at big cities)
- Weather/Season: Different between the South and the North. The South: 2 seasons, rainy and sunny and mostly hot. The North: 4 seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter
- Visa Requirements:
For tourists: need to apply evisa before entering the country. There are 25 nationalities that can enjoy visa exemption. However, for press/filming purpose, a press visa (visa for journalism purpose) still need to be applied to be able to process press/film permit
Required information / documentation for application: Download this file
Timing for press visa: a couple of weeks.
Cost: At airport, 25 USD/person/month or less than a month for single entry, plus 5 USD for visa pictures if you don’t bring 2 of them yourself. Some nationalities don’t need to pay for a visa
Visa application link (If App): Not available. Press visa can only be applied via a Vietnamese embassy/consulate or a filming agency/fixer
- International Crew Accreditation:
Permit for press activity
- General film permit
What does a general film permit cover:
Filming at most public places, except near or at airport, military unit and government building
For government owned facilities: depend on where and what is the purpose.
Drone Permit:
In country drone regulations: By law, every single drone activity need to be registered for a permit
Organization issues the permit: General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army
Required information / documentation for application of Local Drone permit: If a foreign drone op operate the drone, must have film permit first before can apply for a drone permit. If a Vietnamese operates the drone, no need
Fill up https://filmproductionvietnam.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Drone-permit-application-form-Vietnam.doc
Timing: 3-7 business days
Equipment Customs Clearance:
Is it a Carnet country? => Yes. But they won’t sign any carnet document at the moment
Required information / documentation for equipment customs clearance
Currently none or if a lot, need to ask foreign press center issue a document. If not bringing equipment in with crew, but send by other services, need to do import-export.
Safety & Security:
General in country overview: Pretty safe, though traffic can be chaotic with a lot of motorbikes. Always be careful with your belongings.
Covid protocol:
Nothing at the moment