FILMING IN VIETNAM 2023: A COMPETE GUIDELINE
Filming in Vietnam for your next project? Vietnam is a great destination for filming, with its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and historical sites. But before you pack your bags and cameras, you need to know how to get a filming permit, a journalist visa, and a customs clearance for your equipment. In this article, we will explain the requirements and procedures for filming in Vietnam and how our fixer in Vietnam can help you with them.
VIETNAM FILM PERMIT
A filming permit is a legal document that allows you to film in Vietnam for a certain period of time and at certain locations. It is mandatory for all foreign production crews who want to film in Vietnam, regardless of the type or genre of your project. If you film without a permit, you may face legal troubles or have your footage confiscated by the authorities.
There are two ministries that issue filming permits in Vietnam: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST). The MoFA is in charge of issuing permits for filming television programs, reality shows, documentaries, commercials, brand, corporate, and music videos, live production of sports, political, and social events, and news reports. The MoCST is in charge of issuing permits for filming feature films or movies like “Kong: Skull Island” and “Tomorrow Never Dies”.
To apply for a filming permit, you need to submit the following documents at least 10 working days before your planned arrival date in Vietnam:
A completed Press Request Form. You can download it here.
A synopsis or purpose of your project.
A daily shooting plan with a detailed list of filming locations.
Copies of passports of all the crew members.
A list of equipment that you bring to Vietnam.
Our fixer in Vietnam can help you prepare and submit these documents on your behalf.
Click here to download the Regulation on Activities of Foreign Press in Vietnam
Documents needed to submit are as follows:
- Completely filled out the Press Request Form. Please click here to download the Press Request Form
- Synopsis/purpose of the show/program
- Daily shooting plan with a list of detailed filming locations
- Copies of passports of all the crew members
- List of equipment which you bring to Vietnam
Processing and issuing Vietnam film permit takes 7-10 working days upon receiving completed documents. MoFA and/or MoCST provides at least one film officer to escort the crew during filming. Film permit fee is usually charged daily, but for large-scale projects, it is charged as a package.
Before issuing a film permit, MoFA and/or MoCST requests for a journalist visa for each crew member from the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Public Security. A letter of journalist visa approval will be sent via email. The visa can be picked up at the international airport upon arrival in Vietnam or at the Vietnam Embassy in the crew's country. Customs clearance of equipment at the airport is covered in the film permit application process.
Please note that if you want to film at National Park or National Relics, you need to apply for an extra film permit. It will incur an extra fee and time to arrange it.
Vietnam has recently introduced a new regulation to attract more tourists. Citizens of certain countries can now enter Vietnam without a visa for specified periods of time ranging from 14 to 30 days. The countries include the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belarus, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Finland, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, and Brunei.
However, if you are visiting Vietnam for filming purposes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will consult with the Department of Immigration before allowing you to enter the country.
VIETNAM DRONE PERMIT | FILMING IN VIETNAM
If you want to have a drone flight in Vietnam, you have to submit an application to the Ministry of National Defence.
Click here to download Decree 36/2008/ND-CP on the management of unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft
Click here to download the Application Form to apply for a Vietnam drone permit. But don't be worried! fixer in Vietnam and the film officer will help you apply for permission prior to your filming. To submit this document, you need to define the exact locations (longitude and latitude) where you want to have a drone flight and the date of flying a drone. It will take around 10 working days to issue this kind of permit. It is not necessary to present any certificate of the pilot who will operate the drone.
Recently, some people have emailed to ask me whether or not they can bring in drones and have drone flights without a Vietnam drone permit. As a tourist, you can push your luck by having drone flights at places that are not very touristy or not in the centre of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or other major cities. The highest risk is that your drone will be confiscated, the footage will be deleted and you got fined. For professional shooting, my advice is that you officially apply for permission of having a drone flight in Vietnam so you can focus 100% on filming the content and not be distracted by other things.
CAN VIETNAM FIXER HELP WITH ARRANGING PERMITS?
Vietnam Fixer can definitely arrange all types of film permits for you. Our team will work closely with the film officer to ensure that everything is ready before you arrive in Vietnam.
In addition to coordinating with the film officers to arrange the necessary permits, we are also happy to offer suggestions for content and appropriate locations, identify local contributors with unique stories, assist with travel and filming plans, coordinate logistics, source local crew, provide equipment, and provide on-site translation support. Whatever you need to take care of before or during your filming in Vietnam, we are confident that we have a solution that will meet your needs.
With our fixer in Vietnam, you can focus on your creative vision and enjoy a smooth and hassle-free filming experience in Vietnam.
CONTACT US TODAY TO START YOUR FILMING PROJECT IN VIETNAM If you are interested in filming in Vietnam, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We will provide you with a free consultation and a customized quote for your project. We are looking forward to hearing from you and working with you soon.
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