Ho Chi Minh City
Film Fixer & Production Services

Our core team, offices, and equipment rental partners are based in Ho Chi Minh City. This is home base. We are not a broker or a middleman operating from another country. Our producers, fixers, and crew live and work here.

Ho Chi Minh City is where the majority of our productions originate. From here we also run shoots across Vietnam and throughout Asia, with established crews in Hanoi, Da Nang, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Laos and Cambodia.

We work in two ways depending on what you need.

For international production companies, agencies, and film crews bringing their own creative to Ho Chi Minh City, we provide full production services and fixing. That includes film permits and drone permits, crew hire, equipment rental, location scouting and management, logistics, talent casting, fixers, and translators. We handle everything on the ground so your team can focus on the creative.

For brands and organizations that need video or photography created in Ho Chi Minh City, we handle the full process from concept through delivery. Corporate video, brand films, commercial production, documentary, and photography across multiple disciplines. Our clients include Nike, Microsoft, Netflix, and other global brands who trust us as a creative partner.

Over 20 years of production in Ho Chi Minh City means we know the locations, the regulations, the crews, and the logistics better than anyone.

It depends on your project. The type of production, the locations involved, the size of your crew, the content being filmed, and whether the production is visible to the public all factor into what is actually required.

What we can tell you from over 20 years of managing productions in Ho Chi Minh City is that the permit landscape here is nuanced. A small crew filming inside a private office has very different requirements than a 30-person team blocking traffic in District 1. Some situations are straightforward. Others require coordination with the Ministry of Culture, local police, and district authorities.

Every project is different. Contact us and we will tell you exactly what applies to your shoot. Reach out at info@em-production.com or use our contact form.

Filming permits in Ho Chi Minh City are issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The process involves documentation, translations, government coordination, and lead times that vary depending on the type of production.

Generally you will need a content summary or script, passport details for foreign crew, a location schedule, and an equipment list. Some productions also require a government-assigned press officer on set. Lead times vary, but planning for at least three to four weeks is advisable for most commercial and corporate productions.

EM Productions manages the full permit application process for our clients. Every project is different, so contact us to discuss what your specific shoot requires. Reach out at info@em-production.com or use our contact form.

Drone use in Ho Chi Minh City requires a separate permit from the Ministry of Defense, even if you already hold a standard filming permit. The two permits are issued by different government bodies.

The application requires operator details, drone specifications, flight coordinates, and a schedule of use. Some areas near Tan Son Nhat Airport, military installations, and government buildings are restricted or require additional approvals. Operating a drone without a permit carries serious consequences, including fines, confiscation, and potential blacklisting.

Every project is different. If drone footage is part of your shoot, bring it up early and we will map out what is feasible. Reach out at info@em-production.com or use our contact form.

Yes. Military zones, government buildings, certain areas near Tan Son Nhat Airport, and sensitive public spaces have restrictions on filming. Some require additional permits. Others cannot be filmed at all.

Beyond formal restrictions, practical considerations also apply. Busy intersections in District 1, certain markets, and high-traffic public spaces may require police coordination, road closures, or crowd management for larger productions.

EM Productions has managed shoots across Ho Chi Minh City for over 20 years and knows which locations are straightforward and which need careful planning. Contact us before you lock a location. Reach out at info@em-production.com> or use our contact form.

In most cases, yes. If you are a small crew with mid-size professional equipment, it is generally straightforward and will not raise issues at customs. When a film permit is in place, we liaise with customs in advance so equipment inspections go smoothly.

Vietnam is not a carnet country, which makes temporarily importing large equipment more complex and more expensive. For most productions, it is more practical and cost-effective to rent equipment locally. Ho Chi Minh City has a strong rental market including cinema cameras, lenses, lighting, grip, drones, jibs, and rigging.

We work with trusted equipment rental partners in the city and can put together a full package based on your shot list. If you are unsure what to bring versus what to rent, contact us and we will help you make the most cost-effective decision.

Working with a local production partner in Ho Chi Minh City is strongly recommended for international crews. Navigating permits, securing locations, coordinating crew, and managing logistics across the city is complex without experienced on-the-ground support.

EM Productions provides full fixer services in Ho Chi Minh City. We handle everything from permit applications and location management to bilingual on-set assistance and equipment coordination. Over 20 years of production experience in this city means we know what keeps a shoot on schedule and on budget.

Ho Chi Minh City offers a dense range of visual environments within a compact area, which is one of the reasons it is such a productive city to shoot in.

The most commonly used locations include District 1 for urban energy, modern skylines, and colonial French architecture. The Ben Thanh Market area for street life and texture. Binh Thanh and District 3 for residential streets and local character. The Saigon River waterfront for wide shots and golden hour. Thu Duc for industrial and modern commercial environments.

EM Productions has location scouted across the city for over 20 years. Contact us and we can match locations to your visual brief. Reach out at info@em-production.com or use our contact form.

Ho Chi Minh City has a growing number of professional studio facilities, ranging from small cyclorama studios for product and portrait work to larger stages capable of handling commercial productions with full set builds. Most major studios are located in the outer districts.

EM Productions has established relationships with studio facilities across the city and can recommend and book the right space for your production. Contact us with your brief and we will match you to the right facility. Reach out at info@em-production.com or use our contact form.

Ho Chi Minh City has two seasons. The dry season runs from December through April and is the most reliable window for outdoor shooting. Clear skies, lower humidity, and consistent light make this the preferred period for commercial and brand productions.

The rainy season runs from May through November. Rain typically arrives in short, heavy bursts in the afternoon and evening, so morning shoots are usually fine. Overcast conditions during rainy season can actually work in your favor by providing soft, even light for certain types of work.

Production is possible year-round in Ho Chi Minh City. Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year, usually late January or early February) reduces crew availability significantly. Plan around it.

We help clients schedule productions around weather windows and local events to avoid disruptions.

Send us a message at info@em-production.com or use our contact form. Tell us what you are looking to achieve, where and when you want to shoot, and any requirements you already know. We will set up a call to discuss your project, timeline, and budget. No commitment required.

If you are still in early stages and just need guidance on what is possible in Ho Chi Minh City, we are happy to talk through it. That is part of what we do.