Steve Dao Film Fixer
Xin Chào Hello!
Welcome to Vietnam!
I am a Vietnamese Fixer & Field Producer for Food, Travel, and Culture Productions.
What I do
Vietnam, without the friction. I handle:
- Access to markets, kitchens, remote villages, and off-grid locations essential to your story.
- All permits, visas, and customs requirements to ensure smooth entry for your crew and equipment.
- Logistics end-to-end transport, schedule flow, local crew, characters, chefs, talent, boats, and location operations.
- Direct communication between your team and local vendors, officials, and communities.
- Budget transparency through fair negotiation and trusted local sourcing, without hidden costs.
- Resolving issues before they escalate, keeping production on schedule even as field conditions change.In short: I make demanding shoots in Vietnam simple, the kind built around real people, real locations, and real-time circumstances.Learn more about filming in Vietnam.Get in touch to start planning your production.
Who is this guy?
About me
I’m Steve, a fixer and field producer based in Vietnam, specializing in food, travel, and culture productions.I spent years with Best Ever Food Review Show, running shoots across markets, fishing villages, kitchens, factories, and places where planning meets real life. That experience shaped how I work today: clear communication, efficient logistics, and a steady on-set presence.My focus is simple:
I handle the logistics, access, and coordination so your crew can stay focused on the story.
Portfolio
Samples of some of my work.
The previous videos feature projects where I’ve held the position of Senior Producer, On-the-ground producer, Production Coordinator, and 1st AD.
Rates
Fixer Rate Card (in USD)
1-10 days: $300 / day
11-20 days: $280 / day
21-30+ days: $250 / dayIncluded:
- Fixers’ local transportation during pre-production (in Saigon).
- Up to 14 hours of work during production days (including commute time and meal breaks).
- Up to 10 hours of work during pre-production days (including commute time).Every project is different. I’ll provide a straightforward quote based on your schedule, locations, and production needs.
Why me
Benefits of working together
- Straight pricing, no games. You get real local rates, not inflated “foreigner quotes.”
- Real production experience. I’ve handled shoots for global teams, fast-moving creators, and local productions that move fast and expect accuracy.
- Deep Vietnam knowledge. I know how to get you where the story actually is.
- Built for any scale. From lean YouTube crews to full sized productions, I adapt fast and stay organized.
- Professional communication. Clear, calm, direct, the way international teams expect.If you need Vietnam done right, I’m your guy. Let's talk.
"Accumsan varius leo leo aenean porta neque dignissim orci urna suscipit pharetra."
@DianeShutztv - Former Bourdain Producer
"Odio tortor ante phasellus viverra mi euismod felis malesuada lacinia quis purus."
@sopheakfilmfixer
"Laoreet nunc elementum ante luctus nisl mus cras enim nec aliquam nascetur."
@Besteverfoodreviewshow
Conditions
You set the number of production days you need to book us for, and based on that information plus the complexity of any associated requirements (e.g. processing permits, hiring additional crew, etc.), we will determine the number of pre-production days we consider necessary. Please keep in mind that, as a general rule of thumb, every production day requires at least one pre-production day; the same applies to field research work, it usually requires some previous office work (e.g. researching, finding leads, calling, booking, etc.).
I am not a company, I am a freelance production fixer or line producer, and first assistant director. My job is to arrange everything locally on your behalf. Thus, contracts and payments for third-parties are made directly between you and them after I have coordinated the production for you.
As per Vietnam protocol, the production must provide the crew (e.g. the fixer team) with 2 meals, beverages, transportation and accommodation (if necessary) during principal photography; otherwise such items will be surcharged. However, the fixer’s transportation to the 1st location does not need to be provided by the production when shooting inside urban Ho Chi Minh city.
Travel days and commute time qualify as work.
Any tasks associated with your project, such as: researching, phone calling, meeting, planning, pre-interviewing, reporting, permit processing, etc. qualify as work.
For safety reasons, should travel or commute be necessary for longer than one (1) hour during night time (after sunset / before sunrise), then accommodation will be required.
Other conditions may apply.
Filming in Vietnam
VIETNAM FILM PERMIT
For foreign production crews who would like to come to Vietnam to film, it is required by law that you apply for a film permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) or the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST). For filming television programs, reality shows, documentaries, commercials, brand, corporate, and music videos, live production of sports, political, and social events, and news reports, you apply MoFA. For filming feature films or movies like "Kong: Skull Island" and "Tomorrow Never Dies", you submit documents to MoCST. Cast and crew also need journalist visas to enter the country for filming purposes.Documents needed to submit are as follows:- 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 VietnamAfter receiving all the completed documents, the Vietnam film permit will be processed and issued in seven to ten working days.MoFA and MoCST will assign at least one film officer (depending on the scale of your production project) to escort your crew during filming in Vietnam.The film permit fee in Vietnam is usually charged daily. However, for large-scale production projects (involving a large number of crew members, number of shooting days, and amount of equipment), it is charged on a package basis.Before issuing a film permit, MoFA and MoCST request that the Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Public Security process a journalist visa for each crew member. After processing, the Department of Immigration will issue a letter of journalist visa approval. Your Vietnam fixer will email you a copy of the journalist visa approval letter. You print it out and present it to pick up a visa at the international airport upon arrival in Vietnam. The fee for visa stamping is around US$25 per person. Please remember to bring a passport-sized photo with you. Otherwise, you must pay US$2 for photographing at the airport's visa counter. The other way to pick up a visa is at the Vietnam Embassy in your country to avoid queuing for ages at a busy airport.The process of applying for a film permit will cover customs clearance for equipment at the airport. The film officer will send a list of equipment to airport customs for temporary importation before you come. On arrival day, your fixer in Vietnam and the film officer will be at the airport to assist you with immigration procedures and customs clearance of equipment.Please note that if you want to film at a National Park or National Relics, you need to apply for an extra film permit. This will incur an extra fee and take time to arrange.
Drone Permits
According to Clause 3, Article 30 of the Vietnam Civil Air Defense Law, starting from July 1st, 2025, certain drones are exempt from flight permit requirements in Vietnam if they meet the following conditions:
· The drone is operated outside of no-fly zones or restricted areas
· The drone flies within the operator's line of sight
· The maximum takeoff weight is under 0.25 kg (250g)
· The purpose of the flight is for entertainment, personal use, or tourismAdditionally, in emergency cases (for the protection of life or property), drone operations may proceed without a permit, provided authorities are notified beforehand and approval is granted by competent bodies.So, if you're using a drone under 250g like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, DJI Mini 3 Pro, DJI Mini 3, or DJI Mini 2 SE, for recreational or personal filming in Vietnam, you are free to fly without needing a drone permit — as long as you stay out of restricted areas.If your drone weighs more than 250g, such as those in the DJI Air or Mavic series, you are required to apply for a drone permit from the Vietnam Ministry of Defense.Click here to download the Application Form to apply for a Vietnam drone permit.Important for Foreign Filmmakers: If you are a foreign national or organization planning to use drones in Vietnam, you must have a local Vietnamese company sponsor and represent you in the drone permit application process.
How can I help you?
Depending on the scale and nature of your productions, I'll recommend a best way to go about filming in Vietnam.
Thanks for reaching out!
Your message just landed in my inbox! I’ll personally reply within 24 hours (usually much faster if I’m not on set).If your shoot is urgent, you can WhatsApp me directly at
(+84) 904 777 379