Alex Mitchell Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 Hey guys! I'm being brought on to a project that is going to Vietnam in late January and I wanted to check and see if anyone here has worked there. Things I'm wondering: 1. Wireless considerations. Are there any blocks banned? Is the maximum transmission power limited by law? Are certain blocks really congested? 2. Carnet. Do I need a Carnet to travel with my gear? I'm leaving from Canada if that makes a difference. Thanks for the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 1. have the production coordinator who is making your arrangements look into this for you... 2. A carnet is always a good idea, and the production company should provide... 3, etc... insurance, and shots... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Waelder Posted October 25, 2013 Report Share Posted October 25, 2013 This doesn't address all your questions directly but you should check out Jim Tanenbaum's account of teaching sound recording classes in Vietnam. We published it in the most recent issue of the 695 Quarterly and it's available for online viewing here: http://695quarterly.com/summer-2013/5-3-how-i-spent-my-summer-vacation/ In addition to the account published in the journal, a larger and more detailed account is available for download. Jim covers a variety of things about distant travel, cultural expectations and matters of that sort. Well worth a look if you are Vietnam-bound. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted October 27, 2013 Report Share Posted October 27, 2013 I was in north Vietnam doing a Doco and Bk 28/26 was good; it was a traditional science Doco the most mics I had up at once was two so not huge pressure there. Not sure if Vietnam is part of the carnet club, we travelled lots of other countries that were on carnet so had a carnet. As mentioned arranging a carnet is a production issue - give them details of gear you're taking with you and check the serial numbers to make sure they match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapio Posted October 27, 2013 Report Share Posted October 27, 2013 Not sure if Vietnam is part of the carnet club, It isn't, unfortunately. 2. A carnet is always a good idea, and the production company should provide... It isn't a "good idea" if that particular country isn't a member of the carnet program. Vietnam is still a somewhat closed country especially when it comes to filming in there. I went to Vietnam this spring with a small crew to film an episode for a show called "Find my family" (it's a Dutch format called 'Spoorloos'). The production had to contact the Vietnamese government prior to going there and we were issued a "guide" the first minute we landed in HCMC. Apparently her only job was to make sure we didn't film anything "unsuitable".. I sent the production a list of my equipment (the same list I use for ATA carnet) which they forwarded to the government office in Vietnam. We then received a document in return (written in Vietnamese), which apparently stated that we are allowed to bring the equipment to the country and also out of the country when we leave. Citizens from my country (and many others) don't need a visa for Vietnam but be prepared for a painfully slow "tourist" registration process at the airport upon arrival and bring a few passport pictures. We luckily managed to skip that part with the help of our governmet issued minder guide. I used two SRA's and four SMDB's in block 24 and had no problems with frequencies. I also used block 31 Audio Ltd En2's for IFB and heard no complaints from our producer or others who needed IFB. You propably know this already but the humidity and heat can be insane in Vietnam! Make sure that you have enough water bottles and then some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 If you're in Hanoi try and stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Great colonial place with super friendly staff - coffee and baked goods great too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWilson Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Loved the Vietnamese coffee, one would keep me buzzing for days!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainier Davenport Posted October 30, 2013 Report Share Posted October 30, 2013 I was in Ho Chi Mihn City for two weeks in December last year. As you live in Canada and I live in Australia, two reasonably well ordered and regulated Countries that are pretty much on the same wavelength, just forget about everything as you know it, it doesn't apply in Vietnam. Basically nothing seems to be regulated and everything can be bought. I wouldn't be too concerned about frequencies, I'd just take a couple of different blocks, and swap if necessary, as if you were going anywhere. Our equipment got seized and wasn't released out of Customs for the entire shooting period, for reasons I still don't understand and wasn't told. I made up detailed equipment lists, and itemised everything with serial numbers I took and valued everything at replacement price. Most of that info came out of my own insurance details. I had a huge amount of fun, and the Vietnamese people are genuine, friendly and curious and the food was awesome. There were a few sketchy moments but most things went well. I was always aware that I was the outsider and was always polite and made an effort to learn 'Thank you' in Vietnamese. Its amazing how far one word will get you. Have fun and take lots of photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_bollard Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hey Rainier HCMC - the dodgy south. Northerners make comments about them and consider them untrustworthy; left over from the war. The south has embraced it's exposure to the west thru the US. The north is more "soviet" but certainly not unfriendly - just a little more ordered; a long cut above India for example. I would really think twice before try to "fix" something with a bribe in the north. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karri Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 I was always aware that I was the outsider and was always polite and made an effort to learn 'Thank you' in Vietnamese. Its amazing how far one word will get you. Pretty easy, too, since it's so close to "come on"! Though after flying to Thailand from Vietnam had a bit of an embarrassing moment when a waiter brought my food and I thanked him in Vietnamese... I hope he knew the word instead of wondering "Come on? Why? I was already next to him"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Butler Posted November 4, 2013 Report Share Posted November 4, 2013 Hi there Alex, I've worked in Vietnam many times over the years for various productions. I've used Lectrosonics Blocks 21,22,23,24 and 25. Block 21 gave me the most problems, but I think you would get by with any of the above. Lectrosonics do have an Asian distributor whose email is peter@moretec.net, I'm sure they could provide you with more specific details If you need them. I have never had any problems with customs in Vietnam, but I know people who have. The key to avoiding any of these issues is to make sure that you have a good fixer and coordinator. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crimsonfilter@gmail.com Posted November 12, 2013 Report Share Posted November 12, 2013 Still there on the project. Lectro wireless bl 26-28 have no problem, Senn wireless G-band is the best. Bring your own power sources and never buy battery in Vn, 99% is fake. Charger etc. should handle 210+ V. Usually international production should have a Vietnamese liason to handle all the paper works for you but on the same note, make a complete list of your gears and their value. Media production gears are tightly considered state sensitive. Beside that, it is a great place to work, pple are friendly and Vietnamese crew are very eager to learn from international contractor. Other than that you can Email me for specific stuffs Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Flaherty Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 It has been a few years since my last visit but I do remember that we were required to contact the National Press Secretary before shooting (a 28 year old bilingual whiz kid). No carnet from USA Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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