How CREATVAsia is navigating international production in Southeast Asia

So my company focused on raising local crews to international standards, while building the kind of systems that could handle the expectations of Hollywood and Pinewood.

Over time, that naturally expanded. What started in Vietnam now extends across Laos, the Philippines and Thailand through regional partnerships. But the core idea hasn’t changed.

If anything, it’s just been refined. Today, we express it simply: Safe. Cost-efficient. Cinematic.

Those aren’t marketing words. They reflect what productions actually need right now.

What international productions have you been working on recently and what’s coming up in 2026?

We’ve been working with clients from Australia, the US and France across Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.

That mix is continuing into 2026, with more projects coming in from France, Australia and Singapore. What’s changed isn’t just volume, it’s geography. More productions are thinking regionally rather than in single countries.

We’re also coming to the end of a 10-year infrastructure project here in Vietnam that started back in 2016.

What filming locations are proving popular at the moment and why?

Vietnam remains the strongest base. Not just because of the variety, but because of how accessible that variety is.

Laos is seeing more interest as well, offering something less exposed, a bit rawer.

Cambodia has been quieter recently, while our partnerships in the Philippines are opening up new opportunities and bringing more projects into that market.

What we’re seeing overall is a shift. Producers aren’t just choosing locations anymore—they’re choosing systems that work.

What should international producers know about filming in your locations?

Preparation matters. Vietnam works very well for production, but it rewards planning. That’s where our campaign comes from: Safe. Cost-efficient. Cinematic.

Safe means stable environments, experienced crews, and predictable workflows. Cost-efficient isn’t about being cheap. It’s about using time and movement properly. Cinematic is the result of what’s already here: real locations, real range.

If you approach it properly, everything aligns. If not, you start losing time very quickly.

What is the most challenging element of a production you’ve been a part of and how did you overcome it?

We had a project that, regrettably, was cancelled in the middle of a scout. At that point, it’s not about execution anymore but how you turn the situation into the best outcome for all involved. Those situations are difficult, but they also show where your responsibility really sits. In good times and not so great ones.

What are the biggest differences between feature/TV productions and commercial shoots?

Features take the longest to develop and the longest to close. Television — especially reality — is where we’ve done most of our work. It’s fast moving, intense, and often spans multiple countries, which is where our CREATVAsia regional network is vital.

Commercials are a different beast, often the most compressed in terms of shoot schedule but can stretch out for many months behind the scenes.

Each format demands a different kind of discipline.

What does CREATVAsia offer that sets it apart from other production service companies in Vietnam?

We’ve been here a long time, under the same name and ownership. We’re not trying to reposition ourselves every few years. We’re not reacting to what others are doing. We focus on the work. There are companies that claim to be local but aren’t, and others that are still building their reputation. That’s fine.

We’ve built something consistent, and we’ve extended that across the region. That’s where the value sits.

What about filming in Vietnam has changed since CREATVAsia opened?

Many improvements and movements in good directions. The government is more open to international production. Infrastructure has developed significantly: roads, access, logistics.

Crews are more experienced now. When we started, having an HD camera was something unusual. Today, that level of equipment is standard across the industry.

What hasn’t changed are the locations. That’s always been Vietnam’s strength. Technology caught up. The landscapes were already there.

What advice would you give to international producers wanting to work with CREATVAsia or film in Vietnam?

Be prepared.

Understand that each country has its own systems, its own way of working. Permits, visas, logistics all need to be handled properly from the start. Trust the people on the ground. You don’t need to control everything yourself. And don’t assume that louder means clearer.

If you come in with the right structure, Vietnam gives you a lot back. If not, you spend your time solving problems instead of shooting.

Answers by managing director Othello Khanh.