Trip
Features
TRIP OVERVIEW
Vietnam
is a country full of photographic opportunities.
The landscape is diverse and includes a very long
and beautiful coastline, magnificent rock
formations, and mountains. Having not developed
like China and Thailand it still has plenty of
opportunity to observe and photograph traditional
lifestyles. Vietnam is raw and still relatively
unspoilt, with a photograph and story to be told
at every bend of the road that you travel. Because
of this, now is a great time to visit Vietnam.
Having travelled to Vietnam on
two occasions, most recently to photograph this
amazing country, I have specifically designed this
tour with photographers in mind. Come and discover
the hidden charm of Vietnam and the endless
photographic opportunities. Just like me, I am sure
you will find it to be an experience never to be
forgotten and one which leaves you hungry for more.
Highlights
-
Bustling cities of Ha Noi and Ho
Chi Minh City
-
Stilted villages, floating
markets and rice fields of the Mekong Delta
-
Sweeping sand dunes, colourful
fishing villages and inviting beaches of Mui Ne
-
Mountain retreat of Da Lat and
off the beaten path of the Central Highlands
-
Beach resort town of Nha Trang
-
Ancient sites of Hue 's Nguyen
Dynasty and Hoi An's kingdom of Cham
-
Colourful ethnic minority
markets and scenic northern highland hill tribe
villages
-
Breathtaking scenery and huge
rock formations of Ninh Binh
-
Jagged isles, hidden lagoons,
and sea caves of Ha Long Bay
DETAILS OF THE TRIP
Day 1: HO CHI MINH
CITY ARRIVAL (D)
Pick up upon arrival at Tan Son
Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Free at leisure
until we will join in a pre-dinner drinks with our
fellow travellers at the Rex Hotel , followed by a
fine Vietnamese meal in a relaxing environment of
traditional folk music at Cung Dinh or Hoa Mai
Restaurants at the rooftop of The Rex Hotel. A short
information session on the tour will be presented
after dinner. You are then free to relax or
photograph the city night life.
Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY
– CAN THO (B,L,D)
Arise early to visit and
photograph Binh Tay Chinese Market. After breakfast
commence journey to the Mekong Delta, where we will
take a boat trip to witness and photograph the
peaceful and tranquil life of the villagers up
close. After lunch, we will continue our journey to
Can Tho, where we will check into our hotel. In the
afternoon, we will make our way to Bang Lang Stork
Sanctuary, home to literally thousands of storks
that return each evening to roost. Here we will also
get the opportunity to photograph the local people
on the water. After dinner in Can Tho, there is the
option of visiting the night markets.
Day 3: CAN THO – HO CHI
MINH CITY (B,L,D)
We will arise early so that we
can make our way to Phung Hiep Floating Market,
where we will photograph the markets from a nearby
bridge, providing us an elevated vantage point.
After breakfast, we will board a boat so that we can
get up close to the largest floating markets in
Southeast Asia . We will then visit Phung Hiep Snake
Market before commencing our journey back to Ho Chi
Minh City , stopping for a short break at Vinh long,
where we can photograph a local market. On return to
Ho Chi Minh City , we will check into our hotel,
before taking an evening boat cruise on Sai Gon
River.
Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY -
MUI NE (B,L,D)
Today we will do a city tour,
visiting many landmarks. These include Thien Hau, a
150 year old Chinese Temple , Lacquer wares workshop
and Jade Emperor pagoda. Afternoon visit the
Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post
Office. We will then transfer to Mui Ne where we
will photograph the sunset from above Mui Ne village
which, with its bevy of fishing boats, is
particularly scenic.
Day 5: MUI NE (B,D)
We will arise early and travel to
the white sand dunes for the sunrise, retuning via
the red canyon. You are then free to explore and
photograph at your leisure or just relax on the
beach. In the afternoon, we will visit Fairy Springs
followed by the red sand dunes, where we will enjoy
the sunset. After dinner, we will travel to Phan
Thiet to photograph the harbour and parks at night.
Day 6: MUI NE – DA LAT
(B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
the local fisherman returning to the beach with
their catch. After breakfast, we will head north to
Ca Na, where we will stop briefly to photograph the
salt fields, before continuing to Phan Rang/Thap
Cham to visit Po Klong Garai, a group of Cham towers
from the 13 th century. We will have lunch then
continue our journey to Da Lat, stopping briefly at
the top of Ngoan Muc Pass to visit a waterfall and
old Bellevue train station.
Day 7: DA LAT (B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
Central Market. After breakfast we will visit the
Crazy House, Dragon Pagoda, an old steam train
running on a zigzag railway and Truc Lam Zen
Monastery. In the afternoon we visit Lat village
prior to transferring by jeep to the summit of Lang
Biang mountain. Stops will be provided on the return
trip so we can photograph the locals watering their
market gardens in the late afternoon light. After
dinner we will walk around Da Lat to do some night
photography.
Day 8: DA LAT – LAK
LAKE (B,L,D)
Free to visit Central Markets.
After breakfast, we will commence our journey to Lak
Lake , stopping on the way to visit a silk worm
factory, chop stick maker and Voi (Elephant)
waterfall at Nam Ban Town . After lunch we will
continue to Jun, a M'nong ethnic minority village
next to Lak Lake . Here we will enjoy a leisurely
elephant ride to a minority village. In the
afternoon, we will photograph the sunset over Lak
Lake . We will enjoy a unique experience sleeping in
a minority long house for the night.
Day 9: LAK LAKE – NHA
TRANG (B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
the local fisherman with their unique method of
fishing. After breakfast we will commence our
journey to Buon Ma Thuot, stopping to photograph a
church that was destroyed during the war. Once we
reach Buon Ma Thuot, we make our way to Dray Sap
where we will have lunch and photograph the
waterfall. After lunch we will have a long drive to
Nha Trang, stopping briefly at an Ede minority
village for a short break. Once we arrive in Nha
Trang, you are free to do as you wish.
Day 10: NHA TRANG (B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
the sunset at the beach. After breakfast, enjoy a
relaxing day on the water as we cruise around the
islands off the coast. Our first stop will be at a
local fishing village. There will also be plenty of
time for swimming and snorkelling on some of the
coral reefs that surround these islands as well as
generally lazing around on the deck of the boat.
Local seafood lunch will be served. We will enjoy
the sunset at Cai River.
Day 11: NHA TRANG – HOI
AN (B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
fishing boats returning from sea at sunrise on Xom
Bong Bridge over the Cai River . We will enjoy a
boat trip to the fishing fleet at the estuary before
continuing our journey up the river where we will
get to photograph incessantly changing landscapes
with coconut palms, rice fields, water buffaloes,
orchards and vegetable gardens. We then make our way
to the airport for our flight to Da Nang . Once we
have checked out of Da Nang airport, we will
commence our journey to Hoi An, stopping briefly at
Marble Mountain and the Non Nuoc stone fine art
village. On arrival at Hoi An, we will check into
our hotel before taking a leisurely walk to
photograph the town, river and boats in the
afternoon light.
Day 12: HOI AN (B,D)
We will walk to Cam Nam Bridge
and photograph the sunrise with boats travelling up
and down the Thu Bon River . There will also be an
opportunity to photograph a local fisherman
attending his fishing net. Afterwards we will visit
the local markets before returning to the hotel for
breakfast. After breakfast we will take a walking
tour of Hoi An, visiting ancient homes, pagodas and
the Japanese Bridge . The rest of the day is free to
explore, shop or relax at your leisure. In the
afternoon, we will photograph fishing nets during
sunset. After dinner you are free to explore and
photograph Hoi An at night, with its beautiful
lanterns.
Day 13: HOI AN – HUE
(B,L,D)
We will arise early to take a
boat trip around markets near Duong Hoang Van Thu
Dock. After breakfast, we will travel to My Son, a
world heritage series of ruins remaining from the
Champa Kingdom which flourished from the 400AD to
1200AD. We will then commence our journey to Hue ,
stopping briefly along the way to visit Hai Van Pass
and Tam Giang Lagoon. On arrival in Hue , we will
check into our hotel before transferring to Vong
Canh Hill to photograph the Perfume River during
sunset.
Day 14: HUE (B,L,D)
Today we visit Minh Mang temple
(1 hour) followed by Tu Duc Tomb (1 hour). We
will then visit a village where we can see incense
stick (20 minutes) and Vietnam hat making area (20
minutes) before having lunch. We will then
visit Khai Dinh Tomb (1 hour) followed by a Dragon
boat tour on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu
Pagoda (40 minutes). In the evening and night, we
will enjoy and photograph entertainment on the
Perfume River , including the Flower Lantern
Festival.
Day 15: HUE – HA NOI
(B,L,D)
This morning we will depart very
early to visit Thuan An to photograph a wet markets
and the fishing village. Afterwards, we will make
our way to Hue to visit the Imperial City . We will
then visit Thanh Toan Bridge before making our way
to the airport for our flight to Ha Noi. On arrival
at Ha Noi, we will travel to a local village to
photograph rural life. We will then make our way
into Ha Noi where we will check into our hotel.
Day 16: HANOI – LAO CAI
(B,L,D)
We will arise early to visit the
flower or vegetable markets. After breakfast we will
go on a walking tour for 1 or 2 hrs in the old
quarter, photographing the shops, street life and
people going about their day-to-day activities. In
the afternoon we will go on a ½ day city tour,
visiting the Temple of Literature , One Pillar
Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Late afternoon,
we will travel to the West Lake area where we will
visit Tran Quoc pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple .
Afterwards, we will photograph the sunset around the
lake. After dinner we will board the overnight train
to Lao Cai.
Day 17: LAO CAI – MUONG
HUM MARKETS – SA PA (B,L,D)
After breakfast we will commence
our journey to the remote Muong Hum markets. Here we
will see Black H'mong, White H'mong, Red H'mong,
Flower H'mong, Black Dao, Ha Nhi, Lu, Tay and Day
minorities buying and selling local produce. Mid
afternoon we will commence our journey to Sa Pa ,
stopping along the way to take photographs of the
scenery in the late afternoon light. On arrival, we
will check into our hotel before travelling to Tram
Ton Pass (Heaven's Gate) for the sunset.
Day 18: SA PA (B,L,D)
Today we will trek down the
mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will
photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and
local minority people going about their day-to-day
activities. After an enjoyable picnic lunch, we will
continue our trek, walking through a number of
minority villages and getting up close to the
terraced rice fields. We will photograph the sunset
over the terraced rice fields at our leisure.
Tonight our accommodation will be a home stay in Ta
Van village.
Note: For travellers who are
unable to do this trek, an alternative program will
be available including transport to Ta Van village.
Day 19: SA PA – HA NOI
(B,L,D)
This morning we will arise early
to photograph sunrise over terraced rice fields and
minority people commencing their daily activities.
After breakfast, we will commence our day by walking
through the villages and terraced rice fields,
making our way back to the main road and transport.
We will then travel to visit some other minority
villages before commencing our return journey to Lao
Cai. After dinner we will board the overnight train
to Ha Noi.
Day 20: HA NOI – HA
LONG BAY (B,L,D)
On arrival in Ha Noi, we will
freshen up before going to Hoan Kiem Lake to
photograph early risers meditating, doing tai chi,
exercising and playing badminton. After breakfast,
we will travel to Ha Long Bay, where we will board
the boat and eat lunch whilst cruising out to Ha
Long Bay. We will visit Surprising Cave and
photograph the bay and floating village. In the
afternoon, we will climb up to the peak of Ti Top
Island for a panoramic view of Ha Long bay. We will
stay overnight on the boat.
Day 21: HA LONG BAY –
NINH BINH (B,L,D)
We will arise early to photograph
the sunrise on the beach, before continuing our
leisurely cruise through the bay. We will also visit
floating villages and fish farms. We will return to
dock at midday where we will have lunch. After lunch
we will commence our journey to Ninh Binh, stopping
briefly at Thai Binh. We will then make our way to
Kenh Ga Floating Village where we will witness and
photograph the unique river life.
Day 22: NINH BINH – HA
NOI (B,L,D)
This morning we will enjoy a 2
hour boat cruise through Tam Coc which boasts some
absolutely breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, we will
travel along rural roads amongst the rice fields and
magnificent rock formations of the Hoa Lu area.
After lunch we will visit Van Long Nature Reserve (2
hours) before commence our journey back to Hanoi .
We will stop at a market garden during the return
trip to photographs rural life up close. On arrival
in Ha Noi, we will check into our hotel before
enjoying dinner at a charming restaurant at Hoan
Kiem Lake . After dinner, we will enjoy the
mesmerising water puppet show.
Day 23: HA NOI – AT
LEISURE (B,L,D)
We will arise early to visit Dong
Xuan markets, the largest markets in Ha Noi. You
will then have free time to visit Ha Noi or catch up
on your shopping. In the afternoon, we will transfer
to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 24: DEPART HANOI
(B,D)
Today you are free at your
leisure or do your shopping before our departure.
Transfer to the airport to catch flight onward. End
of service.
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Accommodation (double/twin sharing)
