Long divided by wars and history turmoils, Vietnam is now appearing in a different color and becoming a great inspiration through the lens of photographers. From the northern mountainous regions with colorful tribal groups, to the old castles and architecture of the Central, down to the peaceful river lives in Mekong delta of the South. Vietnam is surely a beautiful part of any photographers' diary.
We start in Hanoi – the city of soaring dragons with a thousand years of history. Hanoi is one of the oldest capital cities in Asia. Undergone through that much of time, Hanoi witnessed the invasion of the Chinese, the Mongolian and the French – all left their traces here. During the colonial time, Hanoi was known as Paris of the Orient with lakes and shaded boulevards. Hanoi now unveils a great charm in the lens of photographers and photo lovers. We will wander in the Old Quarter – where markets are on the streets, people washing their hair near the traffic, lazy coffee drinker sitting on the street enjoying coffee, a woman selling flowers with her bicycles…all form a picturesque photo of Hanoi’s lives. Leaving Hanoi, we head for the northern part of Vietnam – an area characterized by high mountains, jungles, terraced rice field and tribal groups. Here we will photograph a mountainous market. Unlike any other kind of market, the mountainous markets of north Vietnam is where people carry anything they grow/feed for exchange. You could see a man holding chickens, pigs in his arms and walk to the market for sell, or a couple walking their buffalos to the market…Usually a mountain market is held once per week, and at this time the who scenery of the region turns colorful with hundreds people in their traditional tribal customs. Mountain markets provide great photographic opportunities to capture a beautiful character of tribal life. Of course, we will also have a chance to walk in a tribal community, see their rudimentary way of life and capture them in the most natural way.
Central of Vietnam stands pretty much on its own in terms of culture and tradition. The city of Hue is the capital city – also the former capital of Vietnam during the 19th century – was proclaimed by the UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1993 for its imposing royal architecture. This was where the Nguyen dynasty – the last monarchy of Vietnam – ruled the country. Central Vietnam is also where Hoi An is located. Hoi An was, once upon a time, one of the busiest seaport in Asia where ships from around the world would dock to exchange products. Hoi an now is a peaceful romantic town lying on the bank of the river. While the bustling image of a seaport is gone, Hoi An retains an old atmosphere with its 18th, 19th architecture and beautiful countryside. This town was listed as a world heritage site by the UNESCO in 1999.
South Vietnam is home to the Mekong delta – where the mighty Mekong river empties itself into the East Sea. Characterized by a big number of small river and canals, Mekong delta in South Vietnam is a stunning area to photograph river life. Here we will have a chance to see one of the most colorful activity: The floating market. Early in the morning, hundreds of boats gather at a rivers’ joint and exchange products before heading out for one day selling. We will boat into the middle of this busy market and photographs all the boats heavily loaded with fruits and flowers. Last but not least is Saigon, the city with 300 years of history. Here French architecture from colonial time is well blended in with the old Vietnamese temple/pagodas. While history very much refers to Saigon as a war, the city now is home to amazing rhymes of life. From the bustling markets to the chaotic street life, you have it all in Saigon. So pack up and join us on this unique adventure to the Past and Present of Vietnam.
Late today, meet your photography tour leader in group briefing, get prepared for our upcoming tour. The group have welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2. Hanoi streetlife photography and night train to Lao Cai (B/LD)
Today we set out early to visit the local bustling market of Long Bien - the largest vegetable and fruit market of Hanoi. You will be amazed by how crowded and chaotic this market is with thousands of people struggling in their buying and selling. After the market we head to a local restaurant serving Pho and enjoy our breakfast with this traditional soup of Vietnam.
After breakfast we set out for the temple of literature - a famous Confucius temple with old architecture. We will photograph our young female models in their traditional Ao Dai - which stands out on the serene background of the old temple.
Back to the hotel for check out. The group then have lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant.
After lunch, we continue for some streetlife photography in the Old Quarter - the most crowded and alive part of Hanoi. This area is characterized with thousand of tiny colorful business, narrow streets and crowded and chaotic traffic movement. Here we take photos of local people in their natural pose: cooking, eating, washing hair, etc. After the walk we have a coffee-break in a local cafe overlooking the Old Quarter and take some panorama photos of this central part of Hanoi.
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight on board the train to Lao Cai.
Day 3. Lao Cai - Bac Ha – Can Cau (B/L)
Arriving in Lao Cai train station early in the morning, our bus is awaiting for the 2 hours driving to the mountainous town of Bac Ha. Here we have our breakfast and coffee, prepare our gears for our highlight of the day – Can Cau market – one of the most colorful market in Lao Cao province. Here, every Saturday the whole green valley of Can Cau turns into blossom with the costume of the local H’mong people coming for their once-per-week market. We will capture people exchanging their goods, eating and a variety of chickens/cows/buffalos/horses being sold. After the market we walk up hill into a H’mong community, meet & greet the local while capturing their everyday life’s moments.
Late in the day we drive to Sapa, a beautiful town set amid mountains.
Free for dinner. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4. Sapa – Ta Giang Phinh (B/L/D)
Free and easy morning doing your shopping or walk into town’s market.
We have lunch at a local restaurant before meeting up for our 45 minute drive to the village of Ta Giang Phinh – located in a valley surrounded by beautiful terrace rice field. This is a village of the H’mong people, with their rudimentary way of life. We walk in this community and have abundant of opportunities to capture people’s lives. Afterwards we choose our convenient spots where we could capture the amazing terrace rice field.
After some 3 hours in Ta Giang Phinh, we go to Lao Cai. Have our dinner here and board our overnight train to Hanoi.
Day 5. Hanoi - Ha Long bay (B/L/D)
Early morning we arrive in Hanoi. The group head out to the bank of the Returned Sword Lake where we see hundreds of local concentrating doing their Tai Chi or exercise. After this have our breakfast and depart for Halong bay.
Ha Long bay – 3 hour drive from Hanoi – is a beautiful area with karst formations jutting out of the sea, dotted by communities of fisherman. Here we board our beautiful Bhaya boat and sail out for the sea. After our lunch with seafood on board, we visit the Surprise Cave with our tripods. This the most beautiful and biggest cave on Ha Long bay. We will shoot inside the cave, capture the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Later on, if time and weather permits, we will be hiking up hill and capture Ha Long bay in the gold sunset.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6. Ha Long bay – Hanoi (B/Brunch)
This morning, a 45 minute excursion on sampans brings us to a beautiful floating village on the bay. We photograph the fishermen's all-year-around life on the water. If lucky, we might have a chance to see local children rowing their boats to the floating school nearby. After this, heading back to the main boat and have our brunch.
At 11.00 we dock and leave for Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi mid afternoon. Free time until depart to the airport to catch our flight to Hue.
Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hue.
Day 7. Hue Imperial city and royal architecture (B/L/D)
Today, we head out to take photos of the Imperial city of Hue - the former capital city of Vietnam from 1802 - 1945. Following by our visit to a royal tomb - where a king was buried.
After lunch in the afternoon we depart for some streetlife photography of Hue. We then head out of town to take photo of some coastal villages, timing to catch the fishermen coming ashore after a day fishing out.
Back to our hotel, dinner and free time in the evening. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8. Hue - Hoi An (B/L)
This morning, we take a 3 hour driving from Hue to Hoi An, taking the most stunning pass named Hai Van, considering the natural border between North and South Vietnam. Arrive in Hoi An around noon time. Hoi An was a busy sea port during the 16th - 18th century and famous for its old architecture. We will have lunch, check in our hotel then have some time for rest before heading out to the street and capture some of Hoi An's typical scenes.
Free for dinner. Overnight in Hoi an.
Day 9. Free day in Hoi An
A free day for you to relax or do some shopping.
Day 10. Hoi An - Da Nang - Saigon (B/L/D)
Today a short drive will bring us to Da Nang where we board our flight to Saigon - capital city of South Vietnam. Saigon is the most dynamic city and also the most vibrant in Vietnam. There is a variety of opportunities for us to learn about the city and the people via our lens. After check in the hotel, we have lunch in a local restaurant and in the afternoon we will head out of the hotel for the China town, where we take photos of the bustling Binh Tay market. Then we reach the nearby exotic Thien Hau pagoda where we see the local practicing their worshipping.
Dinner and overnight in Saigon.
Day 11. Sai Gon - Can Tho (B/L/D)
This morning we have a guided tour to see the highlights of the city includes the Independence Palace and the War Museum - famous for its 2nd floor - Requiem. Here we have a chance to see an exhibition of photographs taken by war photographers depicting the Vietnam War and its holocaust. Also we will pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Post Office to experience the colonial architecture.
After check out of hotel, our group will have lunch then depart for Can Tho. Reach Can Tho after 4 hours driving.
Dinner and overnight in Can Tho.
Day 12. Can Tho floating market
Mekong delta - southern Vietnam is characterized by hundreds of canals banked by a green color of coconut trees. Life, thus, involve lots of activities on the water and the most stunning is the floating market where, from early morning, hundreds of boats heavily loaded with merchandise busy exchanging their products.
Today we will rise early and spend our morning photographing the floating market. Our boat will make its way into the middle of the water traffic jam to create the best photo opportunities for us. After two hours shooting in this market, we head back to town and have our late breakfast. The rest of the morning you are free to wander in the town, perhaps go to the local market where you could capture more of the local's daily life.
After our lunch in a local restaurant, we drive 45' to reach Bang Lang Stork Garden where we have great opportunities to shoot wild life at one of Vietnam's biggest Stork Garden. We time the right moment when thousands of storks come back to their nests just before the night falls.
Dinner and overnight in Can Tho
Day 13. Can Tho - Saigon (B)
This morning after breakfast we drive back to Saigon and ready for our flight home. End of services.
