Vietnam is definitely on the ‘can’t miss” list for anyone with a camera interested in the many splendors of travel photography. One of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant cultures offers spectacular scenery, stunning historical sites w/ marvelously rich interiors, 54 colorful ethnic groups, and a friendly populace that rank it among the great photographic destinations of the world.
Our photo tours are handled by Vietnam’s hobby shooter & logistics master Diep Van. Diep is constantly working to have you in the right location with the best light for any particular photo shoot.There’s always a mix of free & street shooting, portraits & people, landscapes & landmarks, and providential surprises! There are also a number of arranged shoots in stunning settings, both with professional and impromptu local models. You’ll get the chance to photograph in places both on & off the beaten path, with unparalleled inside access and an extraordinary number of impact image-making opportunities.
CLASSICAL PHOTO of VIETNAM (14 Days)
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Hello Hanoi– Welcome Dinner (D)
On arrival at Noi Bai (Hanoi) airport, our guide & driver will pick you up and then transfer you to the hotel to drop off luggage and get some rest (While some of you will arrive a day early to get acclimated). A short meeting will be held in the afternoon & then a sumptuous Vietnamese Welcome Dinner follows in the evening.
Day 2: Hanoi – Handicraft Village – Ninh Binh (B, D)
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the hotel to fuel up for an interesting day in Hanoi with the charm of the Old Town, hidden cafes and bars, and delicious food. Visit Handicraft village where we have opportunities to photograph the locals drying the incense stick in colors and capture the beauty of culture and sightseeing. By the afternoon we head to Ninh Binh which is known as “Ha Long among the rice paddies”, the impressive limestone structures and green rice fields form the landscape.
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, we journey through Ninh Binh to the beautiful Ha Long Bay by 4 hours motor coach. A highlight of our journey is a 1-night cruise through the impressive Hạ Long Bay, and more than 3000 stunning limestone karst islands. Relax on this replica of the ancient junks that sailed these waters for centuries, lie on beautiful beaches, and explore caves. These islands are among the most popular areas for visitors to Vietnam, but no trip to this part of Asia is complete without photographs of these iconic waters.
Day 4: Halong – Hanoi – fly to Hue (B, L)
Watch and photograph the magnificent sunrise from a boat in Halong Bay. Then return to the mainland by boat whilst having breakfast/brunch. Meet our driver at Halong Harbour and hid the road toward Hanoi for a short flight to Hue.
Day 5: Imperial City of Hue: (B)
Dive into culture and gorgeous sunrise light with the view of fishermen casting their colorful nets. After breakfast, photograph the process of making colorful incense sticks and then step into history at the gloriously exotic grounds of Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb. Free shoot as you wish, and/or stick with the team as they work the scene for images. Thien Mu Pagoda and monastery are next up, followed by afternoon & sunset at Tam Giang Lagoon and its surrounding villages.
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (B)
The day starts with the glorious grounds of the Imperial City w/ professional Ao Dai models. The approach here on this incredible “set” is as if you’re on assignment for a travel or fashion magazine. After the shoot, it is time to explore more of the ancient city. After lunch, we will take the spectacular coastal drive to Hoi An for an afternoon in the old city around the ancient Japanese Bridge.
Day 7: Hoi An (B)
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of old Hoi An was once the busiest port on the South China Sea, ruled by the Champa Dynasty for 14 centuries. Today’s shooting begins at a local fishing village, where nets wriggling in silvery fish glinting in the morning sun are raised from stilt platforms. Catch the colorful morning market on the way back. This afternoon we will head to the rural village in Hoi An to know the locals and get more opportunities to capture the beauty of the town from different angles.
Day 8: Hoi An – Da Nang – Nha Trang – Doc Let (B, D)
There will be loads of wonderful sunrise shoots on this trip but we can’t miss the sunrise at the lively market on the beach which has a layer of boats with local people trading fish. After checking out the hotel, we will go to Da Nang for a short flight to Nha Trang – a well-known beach resort city. On arrival at Cam Ranh airport, drive to Doc Let up the coast. Check into the hotel & get to bed early, for tomorrow begins well before sunrise!
Day 9: Doc Let – Nha Trang – Phan Rang (B, D)
At Luminous Vietnam, every photo tour endeavors to bring our photographers to at least one very special, off–the–beaten path location: the Salt Fields of Hon Khoi.
The salt ponds of Khanh Hoa are perhaps the most photogenic anywhere on earth. The scene of workers, salt, and reflective pools is like a tropical arctic, and at its best borders on the surreal. The afternoon will find you at another great scene to the south, highlighted by green fishing net weaving in a nearby village and the vast sand dunes of the now vanishing Cham tribe, and a visit with a wonderful Cham family whose daughters have rare blue eyes (if she has to go to school & not available, we will find other option to photograph).
Day 10: Phan Rang – Nha Trang – fly to Saigon (B)
Early Cham villages shoot, culture in action, plus environmental portraits of Cham tribe on sand dunes. Return to the hotel for breakfast & leisure, then pack for the next short flight to Saigon for some street shooting downtown when time permits.
Day 11: Saigon Street – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B, D)
Good morning Saigon- a bustling city you ever want to see, with motorbikes moving in great swarms thick as locusts. After having breakfast and a coffee at the hotel, you should get ready for the fun day!
There are several markets in town but we consider Cho Lon which is located in Chinatown the most interesting market to experience and take photos of. After that, visit a Chinese temple with a different architectural style compared to the other temple in different parts of Vietnam. After lunch, we will make our way to the Mekong Delta.
Day 12: Floating Market – Bac Lieu – Can Tho (B)
Nga Nam is most famous, smaller, more intimate, and sees far fewer tourists. We will start very early morning before sunrise from a high-angle location, as school kids in a uniform taxi across the river. You will see the boats transporting and selling basically everything! from timbers, vegetables, and breakfast noodles to poultry. Then transfer to the coast of Bac Lieu to photograph the daily work and life of fishermen and the Viet ladies in conical hats who are fixing & sewing the colorful fishing nets. By late afternoon we come back to Can Tho and spend the night.
Day 13: Can Tho – Saigon – Farwell Dinner (B, D)
after checkout at the hotel, we are off to Saigon in the afternoon. A farewell dinner will follow at the restaurant in Saigon. It will be your choice to spend the morning in Can Tho, could visit the floating market of Phong Dien, walk around the local villages, or spend a bit more time in your comfortable bed. After checking out of the hotel, we are off to Saigon, have dinner, and say farewell to your traveling companions at the end of your vacation.
Day 14: Saigon – Departure (B)
There’s free time for you at leisure or further exploring the city on your own until we take you to the airport and fly home with wonderful memories (not including late check-out for the hotel).
PRICE (per person & in US dollar) | Group of 4 – 6 pax (no Israel Leader) | $3550 |
Group of 7 – 10 pax (No Israel leader) | $2790 | |
Group of 11 – 15 (With Israel Leader) | $3390 | |
Group of 16 – 20 (With Israel Leader) | $2835 | |
Single Supplement: $730 |
Includes | Not Includes |
English speaking/Photography guide All accommodation at 4* & 5* hotel as itinerary (based on double/twin sharing room)In-country flights (Hanoi-Hue, Da Nang – Nha Trang, Nha Trang-Saigon)Ground transportation (latest model mini van/bus with plenty of space)Meals as mentioned in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)Plenty of bottled water All entrance, zone, camera fees and setup fee. Local model (if has) & village donations Visa approval letter (if needed) | International airfareDrinks at meals & meals not mentioned in itineraryPersonal purchasesTrip cancellation or medical insuranceMedical expensesGratuities for hotel porters, drivers or local guideVietnam visa stamp fee ($25/pax)Bank fees for both sides |
Accommodation (4* & 5* Hotels) | |||
Location | Hotel’s name or Similar | Website | Room’s category |
Hanoi | La Sinfonia De Rey Hotel & Spa | https://www.lasinfoniadelreyhotel.com/ | Executive City View |
Ninh Binh | Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Spa | https://hiddencharmresort.com/ | Deluxe |
Halong Bay | La Reginal Grand | La Regina Cruise (lareginacruises.com) | Deluxe |
Hue | Eldora Hotel | http://eldorahotel.com/ | Deluxe |
Hoi An | Silkotel | https://hoian.silkotel.com/ | Deluxe Balcony |
Doc Let | Pax Ana Doc Let Resort & Spa | https://paxanadoclet.com/ | Pax Sea View |
Phan Rang | TTC Ninh Thuận | https://ninhthuan.ttchotels.com/vi | Deluxe Garden |
Saigon | The Rex Saigon | https://www.rexhotelsaigon.com/ | Deluxe |
Can Tho | Victoria Can Tho Resort | https://www.victoriahotels.asia/en/hotels-resorts/cantho.html | Deluxe |
Please note that the hotels mentioned in the above list are only for reference and are entirely dependent on their availability upon your confirmation. In case of unavailability, they will be replaced by hotels at least equivalent.
Flights | ||||
Date | Route | Time | Agent | Class |
Day 4 | Hanoi – Hue | Vietnam Airlines/Bamboo Airways | Economy | |
Day 8 | Danang – Nha Trang | Vietnam Airlines/Bamboo Airways | Economy | |
Day 10 | Nha Trang – Hanoi | Vietnam Airlines/Bamboo Airways | Economy |