Southern Vietnam Photo Tour

Welcome to the Southern Vietnam Photography Tour: from Coast to Highlands of Vietnam, an immersive photographic adventure spanning 12 days. This tour offers participants a unique blend of structured photography instruction and guided exploration of the region’s diverse landscapes; people & their cultures.

Dates: November 08th – 19th , 2025

Tour Price – $4280 USD

Single Supplement – $790 USD

Route: Hanoi – Mekong Delta – South Central Coast – Central Highlands – Saigon

Airport Arrival/Departure: Saigon – Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)

Accommodation: Top-rated 4-star hotels & best one in a remote location.

Group Size: Small group, ensuring an intimate experience with a minimum of 4 persons & a maximum of 8 persons.

Physical Requirements: Our tours are designed for ease, with no long walks/treks involved.

Transportation: Including 2 internal flights, air-conditioned vans/mini-buses providing ample space

Please note that only major locations/dates are written in stone. All our photography tours are handcrafted to maximize the best image-making opportunities possible. There will be several happy surprises and great photo opportunities that happen along the journey depending on certain circumstances.

Explore your itinerary:

Day 1: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) Arrival

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, our guide & driver will pick you up and then transfer you to the hotel to drop off luggage and get some rest. After that, we head out for a street shoot around the city. Then, we’ll position for cityscape scenes at sunset & blue hour, using tripods for twilight, motion blur action around the Saigon River area. There will be a sumptuous Vietnamese welcome dinner waiting for us at a local restaurant once we are done with the shoot.

Day 2: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Moc Hoa

After the breakfast at the hotel, we will do street photography in China Town & Thien Hau Pagoda which is a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. The interior has colorful roof decorations representing scenes from the nineteenth century in a Chinese city.  Moreover, the most well-known interior design work which dominates the main altar is the three statues of the ‘Lady of the Sea’.

After that, make our way to Long An province, Mekong Delta region where we can sight-seeing lively activities along the river such as fishing and water transferring.

Day 3: Water Lilies – Saigon – Nha Trang – Doc Let

In this morning, we will participate in “water lilies” harvesting with locals and photograph one of the most beautiful southern signature images with workers, local women wearing the iconic conical hats, “khăn rằn” (a black-white checked scarf) and “Áo Bà Ba” (traditional Vietnamese southern outfits).

Returning to Saigon where we will take a short flight to coastal city of Nha Trang then toward to Doc Let. Once in Doc Let, we will check into our hotel and prepare for an early night. The next day’s adventure beckons us to rise before the sun.

Day 4: Doc Let – Nha Trang – Phan Rang  

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. Afternoon nearing Phan Rang will find you at another great scene, with a sea of green fishing nets being mended.

Our day’s photographic exploration will culminate with a sunset session, capturing the pastoral scene of a shepherd guiding sheep homeward. This moment, set against the backdrop of Phan Rang’s unique terrain, will mark the end of our day’s shooting, as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the scene.

Day 5: Phan Rang – Da Lat

We’ll start our day before sunrise to immerse ourselves in the cultural tapestry of the early Cham villages. Our cameras will be busy capturing the vibrancy of Cham culture and the people’s daily lives, set against the stunning backdrop of sand dunes.

After a morning of shoot, we will return to the hotel for breakfast and some leisure time.

Then, we’ll pack our gear and set off up the plateau of Central Highlands. Our journey continues to Da Lat, a city celebrated for its scenic beauty. The day concludes with a dramatic sunset photography session, where the interplay of light and shadow paints a breathtaking picture.

Day 6: Da Lat – Dak Lak

Our photographic adventure begins at dawn on the serene Tuyen Lam Lake, reflecting the surrounding pine forests. Where we will have the opportunity to photograph the local fishermen amidst the tranquility of the early morning. This peaceful setting provides a perfect subject for our sunrise shoot.

After returning to the hotel, we’ll savor a leisurely breakfast and check-out. Then we journey to Lak Lake. Upon arrival, we’ll transition to our hotel for check-in, allowing time to rest and reflect on the journey thus far. And don’t miss the opportunity to capture the Mnong ethnic minority in action during a sunset shoot, followed by dinner at our hotel.

Day 7: Dak Lak – Pleiku

When the morning’s first light sets the scene for a remarkable photography session. We’ll capture the majestic elephants alongside the Mnong ethnic minority, whose bond with these gentle giants stretches back over a millennium. In Dak Lak province, the Mnong revere their elephants, not merely as animals but as cherished members of their community, nurtured and respected with familial affection. The Mnong’s annual ceremony, a heartfelt prayer for the elephants’ wellbeing, stands as a testament to this profound relationship.

Once we’ve immortalized these moments, our journey leads us to Gia Lai with stop en route in Buon Ma Thuot for portrait photography sessions of Ede ethnic minority

Day 8: Pleiku

Today in Pleiku, we explore the fascinating realm of “gong,” an instrument that is important to the Central Highlands’ cultural identity and is observed in five provinces: Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong.  In 2005, this gong culture was honored by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The gong’s cultural significance spans multiple provinces and connects seventeen Austro-Asian and Austronesian ethno-linguistic communities. It is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and seasonal cycles, playing a key role in a mystical belief system that bridges the human, divine, and supernatural realms.

We shall photograph a variety of sessions highlighting this rich culture of ethnic minority over the course of the following two days. Portraiture of the Jrai and Bahnar people will also be our main focus.

Day 9: Pleiku

Another whole day photographing the Gia Lai province’s ethnic minorities. Todaypresents more chances to examine the diverse customs and culture via our eyes.

Day 10: Pleiku – Kon Tum

Our morning begins with a sunrise photo session in the charming 100-year-old pine lane on the north bank of T’Nung Lake (Bien Ho). After breakfast, we’ll relax at our hotel.

After checking out, we will head north to Kon Tum. Next, we’ll photograph the Bana tribal people and their famous communal tall houses. Our day ends with a Bahnar tribal “Xoan” performance picture session around a communal fire.

Day 11: Kon Tum – Pleiku – Saigon

We continue in Kon Tum, a province with 28 ethnic groups, including the Xo Dang, Ba Na, Gia Rai, Gie Trieng, Hre, Brau, and Ro Mam. Each ethnicity contributes to the area’s rich culture. We will photograph ethnic minorities, particularly the Brau and Gie-Trieng tribes, to capture their beauty and expressions.

After this shoot, we’ll pack and head to Pleiku airport for our short trip to Saigon. In Saigon, we’ll gather together a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Saigon – Departure

Your last day in Saigon is free to explore. You might wander Saigon’s busy streets one last time to capture its energy with your camera, or you could relax!

We’ll transfer you to the airport so you can take home photos and memories. Safe travels!