VIETNAM PHOTO TOUR

Our Vietnam travel photography tour from south to north provides a truly compelling palate of photography gems to delight the discerning photographer
Travel with us to explore diverse cultures and landscapes, all connected with a warm Vietnamese welcome. We only work with locals in each area you will go to, from local students on the Mekong Delta to the Black Hmong ethnic group in the far north of Vietnam. They know their areas better than anyone else and understand the needs of photographers.

VIETNAM
14 DAY
PHOTO TOUR

OUR TOUR IN 2025 IS FULL

INCLUDES 3 DAY, 2 NIGHT
BAY TU LONG PHOTOGRAPHY CRUISE
ON OUR PRIVATEY CHARTERED BOAT
Vietnam South to North
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OUR TOUR PRICE INCLUDES

3 DAY - 2 NIGHT BAY TU LONG CRUISE
ON OUR PRIVATELY CHARTERED BOAT
WITH YOUR OWN EN SUITE CABIN
ALL MEALS INCLUDED
EXCURSIONS FROM THE BOAT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

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2025

FEBRUARY 20th - MARCH 5th

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE 8 - NO SINGLE PERSON SUPPLEMENT

WHERE WE GO

Ho Chi Minh City
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DAY 1 - 2
The bustling modern city with a vibrant food and coffee culture and home of the Independence Palace.

* Arrive Feb 20th 
18:00 meet for cocktails on the rooftop bar for an orientation about the tour and meet your fellow photographers.

Ho Chi Minh - Can Tho
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Day 2
AM: In the morning we embark on a walking tour of HCM, taking in street scenes, colonial architecture and the Vietnamese commute to work. We finish our walking tour at the Independence palace, full of history with the fall of Saigon.

ROAD TRANSFER TO CAN THO

Can Tho is the main gateway to the Mekong Delta. A bustling town with a market literally right on the doorstep of our accommodation, a photographers dream

PM: In the afternoon we walk to the local street food market, taking in the local produce market and street scenes on our way, rich with photography opportunities.
Can Tho - Mekong Delta
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Day 3
The might Mekong Delta, known as the 'Nine Dragon River Delta' by the Vietnamese is the life source of the area.

AM: This morning at dawn, we travel down the Mekong Delta in our own private boats to photograph the main floating market. We continue our journey taking in the backwaters and visit a cacao farm, traditional noodle makers and photograph how the locals live in this area.

PM: Back in Can Tho we walk along the riverside photographing the locals promenading with their families. We photograph a local temple with it's atmospheric coils of incense burning and visit the local night market as it's setting up.
Can Tho - Hoi An
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DAY 4

AM: Photograph sunrise over the river from the rooftop of our hotel. Afterwards photograph the frenetic morning activity in the market as locals get their fresh produce for the day.

INTERNAL FLIGHT TO DA NANG
AIRPORT TRANSPORT TO HOI AN

Hoi An perhaps the most photogenic town in Vietnam, with it's faded painted yellow walls and streets festooned with colourful lanterns, a photographers gem.

PM: We take a walk from our riverside hotel around the island, photographing local life, river scenes and architecture, finishing by the river bank that overlooks old Hoi An.
Hoi An
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DAY 5

AM: Sunrise photo shoot over the Haoi river towards the old French quarter of Hoi An.
Afterwards a short walk, photographing the quiet street by the river bank with it's colourful boats and river life, old colonial architecture.

PM: A walking tour of historic Hoi An, photographing it's ancient temples and shrines, pretty streets, local life and finishing the day at a brightly lit colourful lantern store.
Hoi An - Hanoi
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Day 6

AM: This morning we take our own private boat to a small island where we take a cycle tour, photographing rural life, rice paddy fields and a local boat yard along the way.
* The cycle tour is optional.

PM: After lunch we visit Marble Mountain, with it's far reaching views and intricately carved Goddesses and Buddhas within the caves. Don't worry there is a lift to the top.

INTERNAL FLIGHT TO HANOI
AIRPORT TRANSFER TO HOTEL
Hanoi
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DAY 7
AM: Our morning will begin early to photograph the local residents practicing Tai Chi, ballroom and disco dancing, playing badmington and maybe catch someone lying on metal railings around the lake near to our hotel. We will also photograph Huc Bridge and Den Ngoc Son Temple before heading to a high vantage point to photograph the street scenes and traffic below, to see it is to believe it!

PM: Our afternoon is spent exploring the labyrinth of streets in the Old Quarter which constantly bustle with commerce.
There will be plenty of opportunity to photograph authentic street life as we weave our way between lively markets and crumbling colonial architecture.
Hanoi - Sa Pa
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DAY 8
AM: After breakfast we will drive to Sa Pa in the far north of the country.

PM: Our afternoon shoot will take in the beautiful landscapes of this colourful town with its
fresh mountain air, amazing quality of light and brightly dressed visitors from the
surrounding tribal villages.
We will be in place to photograph the sun slipping behind the mountainous wall of Fan Si Pan
Sa Pa
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DAY 9
AM: After enjoying the early morning light gradually touch and warm the mountain vistas opposite our hotel, we will take an easy trek escorted by our Black Hmong friends Mrs Lan and Mrs Ping to their village, taking plenty of time for photography along the way.

After lunch, which is taken in a Black Hmong village, we will head by road further into the mountains to our next hotel, stopping where possible enroute for you to photograph the ever changing scenery and land use.
Remote Market by the Chinese Border
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DAY 10
AM: Our day will begin early with a trip to a local tribal market, an absolute kaleidoscope of
colour. Brightly dressed people from a selection of different ethnicities and tribes come
together at the market to trade produce, textiles, traditional medicines, livestock and other
useful products. This market is a special treat, something that will most likely be lost in the
coming years as a casualty of progress and development. We will take our time absorbing
all the tastes, colours, sounds, smells and textures.

PM: Arrive back in Hanoi
Hanoi - Ha Long Bay Port
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DAY 11

AM: This morning we will transfer from Hanoi to Ha Long City where we will board our
privately chartered boat, our home for the next two nights.

PM: As we leave port we will first cruise towards the quieter Bai Tu Long, known as 'Children of
the Dragon', a spectacular place for photography from the sundeck of the boat.
As night falls the warm, soft light from other anchored boats gives the bay a festive feel.
For those wanting to try their hand at squid fishing, lines and poles are provided free of
charge.
Bai Tu Long
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DAY 12
Early morning will most likely find the bay shrouded in mist giving great moody vistas. You
can start your day by joining in a free Tai Chi class on the sun deck (optional).
After breakfast our entire day will be spent enjoying the views of emerald topped
limestone peaks vertically rising from the waters of the mythical descending dragon.
There will be plenty of time to relax on board, while there will also be optional opportunities to
swim, kayak, visit caves, a floating fishing village and a local pearl farm.
In the evening there is a Vietnamese cookery demonstration, where you will be invited to join in.
Bai Tu Long
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DAY 13
After another morning spent photographing the beauty of this mystical place. We enjoy lunch on board before returning to port.

ROAD TRANSFER TO HOTEL IN HANOI
Hanoi
EVENING DAY 13 - 14
After arriving back from the cruise, we will check in to our hotel in Hanoi. You will have time to do some shopping in the local area before we meet for cocktails and go for a meal together.

DAY 14
We will arrange your free airport transfer for your flight home.
INCLUDED
  • 13 nights accommodation including breakfast
  • 3 day, 2 night Bay Tu Long cruise on board our own privately chartered boat, with your own private en suite cabin.
  • All meals on the 2 night cruise (2 breakfasts, 3 lunch, 2 dinner, all with tea/coffee)
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • Welcome drink at the orientation meeting
  • 2 internal flights
  • Local guide/translator in the Sapa region
  • Lunch in a Black Hmong ethnic group mountain village
  • All transport for location trips
  • Bicycle hire for the optional bike ride.
  • All entrance fees on location
  • All photographic tuition & guidance throughout the holiday
EXCLUDED
NOTE: The tour starts in Ho Chi Minh and ends in Hanoi
  • Flights to and from Vietnam
  • Meals/drinks not mentioned
  • Personal travel and camera insurance
  • Discretionary tips
EXCLUDED ON THE CRUISE
  • Alcoholic & soft drinks
  • Tips to boat crew and guide
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TUITION

During every photo tour we have time for reviews of your photography.

Most of your tuition will occur behind your lens out on location, with advice tailored to your own individual needs, taking your photography to another level by truly mastering your camera and understanding the craft of photography.

This travel photography holiday is about what you see, and developing your own unique style, nurturing your creativity.
We will also go over black and white photography techniques during the tour.

I will encourage you to develop an eye for the light and an appreciation of how it steeps a scene with atmosphere by getting you to the best locations for the best light.
"The tour was exceptionally well organised and planned, yet allowed flexibility for spontaneity as unexpected photography opportunities arose. Teaching was both pre-shoot and on location.
I learned so much on this trip and I know my photography has moved on to a higher level of skill. I would highly recommend DPH to any photographer.
Pauline: N Ireland
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YOUR ACCOMMODATION

As a travel photographer for 30+ years, Stephen knows about how important the location and comfort of a hotel is for photographers.

Each location you stay in there will be photography opportunities right from the doorstep of your hotel. We want you to be in the heart of the place not stuck away from it all.

You will always have your own ensuite double room to yourself, because you need room as a photographer. On the 3 day 2 night Bay Tu Long photography cruise you will also have your own ensuite cabin to yourself.

We never charge a single person supplement, why pay extra for a good night's sleep!

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE 8

FULL
2025
FEBRUARY 20th - MARCH 5th