Vietnam Photo Tour

This is a tentative schedule, may not be exactly as shown here:

Day 1 – Hanoi (D)

Upon arrival in Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you will check-in and relax for the afternoon.

After the welcome meeting and orientation, we will head out to dinner at a local restaurant for some traditional Vietnamese cuisine. For those that want to get right to it, we’ll have an optional night photoshoot around the lake.

Day 2 – Hanoi (B, L, D)

After an early morning shoot at a local flower market, it’s back to the hotel for a delicious breakfast. The rest of the day will be spent exploring two nearby villages, one that does metalwork and another that specializes in pottery. You will likely not see another tourist all day, that’s how we roll!

We’ll head back to Hanoi for blue hour and dinner near our hotel.

Day 3 – Hanoi (B, L, D)

Today we’ll visit and photograph the Temple of Literature and do a walking tour of the Old French Quarter of Hanoi. Later we’ll shoot sunset and blue hour at one of the temples.

The evening meal will be a menu of local food to introduce you to some of Vietnam’s most popular dishes.

Day 4 – Hanoi > Ninh Binh (B, L, D)

The day will begin early with an optional trip to photograph Long Biên Bridge. The historic cantilever bridge connects Hoan Kiem and Long Bien across the Red River. It makes for a magical early morning photo shoot.

Returning to the hotel for breakfast, we’ll collect our belongings and make our way to Ninh Binh where we’ll take a late afternoon boat ride to enjoy the fresh air and highlands. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Day 5 – Ninh Binh (B, L, D)

Our fifth day will be spent exploring all this area has to offer. The exact schedule will be determined by the group preferences but may include visiting a cave or two, roaming a local market, stop at a bird park with over 4000 birds, local fruit orchards, or going up the 450+ steps to see the view atop Flying Dragon mountain (optional).

The evening will be time to relax at the hotel where you may choose to take a swim or get a spa treatment (not included).

Day 6 – Ninh Binh > Hanoi > Lao Cai (B, L, D)

After a short tour and jungle trek in the Cuc Phuong National Park we prepare for a day of traveling. After lunch, we will travel back to Hanoi by late afternoon.

After dinner, we will be catching the overnight train to Lao Cai with luxury cabins featuring 2 berths each.

Day 7 – Lao Cai > Can Cau > Bac Ha (B, L, D)

Upon our train arriving in Lao Cai and after breakfast, we make our way to the Saturday Can Cau market. It’s nestled on a hillside in a remote area of Northern Vietnam and might be the highlight of the trip for you as it was for many people on the last tour.

We’ll visit Hoang A Tuong’s castle at a local village before arriving at our homestay in Bac Ha for the night.

Day 8 – Bac Ha > Sapa (B, L, D)

After enjoying breakfast together at the hotel we will have time to wander the Sunday Bac Ha Market for a mid-morning photo shoot. You will see everything from fruit and vegetables to livestock and furniture (and everything else you can imagine) at this market.

In the afternoon, we will travel to Sapa where we will spend the next few days.

Day 9 – Sapa (B, L, D)

Today we’ll spend the day exploring this unique region and will meet and photograph some of the local Red Dao and Black Hmong tribal people.

Sunset over the rice terraces will give you an opportunity to get some spectacular photos and a chance to just breathe and take it all in. Dinner will be served in our eco-lodge retreat.

Day 10 – Sapa (B, L, D)

Today is a chance to visit more of the surrounding villages or you could choose to rest and relax at the lodge and just enjoy the quiet and beauty all around you.

Day 11 – Sapa > Mu Can Chai (B, L, D)

After enjoying sunrise at our lodge and breakfast together, we will travel to Mu Can Chai, a four hour drive through Tram Ton Pass. Witness some of the most stunning mountainous landscapes you’ll ever see. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph beautiful terraced fields, enjoy the fresh air and magnificent landscapes.

Day 12 – Mu Can Chai (B, L, D)

Today we will enjoy a scenic treck along the small paths and back roads hunting down the scenic rice paddy terraces the area is so well known for.

Day 13 – Mu Can Chai > Hanoi (B, L, D)

After checking out, we spend the day traveling back to Hanoi visiting some local villages along the way. These villages boast 15th-century houses, pagodas, statues, and sculptures such as the statue of Buddha and of the Eight Vajra Deities.

Then it’s a bittersweet time as we’ll enjoy our final farewell dinner together before you fly home the next day (or continue your adventure in Vietnam).

Day 14 – Travel Home (B)

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel your transport awaits to take you to Hanoi airport to begin your journey home. Alternatively, you can choose to extend your trip, at your own expense, and stay on a few more days in Hanoi (we recommend a 1-2 night trip to Halong Bay).