Document Vietnam’s most legendary photographic locations during one spectacular journey with the Around Vietnam Photography Tour. This ten-day expedition traverses Vietnam’s varied terrain, covering more than two thousand kilometers across majestic mountains, fertile lowlands, and stunning shorelines.
Expedition Overview
- Length: 10 Days, 9 Nights
- Participant count: Max 6 travelers
- Route: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
- Physical demand: Moderate
- Operator: Vietnam Photo Tours LLC
Areas Visited
- North: Hanoi, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh
- Central: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An
- South Central: Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa
- Coast: Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, HCMC
Inclusions Provided
- All 5-star accommodations
- Private coach, flight & boat sessions
- 3 meals daily & entry fees
- Drone permits & model fees
- Photography mentor & guide
Vietnam: The 2,000-Kilometer Visual Odyssey
The Around Vietnam expedition is the ultimate cross-section of a nation’s soul. Spanning the entire length of the country, this journey is designed for the photographer who wants it all—the misty mountains of the north, the imperial echoes of the center, and the sun-drenched coastal dunes of the south. This isn’t just a tour; it is a high-speed evolution of your portfolio. We move through changing latitudes and cultures, documenting the transition from the ancient craft villages of the Red River Delta to the maritime heritage of the central coast and the nomadic desert vibes of the sand dunes. It is a masterclass in versatility, requiring you to shift from architectural precision in Hue to high-action coastal photography in Phu Yen. Over ten days, you will witness the landscape transform through your viewfinder, capturing the unified spirit of Vietnam in a single, epic narrative of color, light, and humanity.
Culture context: This trip connects the three major regions of Vietnam. You will experience the Confucian traditions of the North, the royal heritage of the Cham and Nguyen dynasties in the Center, and the vibrant, resilient coastal and southern cultures.
Photographer perspective: Under professional mentorship, you will master everything from street and portrait work to advanced drone composition. We focus on adapting your gear and technique to vastly different light environments, from the soft mists of Hanoi to the harsh, dramatic shadows of the southern dunes.
From Imperial Stones to Abandoned Echoes
The visual diversity of this tour is its greatest strength. We begin with the intimate—the vibrant reds of an incense village and the earthy textures of traditional soy sauce jars. This provides a grounding in cultural documentary work. However, as we fly to Hue, the scale shifts to the monumental. The Imperial City offers a playground of symmetry and history, where we use models in traditional Ao Dai to provide scale against centuries-old textures. This transition from “craft” to “royalty” allows you to practice two very different styles of environmental portraiture in a single expedition.
Beyond the heritage, we seek out the surreal. The abandoned water park in Hue provides a haunting, cinematic contrast to the vibrant streets of Hoi An. It is a lesson in finding beauty in decay and reclaiming nature. By the time we reach the central coast, the visual language shifts again to the sea. You will photograph the iconic Ro net fishing and the unique geometry of coracle boat-making. These locations are chosen specifically for their graphic quality, offering incredible opportunities for both ground-level storytelling and striking aerial photography from a drone.
Chasing Light Across Varying Latitudes
Timing the light is the backbone of this 2,000-kilometer sprint. In the North, we prioritize the soft, diffused morning light for our waterlily and craft village sessions. This “clean” light emphasizes the vibrant pigments of the incense and the delicate petals of the lilies. As we move south, the atmosphere changes. In the Central and Southern regions, the light becomes sharper and more dramatic. We harness the “Golden Hour” on the Perfume River and the sand dunes of Phan Rang to create long shadows and rim lighting that define the human form against the landscape.
The southern leg of the trip is a study in high-contrast photography. At the salt fields of Khanh Hoa, we work with the blinding white of the salt against the deep blue of the sky, a challenge for exposure that we turn into an artistic advantage. On the sand dunes, we wait for the sun to hit the perfect angle, silhouetting Cham women or shepherd flocks to create timeless, minimalist compositions. Our itinerary is designed to put you in these locations exactly when the light is at its most transformative, ensuring that the vast distance we cover is reflected in the high quality of your captures.
A Visual Symphony of People and Land
What defines the Around Vietnam collection? It is the human spirit woven into every frame. Whether it is a salt farmer’s silhouette at dawn, a child playing on the Binh Thuan dunes, or a master potter in a Cham village, we prioritize the people who inhabit these landscapes. You will learn to move from candid street photography in Hoi An’s lantern-lit alleys to directed, conceptual shoots with fishermen casting giant nets that look like golden webs. This variety ensures your portfolio is balanced and deeply narrative.
The finale of the tour is a visual celebration of motion and tradition. From the rhythmic mending of fishing nets to the “alchemy” of a fish-steaming workshop in Vung Tau, we document the grit and grace of Vietnamese life. By the time we reach the vibrant pulse of Ho Chi Minh City, you will have captured a complete spectrum of color: the crimson of Hanoi, the imperial gold of Hue, the turquoise waters of the coast, and the amber sands of the south. This journey is a complete visual document of a nation in motion, providing you with a body of work that truly captures the essence of Vietnam.
The Ultimate Journey Awaits
Covering the length of Vietnam is a challenge of logistics that we have turned into an art form. We handle the domestic flights, the 5-star lodging, and the drone permits so you can focus on the 2,000 kilometers of inspiration ahead. This is more than a photography tour; it is a definitive life experience. Join us as we chase the sun from the northern lakes to the southern dunes. Your ultimate portfolio is waiting to be captured.
Vietnam Photo Expedition Detailed Route
Day 1. Arrive in Hanoi and check into your hotel. Afternoon photography session at the vibrant Incense Village to capture the crimson bundles and traditional crafts. Conclude with a welcome dinner in the heart of town featuring local flavors.
Day 2. Morning journey to a traditional soy sauce village to photograph ancient fermentation techniques and aged barrels. Afternoon visit to a bamboo fishing trap village to capture the artistry of hand-woven traps and rural heritage.
Day 3. Dawn session at a Hanoi waterlily pond to capture morning light and reflections. Transfer to Hanoi Airport for a domestic flight to Hue. Prepare for an evening orientation in the historic imperial capital.’
Day 4. Morning shoot at Hue Imperial City with models in traditional Ao Dai among ancient palaces. Afternoon session capturing fishermen casting nets on the Perfume River. Evening floating candle ceremony on the water for long-exposure photography.
Day 5. Sunrise at the abandoned water park for cinematic and haunting imagery of nature reclaiming the structures. Drive to Hoi An for an afternoon of street photography in the ancient town and sunset lanterns by the river.
Day 6. Dawn boat trip on the river to capture the iconic Ro net fishing technique in the morning glow. Morning portrait session with local elders in the ancient town. Scenic drive southward to the coastal province of Phu Yen.
Day 7. Morning session documenting coastal fishing and net casting in Phu Yen. Visit a coracle boat-making village to photograph the traditional construction of circular vessels. Continue the journey to Khanh Hoa province for coastal vistas.
Day 8. Dawn at the Khanh Hoa salt fields to capture farmers working on the white expanse. Afternoon visit to a net sewing village. Sunset session in Phan Rang featuring shepherds and their flocks on the sand dunes.
Day 9. Sunrise at Nam Cuong sand dunes with Cham models in traditional attire. Visit a Cham pottery village to photograph artisans shaping clay by hand. Travel to Mui Ne for an evening shoot on the massive sand formations.
Day 10. Morning photography session at the Binh Thuan sand dunes with local children. Visit a steamed fish workshop in Vung Tau to capture the culinary craft. Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport by 3 PM for departure.
View full itinerary schedules and upcoming departures on our official Vietnam Photo Tours site.