Vietnam Photography Tour

Day 1 | Arrival in Hanoi – Old Quarter & Long Bien Bridge

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by your FocusXTravel guide and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi’s city center.
(Standard check-in from 14:00; early check-in subject to availability.)

In the afternoon, we begin with a gentle warm-up photography walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, an ideal introduction to Vietnam’s street life. Capture layered street scenes, vendors, cyclists, and spontaneous daily interactions.
As light softens, we photograph the iconic Long Bien Bridge, its weathered structure offering powerful compositions of urban history and motion.

Dinner is arranged independently.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today’s journey leads into the world of Vietnam’s traditional craft villages.

We begin at Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where brilliant red incense sticks are sun-dried in striking circular patterns. This location offers exceptional opportunities for color, form, aerial-style compositions, and environmental portraits, deeply rooted in Vietnam’s spiritual life.

Continue to Chuong Village, famed for its hand-made Non La (conical hats). Observe artisans stitching palm leaves and bamboo frames, ideal for documentary storytelling, detail shots, and intimate portraits.

Late afternoon brings us back to Hanoi for a dramatic urban contrast at Train Street, where life unfolds mere inches from active railway tracks—an extraordinary setting for street and lifestyle photography.

Overnight in Hanoi.

This morning we travel to Duong Lam Ancient Village, a rare living museum of northern Vietnam. Wander through laterite alleyways, banyan-shaded courtyards, village wells, pagodas, and centuries-old wooden homes.

Photographic highlights include textured walls, weathered doors, village elders, daily rituals, and quiet moments steeped in nostalgia.

After lunch, continue to Long Coc Tea Hills in Phu Tho Province. Known as one of Vietnam’s most poetic landscapes, Long Coc’s rolling tea hills dissolve into mist, creating layered compositions at every turn. Engage with Muong ethnic tea farmers, capturing both sweeping landscapes and authentic daily life.

Overnight in Long Coc.

Before dawn (around 04:00–05:00), we rise for one of the tour’s most magical moments. From elevated viewpoints, photograph mist drifting through tea hills, soft sunrise light, and farmers beginning their day—an ethereal blend of landscape and human presence.

After breakfast and additional village photography, we journey toward Tu Le Valley, stopping to capture rural life and golden-hour countryside scenes.

Continue to Mu Cang Chai, arriving in time for dinner.

Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

Mu Cang Chai is a masterpiece of human–nature harmony, especially during harvest season (late September–early October) when terraces glow in shades of gold.

We begin at the legendary Mam Xoi Viewpoint, capturing sunrise over sculpted rice fields. Visit a traditional home adorned with drying corn—perfect for environmental portraits and cultural details.

In the afternoon, explore additional terrace viewpoints before concluding at the renowned Horseshoe Rice Terraces, where warm sunset light sculpts the landscape into dramatic forms.

Overnight in Mu Cang Chai.

An early start rewards us with sunrise over Lao Chai’s cascading rice terraces, followed by a visit to a H’Mong family home. Capture daily routines, textiles, architecture, and subtle human expressions.

After this unforgettable highland experience, we drive back to Hanoi, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning visits to Thu Sy Village and Ban Village reveal timeless rural architecture—dark-tiled roofs, three-room houses, and bamboo-lined paths.

Photograph elderly villagers weaving traditional fish traps, quiet conversations, and authentic village life untouched by tourism.

In the afternoon, return to Hanoi for a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, followed by a walking exploration of the historic 36 Guild Streets. Pause at Ba Da Pagoda, a hidden spiritual sanctuary ideal for contemplative imagery.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today we explore Tho Ha Village, one of Vietnam’s best-preserved craft villages. A short ferry crossing leads to narrow alleys and ancient homes.

Photograph rice paper production, bamboo drying racks, lively workshops, village markets, and warm local interactions—rich material for documentary storytelling.

On the return journey, stop at Bo Da Pagoda, a unique ancient complex with a serene garden temple housing the ashes of over 1,400 monks and nuns.

After lunch, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for an evening flight to Da Nang, then onward to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Early morning photography focuses on fishermen casting nets, unloading boats, and trading seafood along Hoi An’s waterways—dynamic scenes filled with movement and emotion.

Continue on foot to a fish sauce factory and local boatyard, capturing traditional livelihoods.

Later, cycle through Hoi An Ancient Town, photographing iconic yellow façades, lantern-lined streets, and intimate daily rhythms.

In the afternoon, visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village, where artisans shape clay by hand using centuries-old techniques.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Begin the day in the tranquil Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, photographing palm-lined waterways and reflections. Enjoy a basket boat ride with local fishermen while learning traditional fishing methods.

In the afternoon, visit The Timing Masks Workshop, led by renowned artisan Bui Quy Phong. Photograph the mask-making process and paint your own Tuong opera mask, blending creativity, culture, and portraiture.

Overnight in Hoi An.

At dawn, visit Binh Minh Fish Market, where the first light reveals a vibrant choreography of boats, baskets, buyers, and sellers—an ideal finale for storytelling photography.

After breakfast, transfer to Da Nang International Airport for departure.

Thank you for joining the Vietnam Photography Tour with FocusXTravel.
We look forward to welcoming you on your next photographic journey through Vietnam.