This photography tour is a carefully designed visual journey across Northern Vietnam, moving from dramatic border waterfalls and limestone valleys to ancient villages, river karst landscapes, tea plantations, and the iconic golden rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai. The route is structured around the best seasonal conditions in late September, when rice fields glow in peak color, mountain mist forms at sunrise, and rural life is at its most active.
The program combines grand landscapes, cultural environments, and agricultural patterns, giving participants a diverse and cohesive portfolio. Each day is timed around sunrise and sunset, when light, atmosphere, and activity create the strongest photographic opportunities. Travel days are planned to flow naturally between regions, with scenic stops and subjects along the way, so the journey itself becomes part of the creative process.
We begin in the remote province of Cao Bang, near the Chinese border, where karst mountains, river valleys, and Vietnam’s largest waterfall create powerful natural compositions. From there, the tour transitions to the Red River Delta and the limestone river systems of Ninh Binh, known for its tranquil waterways and towering rock formations. Traditional craft and rural villages add cultural depth before we move into the high mountains of Phu Tho, Tu Le, and Mu Cang Chai, home to some of the most spectacular rice terraces in Asia and communities whose daily life is closely tied to the land.
Throughout the tour, Daniel provides guidance on:
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Landscape composition in complex terrain
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Working with mist, layered mountains, and changing weather
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Drone perspectives in large-scale environments (where permitted)
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Environmental portraits in natural settings
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Using scale, human elements, and leading lines
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Building a coherent travel photography portfolio
This is not a fast sightseeing trip, but a photography-focused expedition, balancing iconic viewpoints with quieter locations that allow for creative exploration. The result is a rich visual story of Northern Vietnam’s nature, culture, and agricultural landscapes during their most photogenic season. This trip we focus on spectacular landscapes sometimes adding Human and culture elements in nature too!
Day 1
Meeting 8:00 am at Novotel hotel lobby. We do not book this hotel for the group – we recommend you to arrive you earlier a day or two, to enjoy Hanoi, get acclimated. You can choose any hotel in Old Quarter if you want to explore the busy street life of Hanoi. 8 am will be our departure time to the North, there will be no opportunity to wait longer. So we strongly encourage you to arrive to Hanoi day before.
We depart Hanoi in the morning and travel north toward Cao Bang Province, where the landscape gradually transforms from flat plains into dramatic limestone mountains and river valleys. A scenic lunch stop breaks the journey before we continue toward the Chinese border region, one of Vietnam’s most remote and visually striking areas. By late afternoon we reach Ban Gioc Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Vietnam, set against towering karst cliffs and surrounded by lush greenery. During sunset, warm side light illuminates the cascades while mist rises from the water, creating ideal conditions for long exposures and layered compositions. The scale of the falls combined with the surrounding mountains offers opportunities for both wide panoramic views and telephoto detail studies. Drone flights here are operated under local regulations, and our team arranges the necessary permits in advance so participants can work legally and safely. Overnight at Ban Gioc Saigon Hotel, conveniently located close to the waterfall.
Dinner included first day, breakfast and lunch are not included.
Day 2
We return to Ban Gioc before dawn to capture the waterfall in soft morning light, when cool tones, drifting mist, and calmer conditions create a completely different mood from sunset. After breakfast, we visit Phat Tich Truc Lam Pagoda, positioned on a hillside overlooking the border valley, where traditional temple architecture contrasts beautifully with the surrounding karst landscape and patchwork rice fields below. In the afternoon we explore Phong Nam Valley, a quiet agricultural region inhabited by Tay and Nung communities whose livelihoods revolve around rice cultivation and small-scale farming. At sunset, farmers, grazing livestock, and smoke from cooking fires often add subtle human elements to the vast landscape, creating strong storytelling opportunities within a natural environment. We stay again at Ban Gioc Saigon Hotel.
Disclaimer: Please note that Ban Gioc waterfall is located on the border between Vietnam China – we will arrange a special permit for the group, but it is subject to local regulations which we must follow. If one of the sides (Vietnam or China) will limit our permit we must oblige and use just cameras from the land! The rest of viewpoints are totally fine. All the photos to this announcement were made using this special permit.
Day 3
Sunrise begins in Phong Nam Valley, where early fog frequently moves between limestone peaks and farmland, producing layered atmospheric scenes ideal for telephoto compositions. Later we travel to God Eye Mountain (Núi Mắt Thần), one of Vietnam’s most unique geological formations, distinguished by a large circular hole through the mountain that resembles an eye. The surrounding grasslands, grazing animals, and open terrain provide excellent opportunities to explore scale, symmetry, and drone perspectives. In the evening we photograph from Vinh Quy Hill, known for its rolling hills, cultivated slopes, and gentle haze that softens the landscape into harmonious tonal layers. This area is less visited, offering clean, uncluttered compositions that emphasize shape and rhythm in the terrain. Overnight at Ba Quang Panorama, positioned for access to sunrise viewpoints.
Day 4
We capture our final Cao Bang sunrise from Vinh Quy Hill, revisiting the layered hills under new morning light to refine compositions and explore different interpretations of the same landscape. After breakfast we begin the journey back to Hanoi, descending from remote mountain regions into the Red River Delta. The transition from rural highlands to Vietnam’s capital highlights the diversity of environments covered during the tour. Upon arrival, we check in at the 5 star hotel in Hanoi, and have dinner together.
Day 5 – Traditional Craft Village near Hanoi and move to Ninh Binh
We’ll begin our day journey with a morning visit to the traditional incense village of Hanoi, where artisans have been hand-crafting incense sticks for generations. This unique and vibrant location provides a feast for the eyes, you can either use your camera or a drone to make a top bird-eye view of the iconic scene! Get ready to create award winning images that are truly special and that will evoke the senses long after you’ve left this magical place.
After the session, we begin our transfer south to Ninh Binh Province, often called “Ha Long Bay on land” due to its dramatic limestone karst formations rising from flat river plains.
We check in at Ninh Binh Legend Hotel, then continue to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is a network of rivers winding between limestone towers, caves, and lush vegetation. Traditional rowboats operated by local villagers move slowly through the waterways, offering unique low-angle perspectives.
Afternoon light here is soft and reflective, ideal for photographing:
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Limestone karsts mirrored in still water
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Boats as leading lines within the frame
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Cave entrances framed by vegetation
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Human scale within vast geological formations
Day 6
We begin the day before sunrise, heading out to capture the delicate beauty of Ninh Binh blooming waterlilies in the soft morning light. After spending time photographing this serene scene, we return to the hotel for a well-earned breakfast and some rest.
Later in the morning, we check out and continue our journey toward Duong Lam, one of Vietnam’s oldest villages, known for its preserved architecture and rural charm. After lunch, we immerse ourselves in local life, spending the afternoon photographing farmers at work and gaining insight into traditional village routines.
In the evening, we gather for dinner and reflect on a day filled with quiet moments, cultural encounters, and storytelling through photography.
Day 7
After an early departure from the hotel, we travel into the misty highlands of Long Coc. Here, rolling tea hills reveal themselves at sunrise, often wrapped in layers of fog — a dreamlike setting and one of the most photogenic landscapes in northern Vietnam.
Following breakfast, we continue deeper into the mountains, making our way toward Mu Cang Chai. After lunch along the route, we head to the Tu Le viewpoint, where the changing light of the late afternoon and sunset paints the valley in warm tones and dramatic shadows.
As the day comes to an end, we drive to our hotel, check in, and enjoy dinner together, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the mountains. Our resort for tonight is Garrya – epic 5 star resort in Mu Cang Cai.
Day 8
The day begins with an exhilarating motorbike ride to the iconic Mam Xoi viewpoint, one of Mu Cang Chai’s most celebrated photography spots. From this vantage point, terraced rice fields curve gracefully across the hillsides, often blanketed in soft morning mist. The early light provides the perfect conditions to capture sweeping panoramas and the intricate geometry of the terraces.
After the morning shoot, we return for a well-earned breakfast and some time to refresh before continuing the day’s explorations.
In the afternoon, we visit a traditional corn house, an essential part of local agricultural life. Here, we gain insight into the community’s farming practices and have the opportunity to photograph authentic rural architecture. We then continue to nearby rice terraces, where the warm glow of the afternoon sun highlights the textures and patterns of the fields. This is a prime time to capture the landscape’s depth and beauty as the light shifts across the hills.
The day concludes with dinner back at our hotel or a local guesthouse, where the peaceful mountain surroundings create a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a chance to share stories, review photographs, and enjoy the quiet of Mu Cang Chai’s highland evenings.
Day 9
We begin the day at sunrise in Lao Chai, one of the region’s most breathtaking terrace landscapes. As the first light of day sweeps across the valley, the rice fields glow in layers of gold and green, offering ideal conditions for both wide-angle vistas and close-up compositions of rural life.
After breakfast, we continue our journey into the enchanting bamboo forest of Pung Luong. Towering groves of bamboo create a serene, almost mystical atmosphere, with dramatic shafts of light filtering through the dense canopy. This location provides unique photographic opportunities that contrast beautifully with the open rice landscapes.
A traditional lunch is served at a local restaurant, allowing time to recharge before the afternoon session.
Following lunch, we travel to one of the most photogenic highlights of the tour — the horseshoe-shaped rice terraces. This rare natural formation curves gracefully around the hills, forming an extraordinary composition for landscape photography.
As golden hour sets in, we position ourselves to capture the terraces under the most flattering light of the day. The warm tones of the setting sun bring out the depth, textures, and patterns of the land, creating unforgettable images.
After the shoot, we return for dinner at our accommodation, where we unwind in the quiet of the mountains and prepare for the next day’s journey.
Day 10
After a final morning in the north, we check out of our hotel and begin the drive back toward Hanoi. The route offers one last chance to take in the sweeping mountain views, terraced fields, and glimpses of daily rural life along the way. We do not have organised sunrise shoot this morning – the views from hotel are stunning too, and you can relax in one of the best Vietnam 5 star resorts Garrya before the drive back.
Continuing onward, we transfer to Hanoi airport.
The tour finishes at Hanoi airport around 4-5 pm.
These are the photos of our resort Garrya where we stay last 3 nights:
Price: 6900 USD
Single supplement: 1000 USD (upgrade from twin to single room)
Where do we stay
In best resorts possible. In Mu Cang Chai we stay in amazing newly opened 5 star luxury resort Garrya. Traveling on a comfortable private bus – only all window seats (2 seats per person).
- Cao Bang: Ban Gioc Saigon
- Cao Bang: Vinh Quy Hill
- Hanoi: Grand Plaza
- Ninh Binh: Ninh Binh legend
- Phu Tho: Muong Thanh luxury
- Mu Cang Chai: Garrya
List of hotels is subject to change for a similar level depends on availability.
Photography Level
- Beginners and advanced photographers
- DSLR / mirrorless / drone support in some areas
- Workshop for editing, post-processing (via Lightroom and/or Photoshop)
Tour Includes
- best available hotel in remote locations and best hotels in Hanoi – TWIN based (share with another participant of the same gender), with single supplement upgrade to single is possible
- Private air-conditioned transportation for listed activities
- 3 standard meals
- coffee breaks
- Unlimited bottled water
- Site entry fees (if applicable)
- Model fees (if applicable)
- Photography guides
Tour Excludes
- International flight to arrive and depart from / to Vietnam
- Airport transfers
- Entry visa to Vietnam
- Travel insurance private (it is a must)
- Alcoholic beverages, mocktails etc extra drinks, personal expenses, tips
- Services and transportation are for listed activities only
- Charges will be applied for any additional requests
- Single supplement 1000 USD
Cancellation and Refund Policy
We strongly recommend you to get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:
Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop:
full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more :75% refund 60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
What to bring
Gear:
– DSLR or mirrorless camera with tripod and remote shutter release, its better to use spikes for your tripod
– A wide angle lens. For example, Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 17-40. Best lens for use in wide-angle scenes or architecture photography
– A middle-zoom lens such as a 24-70 mm
– A telephoto zoom lens, such as a 70-200 mm
– Drone is recommended
Wear:
– Waterproof and windproof jacket (light, will be around 20-30 C)
– Waterproof pants
– Warm down-jacket and thermal pants
– Casual clothes for dinners and lunches and photography workshops
Tour leaders – Trần Tuấn Việt and Daniel Kordan
To book a tour please fill up the form below.
Trần Tuấn Việt (Tran Tuan Viet) is an award-winning Vietnamese photographer and internationally published visual-storyteller, currently based in Hanoi, Vietnam. Being passionate about photography since 2007, Viet offers in his photographs the beauty of his motherland.
Devoted to dedication and creativity, Viet’s work is being commissioned by reputed clients including Google, Canon, Honda, Samsung, Hyundai, vivo, Huawei, etc. Viet’s photos are also widely published by renowned media outlets such as National Geographic, Discovery, Smithsonian, Forbes, CNN, The Guardian, etc.
Honored to be called “the photographer who brings the images of Vietnam to the world” (Vietnam News Agency, VnExpress, Tuổi Trẻ, Dân Trí, etc…), Viet uses photography to tell the world the beauty of Vietnam.
