While the big cities of the country are intense, life in the rural areas continues at a different pace, preserving their ancient traditions. From the unique beauty of rice terraces in the mountains to the traditional fishing by the sea, Vietnam is a true gem in Southeast Asia, offering many opportunities to capture the everyday life and the stunning landscapes.
Main information
Date 21 to 30 August 2025
Starting in Hanói
Ending in Hoi An
Group size Up to 8
Investment
Shared bedroom 3.500 USD per person
Single bedroom 4.000 USD per person
Included
• Guided by photographer Victor Lima
• Local photographers guides
• Accommodation with breakfast
• Private transportation
• Domestic flight from Hanoi to Hoi An
• 14 meals (lunch and dinner)
• Entrance fees to all attractions on our itinerary
Highlights
The centuries-old Incense Village
Bac Ha and the colorful Can Cau market
The incredible Muong Hum valley
The Muong Hum ethnic market
The rice terraces and the fantastic YTy Valley
Ta Giang Phin village
Hanoi and the old quarter
Hue, Lang Co and Tam Giang lagoons
The preserved city of Hoi An
The Expedition
This trip will take us to the most special spots in the northern mountains and the incredible, still-preserved coastline in central Vietnam. We will have the opportunity to explore street markets with different ethnic groups, capture the beauty of rice terraces, farmers, and buffaloes plowing the fields. The women weaving bamboo baskets and experience the artisanal production of colorful incense. Of course, we cannot miss the traditional fishing on the coast and the spectacular lagoons during sunrise and sunset.
Our adventure begins in Hanoi with a delightful welcome lunch and a detailed overview of our exciting itinerary.
In our first afternoon, we'll take a photo tour through Hanoi's Vintage Neighborhood, an area that offers a captivatingly vibrant daily life.
The following day, we'll journey to a centuries-old village renowned for its traditional incense-making. Witness the artistry as fragrant incense sticks are meticulously bundled, dyed, and sun-dried, creating a breathtaking sea of vibrant colors.
Next, we'll ascend into the mountains to the bustling town of Bac Ha, where the vibrant Can Cau Market awaits. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of local life as you encounter colorful Dzao people, unique handicrafts, and aromatic spices. We'll continue our exploration to the awe-inspiring Muong Hum Valley, known for its ethnic market and stunning landscapes. Capture unforgettable images of the valley's rice terraces and quaint villages.
As we make our way back towards Hanoi, we'll seize opportunities to photograph the daily lives of the locals in picturesque villages like Ta Giang Phin.
The second leg of our journey takes us to the charming city of Hoi An. Witness the vibrant energy of a bustling fishing village as the sun rises, and capture the timeless beauty of Hue, Lang Co, and Tam Giang lagoons.
In our last day, we will photograph the fishing nets on the river at sunrise, a truly magnificent view and we will also go to a local market to capture the hustle and bustle of daily life.
To optimize our time and provide a more immersive experience in Vietnamese culture, we have included most meals in carefully selected locations. This will allow us to focus on what truly matters: experiencing Vietnamese culture and taking amazing photos, without worrying about searching for restaurants. In larger cities like Hanoi and Hoi An, we have not included meals as there will be various options available.
What’s not included
• Your photographic equipment (camera or cellphone)
• Drinks and other meals
• Accommodations outside our itinerary
• Vietnam entry visa
• Travel insurance (mandatory for entry into the country)
• International flights
• Customs and/or airport fees
• Other activities on your free day
What should I bring?
• Camera or cellphone with a camera
• Memory cards
• Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Sunscreen, hat, and a reusable water bottle
• USD in cash and a card
Documentation
- Vietnam entry visa
- Passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the travel date
Detailed itinerary below!
Request your spot
Would you like to discover an authentic Vietnam? We’d love to hear from you :)
Itinerary
Day 1 August 21th
Welcome lunch + Hanoi Photo Tour
12.30pm Welcome lunch and itinerary presentation.
In the afternoon, we'll take a photo tour through Hanoi's Vintage Neighborhood. This area offers a captivatingly vibrant daily life: bustling markets, improvised cages, quiet sidewalk tea stalls, and so many more scenes that seem frozen in time.
Overnight - TBD (Hanói)
Day 2 August 22th
Incense Village + Bac Ha
In the morning, we'll visit the traditional Incense Village with a centuries-old tradition of making incense, located 1 hour and 30 minutes from Hanoi.
The incenses are tied in bundles to be dyed and then dried under the sun. The red patterns created by these bundles are unique, and their beauty increases as the sun rises and the workers start moving into this red sea. We return to have lunch in Hanoi and then travel to the mountains, arriving in the city of Bac Ha.
Overnight - Sao Mai Bac Ha
Day 3 August 23th
Can Cau Market + Muong Hum
We will visit one of the most colorful markets in the Lao Cai province. It's a cultural experience that will yield many surprising photographs of local daily life. After that, we head to the incredible Muong Hum valley.
We'll stop for lunch on the way and explore the region in the afternoon, searching for that incredible light with the beautiful rice terraces as the backdrop
Overnight - Suoi Muong Hum
Day 4 August 24th
Muong Hum Market + Y TY
This morning, our photographic destination is the Muong Hum market. The majority of people there are the Dzao, wearing colorful clothes, and the market is full of interesting objects and different scents everywhere. In the afternoon, we'll photograph the beautiful landscapes and villages along the route that connects Muong Hum to our next destination, the Y Ty valley, with its impressive rice terraces, located close to the Chinese border
Overnight - Dung Vang Hotel
Day 5 August 25th
Y TY + Ta Giang Phin
We'll wake up early to capture the beautiful morning light entering the mountains and illuminating the valleys. We'll also stop at some strategic locations to photograph the daily life of the people, and in the afternoon, we'll visit the Ta Giang Phin village
Overnight - Pnue Ngu Chi Son Lodge
Day 6 August 26th
Ta Giang Phin - Hanói
We'll take a morning walk through the Ta Giang Phin community and then head to Sapa for lunch.
In the afternoon, we return to Hanoi and you will have the evening free.
Overnight - TBD (Hanói)
Day 7 August 27th
Hanói - Hoi An
Free morning in Hanoi. You can photograph the old town, go shopping, or simply relax at the hotel.
In the afternoon, we'll take a flight to the ancient city of Hoi An, a gem in the central region of the country.
Overnight - TBD (Hoi An)
Day 8 August 28th
Hoi An + Hue
We will photograph during sunrise in one of the busiest fishing villages in Vietnam. It's a great opportunity to capture them in action and take portraits of them arriving with the fish.
After lunch, we'll head to Hue, stopping at Lang Co lagoon to photograph during sunset.
Overnight - Nhà Nghỉ Newlife
Day 9 August 29th
Hue + Tam Giang
We'll wake up early to visit Tam Giang lagoon and photograph the fishermen returning from the sea while it's still dark. In the afternoon, we'll visit some villages near Hoi An, offering many opportunities to capture local daily life and landscapes.
Overnight - TBD (Hoi An)
Day 10 August 30th
Hoi An
We will take you to photograph the fishing nets on the river at sunrise, a truly magnificent view.
After we will go to a local market for coffee and breakfast. This is the time to capture the hustle and bustle of a busy local market.
12:00 PM - End of our trip