Ninh Binh Explorer & Tam Coc authentic Photo Adventure

Photography Day Tours

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Vietnam in Focus run acclaimed photography tours throughout Vietnam and Indochina.

Ninh Binh Photography Day Tour

Experience Ninh Binh, Tam Coc Nature Reserve & some fascinating craft villages

Discover classic lowland northern Vietnam on this one day photo adventure to Ninh Binh province. Our trip includes a two-hour boat journey at Tam Coc Nature Reserve, or ‘Ha Long Bay on land’, a photographic exploration of historic Bich Dong Pagoda, and a climb to Hang Mua, with incredible views over the paddies and river valleys of this beautiful region. We’ll also be exploring some of the area’s fascinating craft villages to photograph the production of traditional ceramic art and stone carving. Learn the art of great travel and documentary photography while exploring one of northern Vietnam’s most scenic and culturally-rich provinces.

Ninh Binh Photo Tour in Detail

We start at 6 am, with hotel pick-up and departure by minibus for Ninh Binh. Arrival at Tam Coc should be around 7:30, and we’ll start with a boat trip through the valley and caves. We have time for short walks up to various vantage points, which is where we’ll be shooting some fantastic landscapes. We’ll also be able to capture images of Tam Coc’s boat operators, who continue the age-old tradition of rowing their vessels by foot.

Next, we’ll head to Hang Mua, and it’s a steep climb up 500 steps to shoot one of Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes. It’s worth the sweat, and we’ll take our time, with plenty of breaks along the way.

After lunch and coffee, we travel north to visit two fascinating craft villages. First stop is Ninh Van stone carving village, where we’ll capture images of locals carving incredible statues and headstones by hand. The stone is sourced from Ninh Binh’s many limestone karst mountains, and the villagers have carried on this craft for nearly a century. Then, it’s time to document the action at Gia Thuy ceramic village. We’ll photograph the traditional manufacture of pots using local clay, providing us with rich, atmospheric imagery.

Finally, we drive over to Van Long nature reserve. There are many villages in the area near the reserve, offering plenty of opportunities for pictures of rural life as the sun goes down. Farmers will be bringing in their cattle, buffaloes taking a dip in the rivers and schoolchildren cycling home along the dykes. It’s a fantastic way to wrap up this adventure through classic lowland Vietnam.

At 6:30pm, we hit the road back to Hanoi, with drop-off at around 8pm.

Learn the art of great travel and documentary photography while exploring one of northern Vietnam’s most scenic and culturally-rich provinces.

What to Expect

Ninh Binh is all about its landscape, lakes and caves, During the slow boat trip through the valley well be exploring landscape photography setting our selves up for the day to come, with ample portraits of villagers and the boat people of Tam Coc Valley. 

To reach the peaks and viewpoints for our spectacular landscape shots we’ll be hiking and climbing a fair bit of terrain. So you’ll need to be dressed appropriately and travelling light is essential.

Tour HighlightsPhotographic Highlights
Ninh Binh Province
Hung Mua Cave
Tam Coc Nature Reserve
Boat Trip
Pottery Village
Stone Carving Village
Van Long Nature Reserve
Rice Fields

Introduction to Landscape Photography
Camera Settings
Lens Options
Landscape Photography Workshop
Portraiture
Architectural Photography
Long Exposure Photography

Tour Length: Full Day 6am till 8pm
Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 minutes prior to this time

Level of Difficulty: Moderate Physical activity (Walking, Hiking, Climbing)

What’s IncludedWhat’s Excluded

Private Car
Non-alcoholic beverages
lunch
Professional Photographer Guide

Gratuities

Recommended Equipment

Hiking Shoes/Boots
Digital Camera or Film Camera
Memory Cards
Fully Charged Battery (spare batteries if available)
Cable Release
Graduated Neutral Density Filter
Circular Polarizer Filter
Variable Neutral Density Filter
Wide-Angle Zoom
Telephoto Zoom
Tripod

Reviews

Fun and informative
@Nick656
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Duc was an amazing and patient tutor. I am an enthusiastic amateur and he was happy to teach, answer all my questions and show me techniques to enable me to improve my photography. He was also knowledgeable about the area we visited and was happy to vary things according to my wishes. The day was very well organised, with a good combination of places to see & photograph. In addition, Duc has signposted me to useful on-line info & tutorials to help me further and also took some photos of me while i was concentrating on composing shots which was nice. I will look out for similar photo tours on my next holiday but Duc has set the bar very high for others to follow!
Pricing
$439

Per person

$290

Per Person

$199

Per Person
Group/Family
3-5 People

All Tours with Vietnam in Focus are Private. 

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All photos are taken on tour by previous guests and tour guides

Tour FAQ's

In the event of forecasted heavy rain, we’ll contact you to reschedule or cancel the tour and give you a full refund.  If it’s early morning and raining heavily, our guide will call you on the phone number you gave us to discuss options for postponement or cancellation.  In the event of cancellation we’ll issue a full refund.

Yes, you can.  We have a Nikon DSLR available to rent for $30 per tour including free memory card.  Please enquire on booking.

Yes, you do.  Vietnam in Focus is not liable to pay any costs associated with injury etc on our tours.

Yes, they can.  Costs (or free joining) depend on each tour, so please enquire on booking.

Yes, you can.  People often join our tours using film cameras.  You may not be able to edit in camera, but the composition tips are still basically the same.

Yes, you can.  Smartphone cameras are pretty amazing nowadays.

Training or guidance will be provided by our photographers throughout the tour. Our guides will tailor your learning experience depending on your interest, style and experience from amateurs to professionals we can provide simple techniques to improve your photography, gain further knowledge of your camera and lenses, as well as develop your photographic eye to capture that amazing shot.

Cross the coastal mountain pass, before exploring life at Lang Co Lagoon

Capture iconic landscapes from one of Vietnam's most scenic spots, stopping off along the way to document real local life. At Lang Co Lagoon, we have an up close encounter with communities that have plied their fishing trade here for generations.

Capture the action beside Saigon's tracks as trains roll in from the north

This quiet part of the city, surprisingly close to the centre, is like a snapshot from bygone times, with narrow, sleepy alleyways, vintage coffeeshops and Saigonese showing their traditional smiles and hospitality. Along the way, we’ll work on composition techniques and use of various settings to take your images to the next level.

Capture the action at Hanoi's wildest market

Welcome the day at the capital's historic wholesale trading spot, as couriers from the provinces provide city sellers with stock. We'll capture dawn breaking over Long Bien Bridge, before exploring the stalls below, offering endless opportunities for candid people photography. Along the way, we'll craft a dramatic visual story of daily life at Hanoi's oldest market.

Tailored Photography Tours

Want a little more from your visit to Vietnam, let us tailor your photographic adventure

Customize Your Photography Experience

Our unparalleled knowledge of travel and culture in Vietnam, and where and when to get the best shots, mean we are experts in designing tailormade photo tours.  We have planned and run tours for everyone from professional photographers on a mission to amateurs who want to get to know their cameras better on an adventure.  Each person and group is different, so once you’ve completed the few questions below, expect to answer a few more before we can create your ideal photographic adventure.

Ninh Binh Explorer

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