Thieves Market captivating Hanoi authentic street photography

Photography Day Tours

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

Into the Thieves Market

Capture the Charm of Hanoi's greatest hidden street markets: A Must-Visit City Tour for Street Photographers.

Venture deep into the “Thieves Market” One of Hanoi’s most intriguing and photogenic street markets on this atmospheric afternoon tour.

No-one knows exactly how long the ‘Sky Market’ or ‘Thieves Market’ has been in existence, but it has an immortal feel to it. Tiny stalls cram next to each other, selling everything under the sky, from motor parts to timber, spices to vintage electronics. That’s the reason for the first name. But traditionally, people also stop here first if looking for anything that’s gone ‘walkies’, giving it the second title.

All of this makes it a great place to get lost with your camera – a shadowy bazaar full of faces and strange offerings, afternoon sunlight streaming through the make- shift roof. The myriad stalls and alleyways provide readymade frames for decisive moments, and we’ll even wander into a century-old colonial HQ, now converted into a pensioners’ ping pong club. Along the way, you’ll put together a photographic story of life in one of Hanoi’s most fascinating markets.

Get ready to be inspired and create stunning visuals that tell the captivating story of authentic Hanoi on our masterful street photography experience.

What to Expect

Expect many street photography opportunities, with the market’s shopfronts, stalls and narrow alleyways providing a constant selection of frames. The friendly traders and other locals also make for willing portrait subjects, and this is a great opportunity to work on your approach to people photography. Deep in the bazaar, sunlight filters through the overhead awnings, giving your pictures a unique atmosphere. Changing light conditions both environmental and artificial, and objects moving through the cramped alleys, make exploring ISO, aperture and frame speeds a priority. 

Tour HighlightsPhotographic Highlights
Urban Housing
Flea Market
Wet Market
Ping Pong Club
Motorbike Parts Street
Camera Settings
Lens Options
Portraiture
Compositions
Context and Relationships
Framing

Tour Length: Half Day – 8:30am – 12:30pm
Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 minutes prior to this time

Level of Difficulty: Moderate Physical activity (Walking)

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 composition.

What’s IncludedWhat’s Excluded
Hotel Pickup
Non-alcoholic beverages
Professional Photographer Guide
Hotel Drop off
Gratuities

Recommended Equipment

Please select equipment that is available to you and that you’re comfortable with. Training and photography tips will be provided on tour by our professional photographers.

  • DSLR Camera / Film Camera / Smartpone
  • Memory Cards
  • Fully Charged Battery
  • Wide Angle or Standard Zoom Lens

Reviews

An authentic photo experience
A Tripadvisor Reviewer, Jul 2023
Read More
I got to go to the explore the Thieves market as the last part of a custom tour which included the lychee harvest and night markets. My guide for this part, Tung has a lot of knowledge about the area and knows how to interact with the locals. He also brought a lot of photography experience and helped me find new compositions in places I found difficult to work in. Even though I have lived and explored Hanoi for a few months, he could still show me some more hidden corners that I wouldn't have found by myself. I have been on multiple tours with ViF now and have yet to be disappointed by them.
Pricing
$159

Per person

$119

Per Person

$79

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.

Capture Vietnam’s capital after dark, from bustling markets to exotic food stalls on lowlit corners. capture the evening train passing though famous train street and experience the local cafe's and landmarks. Enhance your low light photography skills on this unique Evening Photo tour.
Discover daily life along Saigon’s canal network, including a floating village of houseboats, a thriving market and plenty of people photography with friendly locals.
Explore Tho Ha, a traditional riverside village renowned for its charming architecture and production of rice paper. A unique photo adventure along the Red River Delta

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.

Thieves Market

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