TOUR TYPE:

Photography Tour

TOUR LENGTH:

3 Days

Departs from:

Hanoi

Coastal Traditions

Embark on an Unforgettable 3 day Photo Tour through the cultures of Vietnam's Northeast Seabord

Vietnam’s Northeast coastline boasts some of the most stunning seascapes in the country, as well as rustic fishing life, colorful craft villages, and salt farming practiced the pre-industrial way. While much of Vietnam develops at breakneck speed, the provinces along this coastline are like a portal to the past, where silk is still produced from worm to spool in one village, and fishermen’s wives spend their mornings mending nets on the town high street.

Foreign tourism is virtually unknown here, meaning warm and authentic encounters with the friendly locals, and plenty of chances for intimate portraits. And of course, the sea itself, vast and bright under the sun, offers ethereal imagery at spots like Infinity Beach. We explore all of this through our lenses on our Coastal Traditions photography adventure.

This is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from local lodges to coastal resorts. We’ll also taste the freshest seafood cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence.

Our close connection to the people of this region, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalleled access to the authentic life of local communities and the area’s most stunning vistas. As working photographers and journalists, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and photographic storytelling.

What to Expect

Traveling southeast out of Hanoi, we’ll first stop by a traditional Vietnamese village producing rare black incense. The locals here are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and we’ll be invited into homes and workshops to photograph all parts of this fascinating process. We’ll look at various aspects of visual storytelling on a theme, and in particular how to capture images of people in sometimes cluttered scenes. We then head to scenic salt farms along the coast, hunting for images of the workers collecting their day’s harvest in the sunset. It’s a great opportunity to play with reflections and leading lines, as the salt flats shimmer in the late afternoon light.

The next morning, we head straight for ‘Infinity Beach’, where we’ll enjoy awe-inspiring sunrise scenes, the vast sea stretching away into the distance. Local shellfish collectors fan out across the beach in their conical hats, making for striking subjects in this ethereal landscape. We’ll play with perspective and different shutter speeds to bring out the best of this unique scene. In the nearby town, we’ll photograph fishermen and women fixing their colorful nets, and a bustling fresh market by the docks. The early afternoon is spent shooting at an old rural brick factory, capturing light streaming through the ochre slats as the workers go about their tasks, before we move to Dong Chau beach for a sunset among the unusual rustic clam huts on stilts.

We have a choice the next day between returning to Infinity Beach or exploring Dong Chau further, and then we head inland for a last stop of the adventure. This is a fascinating craft village producing silk from golden silkworms, a rare opportunity to capture images of a living, soon-to-vanish tradition. We’ll capture a visual story of the process and people, a final snapshot of this unique coastal region and its traditions.

It all makes for an unforgettable photographic encounter with the landscapes, livelihoods and local people of northeast Vietnam.

What Makes This Tour Unique?

Authentic Encounters: Gain access to local communities and traditions through our deep connections and years of experience in the region.
Expert Guidance: Led by seasoned photographers and journalists, this tour offers hands-on mentoring, helping you refine your skills in storytelling and composition.
Stunning Locations: From glimmering salt flats to atmospheric beaches, and from vibrant markets to traditional craft workshops, the Northeast coast is a canvas for creativity.
Comfortable Accommodations: Enjoy a mix of cozy lodges and coastal resorts, paired with Vietnam’s celebrated seafood cuisine.

Tour Information

Recommended Equipment

Digital Camera
Drone
Selections of lens
Cable release
Tripod
Memory cards
CPL & ND Graduated filters
Laptop/tablet
Storage device

What's included

Hotel Pickup and Dropoff
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
All transportation
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
local guides and government permits
Photography Workshop with our photographer leader

What's not included

Gratuities
Alcoholic beverages

Tour Length

3 Days / 2 Nights
Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 minutes prior to this time

Level of Difficulty

Moderate Physical activity (Walking)

Seasonality

This is a small group tour to the Northern East Coast of Vietnam and is dependent on good weather and tidal times, preferably run in the summer from May to September. The tour can be tailored to your needs and run in conjunction with other tours like Ninh Binh

Photography teaching

On a photo tour with us, your experience, images and development as a photographer are the priority. Before the tour, we’ll send you a short questionnaire to find out your interests, style and photography knowledge. Tips to improve your pictures will be provided by our professional photographer guides throughout the trip, and we’ll have regular reviews, individually and as a group. While enjoying a rich variety of photographic opportunities on tour, you’ll gain valuable insights on how to get the best out of your images, and how to take your skills to the next level.

FAQ

Do you offer any discount

Yes. We offer a 5% early bird discount on all featured tours if bookings are received 12 months in advance of departure.

What is the Payment Process

We take an initial holding deposit of $500 per person, which is non-refundable (unless we call off the trip for some reason). The remainder is due 3 months in advance of the departure date. We also confirm tour departure at this point, and people can go ahead and book flights.

What are you Cancellation Fees

Our Cancellation policy includes the following fees and cut of periods:

90 to 61 days before departure is 25% of the trip price.

60 to 46 days before departure is 50% of the trip price.

45-0 days prior to departure is 100% of the trip price.

What is the maximum group size

We take a maximum number of 5 guests per 1 tour leader. With larger groups we will split between 2 tour leaders.

Do I need insurance

Yes, you do. You will be asked to sign a legally-binding liability disclaimer before tour departure

Can my non-photographer partner and / or kids come along

Yes, they are most welcome.

What should I bring

Please see the What to Bring list included in each itinerary

Should I book my flight to arrive one or two days before the tour starts

It’s a good idea to do this, as you’ll have a chance to get over the jetlag and do a bit of exploring before the action begins. We can help you arrange accommodation and adventures.

Is everything included

Yes, apart from your own shopping and alcohol (but we’ll cover some wine and beer along the way, don’t worry)

How late can I book

As early as possible – tours book up fast

How late can I cancel and retrieve my payment

Please see terms and conditions included on each tour page

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Vietnam in Focus Limited – License No: 0105989870 – 7th Floor, Hanoi Creative Building, no 1 Luong Yen street, Bach Dang, Hai Ba Trung district, Hanoi, Vietnam.