The Art and Soul of Northern Vietnam with David Julian
Join Dave and his expert guiding partners for a unique photography journey into the art and soul of Northern Vietnam.
Our focus will be to capture the beauty of the land and the spirit of its people in an exciting range of locations. With our patient guidance, photographers will learn new skills in seeing, active composition and connecting with locals. We’ll tour Vietnam’s chaotic streets, colorful markets, remote tribal villages, expansive valleys, terraced fields, plus spontaneous discoveries along the way. Our bilingual guides will help us access and create storytelling photographs of street vendors, artisans, performers and hill tribes.
This tour is for adventurous travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences that expand the mind while opening the heart. Bring any digital camera you are familiar with, or just join us using the simplicity of your smartphone. Non photographers are welcome to join us— they just have to endure our daily obsession with light!
2023 Tour Images
Itinerary
Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival
We recommend that participants arrive 1-2 days beforehand to acclimate, rest up and wander the neighborhood shops. We will hold our orientation meeting and welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2 – Hanoi Explorer
We hit the ground running with our Ultimate Hanoi Photo Tour. Starting at first light, we explore a lesser-known section of Train Street, capturing dramatic scenes as locals begin their day along the tracks. From here, we move to the Thieves Market, a gritty and vibrant maze of vendors selling everything from salvaged electronics to old war relics—perfect for street-style storytelling. In the afternoon, we will visit the Quang Phu Cau incense village, where bright red incense sticks are laid out in stunning patterns for drying. With guidance from your photographer guides, you’ll learn to work with symmetry, color, and natural light for striking compositions.
After an early dinner, we transfer to Hanoi Railway Station and board the Chapa Express—a comfortable overnight train to Lao Cai in private two-berth cabins. Time to rest and dream of northern highlands
Day 3 – Sin Suoi Ho
We will arrive early in Lao Cai and, after breakfast in Sapa, hit the road west, winding through misty valleys and jagged mountains toward Lai Chau province. Along the way, we stop to photograph harvest scenes in the fields—farmers wading through golden rice paddies with sickles in hand—and do impromptu portraits with tribal traders on the roadside in bold traditional dress. After lunch in Lai Chau city, we take the winding road up to Sin Suoi Ho, passing through beautiful valleys of rose plantations and rice terraces. After checking into our accommodation, we’ll enjoy a gentle photo walk down through this quiet Hmong village. Late afternoon golden light on the rice terraces at the edge of the village provides stunning opportunities for wide-angle landscapes.
Day 4 – Sin Suoi Ho
We rise early to capture a vast sea of clouds (weather-allowing) stretching out across the valley under our accommodation. Mountain peaks and distant treelines poke out of the white cloud. After breakfast, we’ll take a walk through the village, visiting some local houses along the way. This is a good pportunity to capture images of daily Hmong home life, with signs of the rice harvest – tools, hreshing
machines and bulging bags of rice – in evidence everywhere.
In the afternoon, we’ll venture out further to an enormous bowl of low-lying paddies, surrounded on all sides by towering peaks. The air is cool and clear, and locals are at work in the fields—offering beautifully lit scenes perfect for capturing motion, symmetry, and interaction with the landscape. This is also a fantastic spot for drone photography, capturing the cell-like patterns of the golden paddies.
Day 5 – Sin Suoi Ho – Lai Chau
We enjoy a relaxed morning to review images or take a final stroll through Sin Suoi Ho before departing for our accommodation in Lai Chau. On the way down, we’ll stop for photo opportunities in the tribal villages and on the many vantage points by the road.
We’ll have a couple of hours to relax at our hotel in Lai Chau before heading out again in the afternoon. This time, we’re following the river valley towards the town of Muong So. We’ll park the minivan and explore this beautiful area on foot as the sun sets, with roadside chess-players, kids cycling home from school, and of course the fertile fields busy with harvesters.
Day 6 – Sin Ho
This morning, we will head into the mountains to Sin Ho, capturing many incredible high-altitude landscapes along the way. In Sin Ho we’ll visit the small minority market, a gathering of Dao, Tay and Hmong people. You’ll work on environmental portraits, motion, and expressive detail. Look out for the tribal traders selling herbs for traditional medicine via smartphone and the wonders of e-commerce.
In the afternoon, we visit Pa Tan, a valley filled with rice paddies, where farmers in conical hats move like brushstrokes across the fields. As the sun drops, we’ll get in amongst the action, capturing images of the locals bringing in their crop.
Day 7 – Dao San Tribal Market
Sunday means Dao San market, an authentic tribal market nestled in the borderlands. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and culture—Hmong, Ha Nhi, Dzao, and Lu ethnic groups in full regalia. Make sure to explore all corners of this bustling bazaar, including the smoky food alley, ackstreets packed with gossiping grandmas, and the local pub of friendly connoisseurs enjoying a cup or two. This is a photographer’s dream for capturing portraits, interaction, light and shadow, and documentary series. We then travel back to our hotel, where we’ll have lunch, then an afternoon to review images and relax.
Day 8 – Lai Chau to Mu Cang Chai
We’ll enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel before hitting the road south. On the way, we stop by a Hmong blacksmith’s workshop to capture images of the craftsmen fashioning knives in their forge. After lunch among the tea hills of Tan Uyen, we climb higher into the mountains, taking a detour to a remote valley offering jaw-dropping views. A river tumbles down the mountainside, through volcanic rock formations and scattered villages, and we’ll get as far as we can by car to capture images of Hmong life among the crags.
We arrive in Mu Cang Chai in the late afternoon and relax for the evening.
Day 9 – Mu Cang Chai
Dawn finds us high among the stepped terraces—views synonymous with Vietnam’s northern rice harvest. Some spots have become victims of their own popularity, but still afford breathtaking landscape opportunities. Breakfast is back at the ecolodge before we head out again for a visit and portrait shoot with a Hmong family. We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at their home too.
In late afternoon, we’ll be capturing that golden sunset light in another arena of beautiful stepped terraces.
Day 11 – Tu Le
Enjoy the buffet breakfast at the resort! After a relaxed morning and group photo review session, we focus on building out your harvest season story—refining selections, receiving feedback.
We are then free to enjoy the resort’s natural hot springs. We’ll have an optional sunset photowalk through a nearby village.
Day 12 – Xoi Farmstay
We depart Tu Le and head to Xoi Farmstay, located in a valley surrounded by forest and fields. Along the way we’ll come across busy plywood producing factories, an interesting subject for documentary and people photography.
In the afternoon, we photograph local forest workers and farmers, building a series of environmental portraits and candid scenes. We may also venture up to a secluded forest waterfall on foot.
Day 13 – Xoi Farmstay
Time for an early morning photo walk. The area is blessed with beautiful rice paddies, and we’ll spend today exploring the area on foot and by bicycle, enjoying and photographing classical Vietnamese rural life.
Our last night in the highlands is quiet and meaningful, offering time to reflect and relax.
Day 14 – Xoi Farmstay to Hanoi
This morning we’ll enjoy our final tribal market of the trip, in the nearby town of Lam Thuong. Last chance to capture all the beguiling color and chaos with our cameras. We set off back to Hanoi after breakfast, arriving in the capital in late afternoon.
After checking into our hotel, we’ll enjoy a group dinner in the Old Quarter.
Day 15 – Hanoi
We’ll have a laid back morning, enjoying a French Quarter breakfast before a final photo review session. Depending on arrangements, guests may fly out today, or relax before their extensions begin the following morning.
Testimonials
“An adventure of discovery every day. Dave’s style of leadership, attention to detail and patient instruction allows travelers to experience the culture on a macro level (pun intended), while improving photographic skills.
I appreciate how Dave organizes destination workshops because of his keen interest in understanding people and his sensitivity to cultures. He offers insights through background information while emphasizing the importance of exploring and discovering on our own.
Dave works very hard to assure everyone has a great experience, culturally as well as photographically. He is insightful, patient, generous with his expertise and with the small group size, travel is easy and comfortable and there is time to share ideas snd critiques.
Dave is an incredibly gifted photographer and a very patient teacher. Traveling with him was not only an amazing photographic experience but also a chance to know his generosity of spirit and the way he handles challenges that came up. I’ll travel with him again for sure.” Junko, USA
“This is THE tour to take if you want to know and photograph the culture, the people, and the vibe of Vietnam. Along with Dave, our experiences were organized and hosted by some very knowledgeable and personable guides, although I would prefer to call them friends now, after our journey.” John, USA
What's included
- Airport immigration assistance, transfers or facilitation when arriving beyond our hours
- Accommodations during our workshop tour dates in hotels or home stays.
- All group meals (and their gratuities) are included.
- All destination transportation by deluxe van, and small boats when visiting waterways.
- Pre-trip group meeting via Zoom in early September (date/time TBA via Email).
- Orientation: required meeting at the hotel or offices. Get inspired and learn what’s next
- Daily location and photographic guidance as indicated in the Itinerary
Snacks, local fruits and bottled water are available throughout the workshop - Continuous assistance with your photography by Dave and his Vietnamese guide.
- Professional Lightroom developing workflow and tips when time allows.
- Post-trip photo sharing Zoom and optional image critique
its
What's not included
- Airfare to and from Hanoi
- Extra hotel accommodations
- Personal snacks and extra drinks
- Credit Card payment surcharges
- Travel Insurance (required)
- Personal shopping
- Extra travel, lodging and taxi services
- Extension : Coastal Traditions
- Additional guidance beyond tour dates