Gods of the Sea
Discover the Rich Cultures of Vietnam's Southern Coast
All aboard for an unforgettable journey into the traditional cultures along Vietnam’s stunning southern coastline. From the bustling streets and markets of Ho Chi Minh City, to serene seaside fishing villages, this adventure is a feast for both soul and lens. Immerse yourself in the colorful traditions of the Lễ hội Nghinh Ông, or Whale Worshiping festival, capturing portraits of devotees, and images of age-old rituals. Explore the rich traditions and temples of the ethnic Cham, whose maritime links with Indochina go back many centuries. In Mui Ne, the wind-sculpted dunes stretch to the horizon, and as we venture towards Nha Trang, the raw, volcanic landscapes of Nui Chua National Park will truly rock you. We’ll stop by hamlets and harbors to photograph the friendly locals fixing their nets and colorful boats, and capture salt fields as farmers harvest white gold under the setting sun. Along the way, you’ll develop your photographic skills and knowledge, refining your own style, and come away with a portfolio of authentic images that captures the true essence of this diverse region of Vietnam.
Gods of the Sea is a premium photographic adventure holiday, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available. We’ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence. We travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with enough room to carry along our luggage and camera gear. At the same time, our close connection to the people of this region, deep friendships, and many years of experience give us unparalleled access to authentic local life and the area’s most stunning vistas. As working photographers and journalists,, we provide you with unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and visual storytelling.
Expectations
Gods of the Sea offers a thrilling range of image opportunities, exploring a variety of styles. In bustling Saigon, expect to wander the narrow alleyways of Chinatown and the crumbling apartment blocks of The Colony, mixing with the locals while you capture dynamic street photography. Don’t miss the unique opportunity to try out some of Saigon’s famous street delicacies, in the company of our expert foodie guide.
Your tranquil boat trip in the mangroves of Can Gio offers chances for nature and wildlife photography, including images of birds in flight (bring that zoom). This is also a great spot to fly a drone, with dramatic footage of the meeting of coastline and sea.
At the Phuoc Hai Whale-Worshiping festival, we’ll be working on a detailed visual story, including images of the devotees and performers, and the wild, colorful, ritual celebrations. We’ll enjoy an unforgettable, local experience of the festival, giving us plenty of behind the scenes images as well.
Heading north, we have peace and time to enjoy the seascapes at Mui Ne and Nui Chua national park, meaning a look at epic sunrise and sunset landscape photography using various shutter speeds.
Nha Trang is another culinary heaven, and we’ll be trying out some of the city’s famous recipes, like ‘Bo Ne’ sizzling steak and ‘Banh Xeo’ crispy shrimp pancakes.
Each day we’ll stop at salt farms, fishing markets, harbors and remote villages, enjoying the welcome of locals who rarely encounter foreign travelers, and giving us the joyful random encounters that make for dramatic travel photography and lifelong memories.
Image Gallery
Guiding Team
Our photographers are no ordinary guides. They’re adventurers, teachers and assistants, as well as experienced shooters. They’re up at dawn to catch the best light, and always looking out for unexpected moments and details that make for great photography. They are committed to making sure you enjoy exploring Vietnam through photography as much as we do. Your pictures and your experience are always the priority.
Photographers Eileen Sjoqvist & Tung Phan will lead our 2024 Gods of the Sea.
Eileen Wingaard Sjøqvist is a Swiss-Norwegian photographer. She studied Photography at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, followed by a Masters in Documentary Photography at the University of Barcelona. Her images have been exhibited in museums and at cultural events in both Europe and Vietnam. Based in Saigon now, Eileen is a passionate and immersive photographer guide, who has been leading tours for Vietnam in Focus since 2022.
Tung Phan is a Hanoi-based photographer with a Master’s degree in International Journalism from Sussex University in the UK. With a solid foundation in journalism and broadcasting, in particular with Vietnam Television (VTV), he brings a unique perspective to his work, capturing the essence and stories of Vietnam through the lens of his camera.
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
- Transfers upon arrival and departure
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
- All transportation
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Daily activities and excursions as indicated in the itinerary
- All gratuities
- local guides and government permits
What's not included
- Airfare to and from destination, as well as internal airfare where applicable
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Visas
- Alcoholic beverages
Seasonality
This is a small private group tour with designated departure dates based on the Southern Vietnam festival season. However we can tailor this tour or something similar to your required dates.
Get in Quick!
Unlike many photo tours, we have very small group sizes of maximum five guests. This is to ensure the best quality experience and authentic photography opportunities. However, it also means we regularly sell out of places on our feature tours quickly, so we highly recommend you book today. And don’t forget, there’s a 5% early bird discount for those booking at least 12 months in advance!
