Golden Harvest
A harvest-time encounter with the hill tribes of northwest Vietnam
Spectacular northwest Vietnam, draped in gold. As the rice harvest approaches, the terraces of Mu Cang Chai and Lai Chau go from green to gold in a matter of weeks. In many places, the local hill tribes are already cutting the crops, and we’ll capture authentic portraits of rural life. Throw in some colorful tribal markets and the unforgettable hospitality of our local friends, and it adds up to one incredible experience. A unique opportunity to photograph northern Vietnam’s land and people, at a dazzling time of year.
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Our Golden Harvest Tour is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from stylish bamboo eco-lodges to mountain resorts and restored H’mong forts. 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 an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. At the same time, 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 the ethnic minorities 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.
Expectations of our Golden Harvest Tour
This September, we’re traveling deeper than ever into the gold terraced landscapes of Vietnam’s northwest. In the company of our expert photography guiding team, we’ll be on the hunt for images of both land and people at this dazzling time of year. Far from the tourist trail, we’ll look at all aspects of visual storytelling, ultimately creating an authentic, rich narrative of life in the region.
Northwest Vietnam offers abundant opportunities for landscape photography, and we’ll experiment with different lenses, angles and perspectives to capture the unique atmosphere in these mountains. Most of our landscape shooting will be at sunrise and sunset, as the colors, shadows and mists add drama to the scene. We’ll also be able to shoot with drones, discovering otherwise unseen sights deep into the valleys around.
Along the way, we’ll look at various types of photography, including landscapes on the terraces of Sin Ho and Mu Cang Chai, environmental portraits in remote mountain markets, and use of different shutter speeds to capture everything from waterfalls to overloaded motorbikes. Fog often falls fast in late afternoon and evening, which also offers an exciting chance for ghostly images of mountain life.
Image Gallery
Guiding Team
Our photographers are no ordinary guides. We’re adventurers, teachers and assistants, as well as experienced shooters. We’re up at dawn to catch the best light, and always looking out for unexpected moments and details that make for great photography. Our guides 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.
Golden Harvest Tour Information
Recommended Equipment
- Digital Camera or Film Camera
- Selections of lens
- Cable release
- Tripod
- Memory cards
- ND Graduated filters
- Laptop/tablet
- Storage device
Whats 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
- Local guides and government permits
Whats 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
- Tips
Seasonality
This northern tour through Vietnam is available annually during the months of January to May and from August to December. We officially run this tour on on our designated dates near the end of September during the Golden Harvest (when the rice paddies turn from green to gold) but the tour can be booked privately at any stage during the available months .
Testimonials
