Inspiring Miracles of the Mekong Delta 10day Mekong River Photo tour

Multi Day Vietnam Photography Tour

>23
TOUR TYPE:
Group Photography Tour
TOur Length:
10

 Days  

Departure Date:
October 11, 2023

Miracles on the Mekong

Immerse yourself in the colorful cultures of the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is one of the most fascinating and culturally-rich areas in the world, let alone Vietnam, and it blooms into vivid, miraculous life during the October flooding season. On this 10 day photo adventure, we’ll explore the very best this region has to offer, from Saigonese street photography to awe-inspiring riverside brick factories, from bustling water markets to tranquil mangrove forest, and the unforgettable highlight of the Khmer Ox Racing Festival in An Giang. Our journey takes us out towards the coast, where we’ll spend time photographing Can Gio’s rustic fishing communities. Along the way, we’ll develop a visual story of life in all its variety and color on the mighty Mekong.

This is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from stylish bamboo eco-lodges to riverside resorts. We’ll also taste the most delicious 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 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

We’ll enjoy a range of exciting photographic opportunities on this unique expedition around the Mekong Delta.
Starting out in Ho Chi Minh City – formerly known as Saigon – it’s all about street and documentary, as we explore thriving areas such as Chinatown, the Saigon Railway Village, and the atmospheric local community of ‘The Colony’. We’ll also have our first encounter with the trading waterways leading through District 7, and out into the Greater Mekong. Ho Chi Minh CIty is rapidly developing, and we’ll look to create visual stories that capture this characteristic and dizzying mix of tradition and modernity.
Once we leave the city, we find the cultures of the countryside coming to the fore. Long Xuyen floating market is one of the most colorful and authentic markets of its kind in the Mekong Delta. Traders come from all over the province to sell their wares, from fruits to electrical appliances. We’ll be working on a photographic series about the market, including portraits, relationship shots and details that tell a story.
At the Khmer Ox Racing Festival, we’ll be looking at different ways to photograph an action-packed event. We’ll experiment with different shutter speeds and approaches to composition in order to capture the races. However, it’s also about the spectators and the scene – a perfect opportunity to develop our people photography skills.
Around the epic traditional brick factories of Mang Thit and the fishing communities of Can Gio, we’ll be exploring a variety of photographic styles and techniques, including architectural and drone photography, and the use of color theory.
This region is of course abundant with natural beauty too. In Tra Su Cajuput forest and the bucolic waterways of Long An province, we’ll look at different settings to capture the unique atmosphere of these unforgettable places. Traveling by boat and on foot, we’ll have a close-up encounter with the diverse flora and fauna of the Mekong.
We’ll enjoy photo reviews every couple of days, and set up for an editing and post-processing workshop on our return to Saigon. With a small group, there’s plenty of time for one-on-one tuition and feedback, and a look at more advanced techniques according to each guest’s interests and experience.

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.

Tour Information

What's included

  • Digital Camera or Film Camera
  • Selections of lens
  • Cable release
  • Tripod
  • Memory cards
  • ND Graduated filters
  • Laptop/tablet
  • Storage device

What's included

  • Transfers upon arrival and departure
  • Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
  • All transportaion
  • 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. However we can tailor this tour or something similar to your required dates.

Reviews

Villia (CANADA)
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We could not have asked for a more congenial and attentive guides, Duc and Nhan outdid themselves. Duc's ability to approach people and to get them to enjoy his company gave us an entry point for interacting with people. His profound respect for the ethnic minority peoples really impressed us and provided the means to engage with people on an equal footing. Nhan was an attentive and knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. We spent much of our trip smiling and laughing with the two of them. Overall you have a great team who go the extra mile. The accommodations were great, the food fabulous and the car and driver were both superb. We had an exceptional time, see VIF again!
Tour FAQ and Information

Please contact us directly and request a Brochure for this tour.

Throughout the trip, we stay in quality 4 star hotels or the best mountain eco-lodges available locally. In some places there are shared bathroom facilities. There is a surcharge for single bookings. If you are open to sharing with someone outside your group, we will do our best to make sure your preferences are met.

Please contact us for more Information

Throughout the tour we travel by comfortable, air-conditioned 16 seat private minibus. There will be enough room in the vehicle to carry our maximum 5 guests, guide, driver, luggage and camera gear. Please however bring a maximum of 1 large suitcase, small daypack and/or camera bag.

Prices are per person based on double occupancy, and do not include international airfare to/from your destination or internal flights during the tour. Single supplement is available at request. Surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based on international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and subject to change. See the terms and conditions for this trip for more information

Please contact us for more Information

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

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.

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.

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

Tour departures will be confirmed 3 months in advance, and depend on a minimum number of guests. Guests should not book flights until they receive confirmation of the tour departure.

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

Please see the What to Bring list included in each itinerary

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.

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

As early as possible – tours book up fast

Please see terms and conditions included on each tour page

Northern Vietnam Traditional Festivals

Experience the Gao Tau festival, Hmong fire dancing & lunar new year festivities with the Dzao, Hmong & Tay people during Northern Vietnam's festival season. Cameras in hand, we'll explore the spectacular landscapes and colorful tribal communities around Sapa on a photographic adventure to remember. In the company of our photography team and local Black Hmong guides, this is the ultimate, authentic encounter with Vietnam's hill tribes.

Vietnam from South to North By Train

Travel from Saigon to Hanoi on Vietnam's Reunification Express while learning the art of photography. Capture daily Vietnamese life in the cities of Saigon, Danang and Hanoi. Explore the eastern coastline, fishing villages and sleepy towns, snap portraits of traders, fishermen and local life along the railway. Experience crossing the Hai Van Pass, one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys, on our 11 day photography adventure through Vietnam.

Miracles of the Mekong

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.

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