Days of the Dragon
Northern Vietnam Festival Season
Northern Vietnam Festivals
Start your year celebrating with the hill tribes, in the Northern Vietnam festival season.
The beginning of the lunar year brings many exhilarating festivals to northern Vietnam. For travelers, this means a unique opportunity to experience the rich and vibrant cultures of the hill tribes as we enjoy the best Northern Vietnam Festivals. For photographers, it offers incredible images, and a chance to document the authentic celebrations and rituals of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities.
Highlights include the colorful Gao Tau festival, Dzao fire dancing and an up close experience of lunar new year festivities with the Dzao and Tay people. Our local friends help us to understand the traditions and significance of these Northern Vietnam festivals, and give us unique access to the people and their cultures. Along the way, we develop a photographic story on the diverse festivals and traditions of northern Vietnam. It all makes for an unforgettable journey at an incredibly photogenic time of year.
This 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.
Our close connection to the people of Vietnam, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalleled access to the authentic life of the locals and the area’s most stunning vistas. As working photographers, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and photographic storytelling.
Days of the Dragon
Northern Vietnam Festival Season
Expectations
Itinerary
We head back to Hanoi this morning, arriving in the capital at lunch. Flights may depart this evening or the next day, with complimentary airport drop-off.
Guiding Team
Recommended Equipment
- Digital Camera or Film Camera
- Selections of lens
- Cable release
- Tripod
- Memory cards
- ND Graduated filters
- Laptop/tablet
- Storage device
Accommodation







The detailed list of accommodation for the tour is –
Hanoi – Hotel de l’Opera
Sapa – Chapa Ecolodge
Bac Ha – La Beaute de Bac Ha
Transportation
Pricing and Dates
Year | Date | Price |
---|---|---|
2024 | 13th February | $TBC |
2025 | 2nd February | $TBC |
2026 | 21st February | $TBC |
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 $TBC per person. On private tours, surcharges may apply to certain travel dates based upon international or local holidays, as well as local events and festivals. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars and are subject to change. See the terms and conditions for this trip for more information.
Early Bird Bookings
We offer an early bird discount of 5% if tour bookings are made at least 12 months in advance of departure.
Payment Process
We take an initial holding deposit of $500 per person, which is non-refundable. 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.
Cancellation Policy
Tour cancellations incur a fee based on your time of notice before the tour commences.
The time frame and fees for cancellations are as follows –
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.
Group Size
We take a maximum number of 5 guests per tour leader. With larger groups we will split between 2 tour leaders
Departures
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.
Seasonality
This is a small private group tour with designated departure dates based on the northern Vietnam festival season. However we can tailor this tour or something similar to your required dates.
What's included
- Transfers upon arrival and departure
- Hotel Pickup / Dropoff
- 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
(includes Hanoi Arrival pick up) - Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Visas
- Alcoholic beverages