Vietnam by Rail
All aboard the Reunification Express!
Travel from Saigon to Hanoi on the legendary Reunification Express, while creating a stunning visual narrative of life in all three regions of Vietnam. From street photography in Saigon’s Chinatown and little-known railway village, we’ll head up the eastern coastline, to the serene white sand dunes of Mui Ne. By the sea, we’ll explore colorful fishing villages and sleepy harbors, snap portraits of traders and fishermen at work with their nets, before continuing north through magical Nui Chua National Park.
Between World Heritage-listed Hoi An and the Imperial capital of Hue, we’ll cross the Hai Van Pass, one of the world’s most spectacular short train journeys. Then it’s north to the scenic splendor of a cruise on Ha Long Bay, before we roll into Hanoi, Vietnam’s richly-cultured and highly photogenic capital. Over the course of the tour, with the guidance of our Vietnam in Focus photography tour leaders, we capture a visual story of life throughout this diverse, dazzling country.
This is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available along the way. We’ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence. Between short train journeys, we travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. The trip also includes two domestic flights.
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 locals 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 from Vietnam by Rail
From south to north, prepare to shoot a huge range of images, from street photography to epic landscapes and photographic series about time-honored craft production. The railway uniting Vietnam’s three regions provides an evocative theme, but our images will be as diverse as the country itself, and you’ll be encouraged to pursue your own photographic style and interests. Our own focus on tour tends mostly to the Vietnamese people and their daily lives, particularly where the old world meets the modern.
We always aim to tell authentic stories with our images, and this means mixing and interacting with the locals, whether in a Saigonese temple, a fishing harbor in Danang or a skiff on Ha Long Bay. Along the way, we’ll develop our skills in all aspects of photography, from image composition to lens selection and use of different settings. We’ll have regular review sessions, as well as feedback on the go, drawing on the experience and know-how of our expert guides, and the input of our fellow photography-loving travelers.
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.
Photographers Phuong Le & Minh Do will lead our 2025 Vietnam by Rail Tour.
Phuong is a Hanoi-based photographer and writer specializing in documentary photography, with her work featured in major national media outlets like VnExpress, Saigoneer, and Travellive. Holding a BA in International Relations from Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences, she is passionate about cultural exchange and understanding. Her bilingual stories cover topics such as coastal Whale-Worshiping communities, traditional craftsmanship in Hoi An, and life in Ha Giang’s secluded mountain villages. Recognized with awards from Heritage magazine, Phuong views photography as a powerful medium for authentic visual storytelling, enhancing viewer awareness and emotion.
Born in Saigon in 1994, Minh is a versatile, systematic, and playful professional photographer with a BA in Digital Media from RMIT University of Vietnam. Over the past five years, he has specialized in Fashion and Commercial Photography, working with leading sportswear brands such as Ananas. Minh, a seasoned traveler, has lived and studied in Thailand, gaining proficiency in Thai alongside his native Vietnamese and English. He combines digital and analog photography to bring purity to his images, drawing inspiration from the rapidly changing landscape of his hometown, Saigon. Minh now shares his unique insights and access to the city and its surroundings as a photographer guide at Vietnam in Focus.
Vietnam by Rail Tour Information
Recommended Equipment
- 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 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
Our Vietnam by Rail tour is available during the months of March to June and August to November. We officially run this tour on our designated dates (April and September) but the tour can be booked privately at any stage during the available months. If requested the tour can also be run in reverse from North (Hanoi) to South (Saigon)
Further Reading
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!