Vietnam - The North Tour - full itinerary
North Vietnam
North Vietnam is a photographer's paradise, offering a mesmerizing blend of stunning landscapes, diverse ethnic cultures, ancient traditions, and vibrant city life. From the misty mountains of Ha Giang to the emerald waters of Halong Bay, this region presents an array of captivating subjects for every kind of photographer.
Our tour begins in Hanoi, where the bustling Old Quarter and serene lakes provide a stark contrast of urban energy and tranquility. We then journey to the remote highlands, exploring the colorful markets of Bac Ha and Can Cau, where hill tribe gatherings offer rich cultural documentation. The journey continues to Ba Be Lake, a haven of calm waters and limestone karsts.
In Hoang Su Phi and Pan Hou, we capture the breathtaking beauty of terraced rice fields cascading down mountainsides. The tour reaches its pinnacle in Ha Giang province, home to the spectacular Ma Pi Leng Pass and the otherworldly karst landscapes of Dong Van and Meo Vac.
Throughout the journey, we encounter diverse ethnic minority groups, each with unique traditions and vibrant attire. From misty mountains to vibrant green rice terraces, from bustling markets to serene villages, North Vietnam offers an unparalleled tapestry of visual wonders for the discerning photographer.
Day 1:
Arrival in Ha Noi
We will arrange for you to be picked up from the airport and transferred to our hotel.
Ha Noi, Vietnam's capital, offers diverse photographic opportunities showcasing its rich history and vibrant culture. The Old Quarter presents traditional life, bustling markets, and ancient architecture, including iconic "tube houses." Nearby, Hoan Kiem Lake provides serene landscapes, especially at dawn or dusk, featuring the Turtle Tower and red Huc Bridge leading to Ngoc Son Temple.
The French Quarter's wide boulevards and grand buildings, like the Hanoi Opera House, offer striking architectural subjects. The Temple of Literature showcases well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture with ornate gates, courtyards, and ancient stone stelae.
Ha Noi's vibrant street life and markets present possibilities for documentary and street photography. The bustling Dong Xuan Market, flower markets, and street food stalls provide colorful and dynamic subjects. Long Bien Bridge spanning the Red River offers views of both urban landscapes and rural life along the riverbanks. These diverse elements make Ha Noi a rich destination for photographers seeking to capture the essence of Vietnam's capital.
Nathan runs the optional pre-tour technical and aesthetic workshop from around 2-5pm for those new to travel photography or who feel they would benefit from a refresher course. There will be a pre-tour meet ‘n’ greet with Nathan at the hotel starting at around 6pm.
Day 2:
Ha Noi — Quang Phu Cau — Ha Noi
This morning, we meet our guide and driver and head to Quang Phu Cau village, where incense sticks are made. We venture further into the village workshops, shooting images of the incense-making process, including bamboo chopping, dipping the sticks in dye, and creating incense paste. We take more images of the friendly locals who have worked on producing incense in this village for generations. When the villagers have set out incense to dry in various formations, we take pictures of people working among this sea of red.
We head back to Ha Noi to have lunch with at the city’s famous KOTO restaurant which serves a fabulous menu whilst offering the opportunity to transform impoverished young vietnamese lives. Afterwards, we visit the Temple of Literature, built in 1076, where Vietnam’s first university was established to educate Vietnamese royalty, mandarins, and elite members – a fascinating glimpse into the country’s past. From there we head to Hanoi’s Old Quarter to see some of the French colonial architecture of former times, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral – a French gothic building constructed in 1886.
Last but not least, we visit a street where the tracks of Ha Noi’s railway pass only metres from the entrance to the local people’s homes. With our guide, we can walk along the tracks and take beautiful photos of the city. The day finishes with a refreshing glass of draught beer at a local bia hoi spot – a chance to mingle with the locals.
Day 3:
Hoan Kiem Lake — Lao Cai — Bac Ha
At sunrise, we head to Hoan Kiem Lake for some enchanting moments and a great chance to take photographs of the local people starting their day by practicing tai chi, aerobics and all manner of exotic rituals. After breakfast, we depart for the long drive to Bac Ha town, stopping en route as and when photographic opportunities present themselves.
Bac Ha, a rural district in Lao Cai province, northern Vietnam, offers diverse photographic opportunities centered around its vibrant Sunday market and picturesque landscapes.
The surrounding countryside offers stunning landscape photography possibilities. Rolling hills covered in terraced rice fields create mesmerizing patterns, especially beautiful during spring planting when fields are flooded, and autumn harvest when they turn golden. Misty mornings in the valleys provide atmospheric scenes.
Bac Ha's traditional villages offer glimpses into the daily lives of ethnic minorities. Photographers can capture authentic scenes of rural life, traditional architecture, and local customs. The area's rice terraces often afford us shots of locals working hard harvesting the seasonal crop..
After checking in to our hotel, we visit the former Hmong palace.
Hoang A Tuong Palace, blending European and Oriental architecture, offers unique historical and architectural subjects. Set against Bac Ha's mountainous landscape, it provides an intriguing contrast between cultural influences and natural beauty. we will arrange some models for you from within the grounds.
Day 4:
Bac Ha — Can Cau Market — Bac Ha
We meet around 6am today, and drive to Can Cau Market, where we stop for breakfast.
Can Cau Market, a vibrant weekly gathering in Lao Cai province, northern Vietnam, offers photographers a rich tapestry of ethnic minority culture and traditional commerce. Held every Saturday, this remote market draws various hill tribe groups, particularly the Flower Hmong, known for their exceptionally colorful and intricate traditional costumes. The market will be crowded with several different ethnic minorities, as every Saturday morning they come to trade their products including buffaloes, horses, pigs, chickens, fabrics, food and more, all from villages in the surrounding mountainous areas. Tribes who visit the market include the Flower Hmong, Black Dzao and Tay, all dressed in their colourful traditional dress.
The market provides abundant opportunities for portrait and candid photography. Visitors can capture the vivid hues of traditional clothing, the weathered faces of local traders, and the lively interactions between buyers and sellers. The diverse array of goods, from livestock and fresh produce to textiles and local delicacies, creates a visually compelling scene.
Beyond the market itself, the surrounding landscape offers stunning backdrops for environmental portraits and scenic shots. Misty mountains, terraced rice fields, and winding roads leading to the market provide context to the cultural experience and offer opportunities for landscape photography.
Early morning presents the chance to photograph the setup process and capture the soft, golden light as it illuminates the bustling scene. As the day progresses, the changing light and activities provide a constantly evolving canvas for photographers to document the rich cultural heritage and daily life of Vietnam's northern highlands.
After visiting the market, we head back to the hotel in Bac Ha where we have time to relax and walk around before lunch. Around mid-afternoon, we transfer to Ban Pho village for an afternoon shoot of the daily life of local Hmong people working in their rice fields, and meet local people as we walk through the village. We return to the hotel after sunset, after which we are free to spend the rest of the evening as we wish.
Day 5:
Bac Ha — Pan Hou
This morning, before breakfast we spend an hour or so at Bac Ha’s Sunday market practically on our doorstep. The Bac Ha Sunday Market draws various ethnic minority groups, particularly the Flower Hmong known for their colorful traditional attire. This bustling market provides rich opportunities for portrait and street photography, capturing vibrant colors, traditional costumes, and lively interactions.
After breakfast, we leave for our resort in the district of Hoang Su Phi. On the way we see the surrounding villages with wonderful views of the rice terraces, formed hundreds of years ago by ethnic groups such as the La Chi, Dao and Nung. Year by year, layer by layer, they have built these imposing terraces, and the local people continue to work on them today. We stop for some sunset photos on the terraces before driving to the retreat for check-in and dinner.
Day 6:
Pan Hou — Hoang Su Phi
This morning we walk through Pan Hou village. We return to the retreat and have breakfast before Nathan runs a Lightroom session. After lunch, we check out and take a short but step drive to our lodge in Hoang Su Phi. Home to ethnic groups like the Dao, Nung, H'mong, and Red Dzao, we’ll capture authentic glimpses of traditional lifestyles, colorful clothing, and local customs. The Red Dzao, known for their elaborate headwear and embroidery, add vibrant cultural elements to images. Late afternoon we are invited to visit a Red Dao family in a local village that we have got to know very well over the years. From there it is just a short walk to our magnificent sunset spot.
Day 7:
Hoang Su Phi — Quan Ba
We begin our day with some sunrise shots over the stunning rice terraces with local Red Dao models. We have breakfast at the lodge, after which we start heading to Quan Ba town. The rugged terrain offers dramatic landscape photography opportunities. Mist-shrouded mountains, winding roads cut into hillsides, and pristine forests create atmospheric scenes, especially during early morning. En route, we pass through Ha Giang city and stop for a local lunch. After lunch, we continue our journey to Quan Ba, stopping frequently to take pictures of the rice terraces and scenes of local life in the villages along the way.
Notably, we pass a viewpoint known as Heaven’s Gate, which affords a spectacular panorama of the Tam Son Valley. The valley opens wide below green rice fields and colourful flower farms, especially the Twin Hills which are set amongst immense and walled-up limestone mountains.
A little further on we spend an hour or so walking and exploring the local villages around the Quan Ba area. We visit the village of the Zao Ao Dai (Zao with long dresses) whose occupants live in a very traditional way in a beautiful village at the foot of the Quan Ba mountain range. We then check in at a local Dzao guesthouse where we take some time out to recover after the drive. We meet again for dinner.
Day 8:
Quan Ba — Yen Minh — Dong Van
After breakfast, we start our journey to Dong Van. On the way, we pass through Yen Minh, enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the terraced fields, probably among the most beautiful in Vietnam. We continue driving uphill towards Dong Van, on a windy road up and down the steep mountains and with many sharp bends, but the spectacular scenery makes it worthwhile.
We see some magnificent landscapes en route and visit some highlights of the region including Lung Cam cultural and Travel village. Lung Cam, offers photographers a wealth of opportunities to capture the essence of traditional Hmong life. This picturesque village, nestled among flower fields offers a stunning backdrop for portraits of the locals who work within them.
The village's traditional Hmong houses, with their unique architecture and Yin Yang roofs, present compelling subjects for architectural and cultural photography but again photographers can make beautiful portraits in hand-carved wooden doors and ancient courtyards.
Beyond it’s flower fields Lung Cam is known for its hemp cultivation, and textile production. Visitors can document the entire process, from growing and harvesting hemp to spinning, weaving, and dyeing fabrics. These age-old crafts, performed by skilled artisans in traditional Hmong attire, offer rich opportunities for portrait and documentary photography.
The village's daily life provides endless possibilities for candid shots. From farmers tending to their flower fields to children playing traditional instruments, and elders covetting their bird cages, photographers can capture authentic moments that tell the story of this unique cultural enclave.
From there we drive about 20km to Dong Van town and check in to our hotel. We can relax for a couple of hours after which our guide takes us for a short trek on a hidden uphill road to a nearby Hmong village where we can take some sunset pictures. We can spend the rest of the evening at our leisure in Dong Van town, enjoying a coffee at an ancient café or a drink at a bar in the local ancient market.
Day 9:
Dong Van — Meo Vac
This morning after breakfast, we drive to the breathtaking views close to the border with China. After a local walk and a coffee, we drive back to Dong Van town for lunch and a rest.
In the afternoon, we set off to Meo Vac via the Ma Pi Leng Pass, located in the Dong Van Geoparks. The road along the mountainside has spectacular scenery and the pass is considered to be a unique regional heritage in terms of landscape and geomorphology. The peak area is considered to be one of the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints in the country, the “King” of Vietnam’s passes, the Great Wall of Vietnam or the Pyramid of Meo..
Late afternoon we drive to the bottom of Geopark and take a boat ride on the Nho Que River, right through the heart of one of the most unique tectonic valleys in Vietnam.
Day 10 :
Meo Vac — Bao Lac— Bao Lam — Ba Be National Park
This morning, we continue our journey to Bao Lac where we drive through some more spectacular scenery. Along the way we stop for some refreshments and take pictures of the local Tay, Nung and Man people. In the late afternoon or early evening we arrive at our resort in Ba Be National Park, check in and enjoy dinner together.
Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan province, northern Vietnam, offers photographers diverse subjects from landscapes to local culture. Surrounded by limestone karsts and forests, the lake provides stunning scenery year-round. Its calm waters create perfect reflections of mountains, especially during golden hours, while dawn mists add ethereal qualities to images.
Ba Be is home to several ethnic minority groups, including the Tay, Dao, and H'mong. Photographers can document traditional lifestyles, colorful clothing, and local customs in surrounding villages. Water-based activities such as boat trips and fishing offer unique perspectives of life on the lake.
Day 11:
Ba Be National Park
The day starts with ashort drive to a small pier where we take a motorboat for a cruise on Ba Be Lake, where we have a local hill tribe model to photograph whilst fishing on the lake. The lush forest clinging to the surrounding mountains provides a colourful backdrop as we explore the lake.
During the boat trip, we visit the Dau Dang waterfall. The scenery surrounding the lake is simply breathtaking, with the vast old forest dominating the landscape.
Later we walk through a lake side village, we observe the local communities going about their daily life and enjoy a lunch prepared in a local Tay ethnic minority house. The kitchen activites can make for great pictures.
Day 12:
Ba Be National Park — Thai Nguyen — Ha Noi
We wake early and enjoy breakfast at our homestay, after which we head out of the high hills, stopping from time to time to take pictures of local people, markets and other opportunities that present themselves along the way. We have lunch at a local restaurant, then continue our journey to Hanoi, stopping en route to take photos of the tea plantations as get lower.
We arrive in Hanoi early in the afternoon and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or stroll around the city’s Old Quarter. The evening is we enjoy a meal in the city and talk about our experience.
Day 13:
Ha Noi
This morning you have free time until our driver transfers you to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you might want to spend a few days in Ha Noi or perhaps take a cruise around Halong Bay. If so, please let us know and we’ll help to arrange something for you.
We hope you will have had an enjoyable and memorable experience, and look forward to seeing you again on another photographic adventure!
