Vietnam Photography Tour 15 Days / 14 Nights

Depart from Hanoi at 7am and drive along the scenic road No. 32. On the way, make a stop to take some photos of the beautiful landscapes and visit a tea plantation in Thu Cuc.

Arrive in Nghia Lo town, Yen Bai province, at around 12noon and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Then, continue your travel and along the way admire the views of Lim Mong Valley from Khau Pha Pass, one of the highest passes in Vietnam. Stop over for photos. 

Reach Ngoc Chien (around 1,800m above the sea level), a hidden gem in the mountains, and meet your hosts, a local family. Ngoc Chien is home to the Thai, Hmong, and La Ha ethnic groups, who have many unique traditions and customs, such as bathing naked in natural hot springs. You will also see the ancient stilted houses made of Pomu wood, a rare and precious material.

Have a warm dinner with your hosts and taste some of their specialties, such as Tao Meo wine, Tan sticky rice, grilled chicken, and grilled fish.

Overnight in Ngoc Chien

After breakfast, leave Ngoc Chien and drive along Khau Pha Pass, stop-over along the way to take pictures of Lim Mong Valley, a charming landscape of green hills and rice fields.

On arrival at Mu Cang Chai, absorb the beauty and diversity of the terraced fields, which cover 500 ha in three communes: La Pan Tan, Che Cu Nha and De Xu. These are part of the 2,000 ha terraced fields of the area, which have been recognized as a national heritage site.

Learn about the culture and lifestyle of the ethnic groups living in Mu Cang Chai, such as the Hmong, Thai, Dao and Giay. You will see their traditional houses, costumes, crafts and festivals. Mu Cang Chai is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. 

Overnight in Mu Cang Chai

Start your day early with the fresh mountain breeze. After breakfast, take a short stroll to Tu Le Valley and Muong Bung village amid the stunning scenery of rice terraces and mountains before heading back to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free at leisure. 

Overnight in Hanoi

Meet with your guide at hotel at 5am. Take a taxi to the famous Quang Ba flower market, where you will see hundreds of different kinds of flowers being sold to local florists. Next, walk around the Old Quarter and see how the city wakes up. Observe the street vendors preparing for the morning rush. Then, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and watch people of all ages exercising, doing tai chi, and jogging. Join them, if you want, and take some amazing photos with the perfect sunrise light. 

Return to your hotel for breakfast, and later on, drive to Quang Phu Cau Village in Ung Hoa District, 35 km south of Hanoi. This village is famous for making incense for more than a hundred years. See colorful incense sticks piled up at the entrance of the village. Learn about the importance of incense in the Vietnamese culture, especially during the Tet Lunar New Year holiday in February, when people use it to worship at temples or at home. Explore the village and take some beautiful photos of its scenery and people. 

Upon return to Hanoi, have some time for yourself, until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Spend a full day exploring the ancient town of Hoi An, a former trading hub on the Thu Bon River. Hoi An has a rich history of cultural exchange and commerce, dating back to the Cham civilization from the 2nd to the 10th century. Later, it became a popular destination for merchants and missionaries from various countries, such as India, China, Japan, Portugal, France, and more. They left their mark on the architecture and culture of Hoi An, creating a unique blend of influences. Today, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a charming place to explore. 

Start with Hoi An’s central market, where you can see the local people buying and selling fresh produce, seafood, spices, and handicrafts. Proceed to the Japanese covered bridge, a symbol of Hoi An that was built in the 16th century by the Japanese community to connect with the Chinese quarter. Then, visit the Phuc Kien assembly hall, a beautiful temple that was founded by the Fujian Chinese in the 17th century to worship their ancestors and gods. Proceed to the Phung Hung old mansion, a typical example of Hoi An’s architecture that combines Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese elements. The house is over 200 years old and has been preserved by eight generations of the same family. Later, learn more about Hoi An’s history, culture, and art by visiting one of the Hoi An museums (either the Sa Huynh Culture Museum or the Ceramics Trade Museum). Stop by the Quan Cong temple, built in 1653 by Chinese immigrants who worshipped Quan Cong, a famous Chinese general and a symbol of loyalty, integrity and justice. The temple has a unique architecture that reflects the classical Chinese style, with colorful carvings, paintings and statues.

Later on, drive or ride a bike to a lantern making workshop in the village. Learn about the history, shape, and color of the lanterns, which are an important part of Hoi An’s culture and festivals. Make your own lantern with the guidance of a skilled craftsman and keep it as a souvenir.

Late afternoon, take a boat trip starting from Thu Bon wharf and sail along the Thu Bon river and enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides. See how the local people live by the river and take some photos of their boats and activities. Reach the Cua Dai estuary where the river meets the sea, then follow the Coco River to the Bay Mau Coconut Forest, a unique ecosystem that is home to many animals and plants. Have a snack and take some stunning pictures of this natural wonder.

Back to the hotel, enjoy your free time to explore the old town at night. One of the best things to do in Hoi An is to stroll along the streets under the colorful lanterns that light up the night. These lanterns are not only beautiful but also meaningful for Hoi An’s people. They represent their hopes, dreams, and wishes.

Overnight in Hoi An

Depart Hoi An in the early morning and drive along the coast to Phu Yen province, which is about 340 km away. Enjoy the views of the tranquil villages, the gorgeous beaches, and the Sa Huynh salt fields along the way. Taste some of the local specialties, such as fresh seafood and rice cakes. Stop at Hai Minh fishing village in Quy Nhon and witness the daily life of the fishermen. Take some photos of them repairing their nets. Learn about their traditions and customs, such as their worship of the Whale God and their festivals.

Arrive in Phu Yen province in the afternoon and visit Xuan Hai fishing village, located in Song Cau District. This village is surrounded by mountains and has a picturesque view of the sea. Xuan Hai is considered one of the most beautiful fishing villages in south central Vietnam. (If you arrive too late for Xuan Hai, the visit can be arranged the following day.)

Overnight at Phu Yen

Continue exploring the natural beauty and culture of Phu Yen province, a hidden gem in the central coast of Vietnam, which has 189km of coastline with many pristine and beautiful lagoons, bays, and islands. 

Visit the O Loan Lagoon, a brackish water lagoon that offers a stunning view of golden sand dunes, sugar cane fields, and casuarina forests. Learn about the legend of this lagoon, which is related to a tragic love story between a princess and a fisherman.

Then visit the Da Dia Reef, a national landscape that features a unique formation of basalt columns. These columns have different shapes and sizes, such as round, pentagon, hexagon, polygon, etc. They look like a giant beehive or a stack of plates, which gives the reef its name. You will be amazed by the contrast between the black rocks and the blue sea.

Proceed to Bai Xep, a beautiful beach that was featured in the film Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass (2015) directed by Victor Vu, which won Best Film award the 2016 TIFF Kids International Film Festival. Enjoy the rustic charm of this fishing village with its wooden boats, bamboo bridges, and coconut trees.

Finally, reach Hon Yen Island, a paradise for photographers who love coral reefs and crystal-clear water. Depending on the tide, you will have a chance to see the coral reefs on land or the fishermen with their nets at the river during sunset. The tide only recedes for a few days in the beginning or in the middle of the lunar month, so you will be lucky if you catch this sight. Hon Yen island is also a national relic site since 2018.

Overnight in Phu Yen

Wake up early and catch the sunrise at one of the fishing villages or Mui Dien or Mui Dai Lanh (Dai Lanh Cape). These are some of the first places on the mainland to see the sun in Vietnam. Take some amazing photos of the golden light and the sea.

Drive back to hotel for breakfast, then head to Hon Khoi Salt Fields, one of the largest salt fields in this country. See how the salt workers harvest about 737,000 tons of salt every year. Capture some beautiful photos of the sunset over the salt fields.

In Nha Trang, a famous beach city with many attractions, see how the fishermen prepare their nets for fishing and take some shots of their daily life. Take a swim at Doc Let beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Nha Trang, if time allows.

Drive to your hotel and check in. Enjoy some free time in the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Nha Trang

Start your day with a sunrise photo shoot at the fishing villages. See the fishermen and their boats in the morning light. Admire the beauty of Binh Tien–Vinh Hy bay on the way to Phan Rang. 

Arrive in Phan Rang in the afternoon and have some time to rest. 

In the evening, you will have another photo opportunity at Hang Rai seascape, where you will see thousands of sheep returning to their homes and the stunning rock formations by the sea. Stay there until the sunset and capture some amazing shots. Then, go back to the city center and check in your hotel.

Overnight in Phan Rang

Start your day with a sunrise photo shoot at Nam Cuong Sand Dunes, a spectacular natural attraction in Phan Rang. Stop by the local fishing village and take some photos of people’s daily life. 

In the afternoon, drive to Dalat, a charming city in the highlands. As you travel, capture more memories with your camera at some fascinating places, such as: the vineyards, where you will see the grapes growing and the wine making process; the Cham brocade-weaving village, where you will learn about the traditional craft and culture of the Cham ethnic minority; Po Klong Giarai towers, a complex of ancient brick towers built by the Cham people in the 13th century to worship their gods and kings; Ngoan Muc pass, a scenic road that offers a panoramic view of the mountains and valleys; Cau Dat tea farm, a large and green tea plantation that produces high-quality tea; an Arabica coffee plantation, where you will see how coffee beans are grown and harvested.

Overnight in Dalat

Start exploring the natural and cultural beauty of the Dalat area with Pongour waterfalls, some 50 km away from the town. These are the biggest waterfalls in the central highlands, with a height of 40 meters and a width of 100 meters. Admire the majestic scenery of the waterfalls and the surrounding forest and take some photos. Visit an incense making stall or a mushroom farm in a thatched house. Learn about the local crafts and products, how they are made and used by the people.

Back in the city center, visit the Dalat Cable Car Station on Robin Hill. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city, see the pine forested valley that stretches to the south. Take some beautiful photos of this view. You will also have an option to take the cable car, which will bring you down 300 meters to the valley below. You will see the flower and vegetable fields that dot the pine forest.

Proceed to Tuyen Lam Lake, a large and serene lake surrounded by pine trees. This lake is also known as the paradise lake, because of its peaceful and scenic atmosphere. Visit the Truc Lam Zen Monastery located by the lake. This is the biggest Zen university in Vietnam, where you can learn about the Buddhist philosophy and practice.

Late afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon, a vibrant and modern city in the south of Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel and check-in.

Overnight in Saigon

In the morning, drive 58 km to Long An, a province that is famous for its water lily flowers. You will have a chance to take some photos of these beautiful flowers, which are also used for food and medicine by the local people. (Note: The water lilies are most photogenic from September to October.) 

Later, head to Vinh Long, a province that is located in the middle of the Mekong Delta. Take a boat ride on the river and visit some of the local attractions, such as: local homes and orchards, where you can see how the people live and grow fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, oranges, and pineapples; a coconut candy workshop, where you can learn how to make this delicious treat from fresh coconut milk and sugar; a honeybee farm, where you can see how honey is produced and taste some of the honey tea and seasonal fruits. Then take a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks and enjoy the peaceful and scenic atmosphere of the Delta.

Proceed to Chau Doc, a province that is near the border with Cambodia. Visit Sam Mountain, a sacred site for many religions. Enjoy the sunset from the mountain with an wonderful panoramic view of the rice paddies. Take some great photos of the water lily pond nearby. 

Overnight in Chau Doc

Start the day with an amazing adventure in Tra Su, a wild bird sanctuary in the Mekong Delta. Cruise on small boats through the splendid canals that go deep into the forest. See the diverse flora and fauna of the wetland, and observe storks, cranes, and other tropical birds in their natural habitat. Proceed to take a rowing boat trip through the floating village and visit the fish farm. Learn how the locals raise fish on their floating houses and earn their living from the river. Then, visit the Cham minority and their traditional weaving village. See how they make beautiful fabrics from silk and cotton and learn about their culture and religion. Up next, is the fish sauce market, where you will see how this essential ingredient of Vietnamese cuisine is made and sold. Taste some of the local specialties that use fish sauce, such as spring rolls, salads, and soups.

Drive back to Saigon and appreciate the contrast between the rural and urban life of modern Vietnam.

At the end of the day, take a Bonsai River Cruise on the Saigon River and savor a delicious buffet dinner with an entertainment show on board. Watch the sunset over the city skyline and say goodbye to this friendly country.

Overnight in Saigon

Enjoy some free time until airport transfer for your outbound flight.