Vietnam: Ancient cities, tribal north and coastal wondersOur Viet Nam photography expedition is an immersion experience where the curious and aware photographer will be able to document the way of life in this peaceful and thriving nation. We will concentrate on the historic cities of Hanoi and Hoi An, the indigenous northern tribal region Sapa and the scenic coast where we will float on Halong Bay. Taking the deluxe, two per car night train, a wooden Chinese junk ship on Halong Bay and lodging at an architecturally impressive hotel in Hoi An will all add to the ambiance of this trip.
This tour begins in the 1000 year old city of Hanoi. Hanoi is a visually stimulating city that is a mosaic of pagodas and motor scooters, traditional architecture, the ornamental Hoan Kien Lake, tumultuous Long Bien Vegetable Market and narrow back street and alleys inhabited by friendly people doing commerce and living traditional lifestyles. We will photograph the market in the morning and waterways in the afternoon. From Hanoi we will take a night train to Sapa. The rice paddies and terraces frame the landscape of this rugged northern province. We will photograph the black Hmong tribal women in their traditional homes, markets and along the foot paths leading to their culturally intact villages. Trading chickens, pigs, ornate fabrics and utensils is easily photographed in the colorful markets. The experience in Sapa will include some mild hiking and walking on narrow foot bridges. The UNESCO world heritage site of Halong Bay will be photographed from a Chinese style junk ship. The towering limestone cliffs called karsts and thick jungle vegetation make for interesting landscape photography. Photo review with a cocktail in hand will be a great way to end the day. Hoi An located in central Viet Nam is an example of well preserved Asian architecture. The 15th century wooden structures are still inhabited and form a grid of streets, each having local merchants, women washing clothing, men smoking pipes and conical hat wearing men with their tuk tuks. This trading port was once the largest and most robust in Southeast Asia. This photographic expedition is for those that like to wander freely and truly feel the way of life. It is not a difficult trip but one must be able to shoulder their own camera bag. The climate in Sapa will be cool at night and Hanoi will be humid in the day. Non photographer spouses will also enjoy this travel experience. ItineraryDay 1:
Airport pick up transfer to our hotel. We will meet for a group orientation and dinner. Ha Noi: Tirant Hotel Day 2: The group will have breakfast in the hotel and then make the car trip to Tam Coc. Once there we will board traditional sampan boats and wind our way through the waterways shooting the rice fields and workers. After lunch we will proceed to Hoa Lu to photograph the ancient capital of Vietnam and photograph the temples. Back in Ha Noi we will do a night shoot in the Old Quarter capturing the French colonial architecture and street scenes. Ha Noi: Tirant Hotel Day 3: We will spend the day photographing the "Grand Old Dame of Asia" Ha Noi. Our first photo destination will be Hoan Kiem Lake where we will capture the locals doing tai chi. We will photograph the Long Bien market which is the largest fruit and vegetable markets in the city. Afternoon shooting street scenes and workers in their conical hats. Early evening the group will take an overnight sleeper train to the northern province of Sa Pa. Sleeper train: 2 per car Day 4: The group will arrive in the early morning in Lao Cai which is in the northwest corner and check in to the hotel. The early morning mist gives way to the vibrant colors which the Hmong tribe display. We will photograph the Red Dao and Black Hmong tribes in the local market. The Black Hmong, so named partly because their dress is black, ornamented with colorful brocade and silver jewelry, but mostly because of their black, fez-like headgear. The Red Hmong dress in black as well, but the women wrap up their hair in a red scarf bedecked with silver-beaded tassels. The Dzao also have distinctive headwear — a pile of coiled, braided hair, with an elaborate, rectangular ornament of silver metal sticking out of the top. Sa Pa overlooks rice terraces and has high peaks on all sides. Sa Pa: Victoria Hotel Day 5: Starting after breakfast we will venture out to photograph Nam Toong and Ban Ho. Indigenous tribes live in these villages and we will photograph their way of life. The landscape is beautiful and we will photograph the rice paddies, field workers and women in their homes. Sa Pa: Victoria Hotel Day 6: Photography will take place in the lush Thanh Kim Valley. The ethnic Red Zao and Hmong reside in these verdant hills. Cultural photographry in these villages.Zay women still wear traditional shirts of purple, deep blue or green. THe houses are built of clay and bamboo.Photography critique after dinner. Sa Pa: Victoria Hotel Day 7: This being Tuesday we will photograph the vibrant Coc Ly market.The Black Zao, Phu La, Tay and Flower Hmong come into town to sell an trade their wares. From there we will take a twenty minute boat ride upstream on the Chay River to the village of Trung Do where we will photograph the Tay tribe. Arriving back at the hotel at three o'clock we will have the late afternoon off. Sleeper train: 2 per car Day 8: The train will arrive in Hanoi at 4 Am and we will go directly to the early morning flower market and flag raising ceremony in front of the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum. After breakfast we will make the four ride car ride to Ha Long Bay. Passing water buffalos in the field, farm workers and small villages we should arrive at the harbor for lunch. In the afternoon we will have a leisurely boat ride at this Unesco world heritage site. We will spend the night on Ha Long Bay relaxing on our boat. Ha Long Bay: Syrena Boat Day 9: Early morning cruise and photographic opportunity shooting the rock structures at Dog Island, Fighting Cock Island, Man's Head and Tortoise. We will have brunch and cruise through Bai Tu Long bay and return to the wharf at noon. On the car ride back to Ha Noi we will stop to shoot the 13th Century, four story But Thap pagoda. Proceeding to the airport we will take the flight to Da Nag and drive to Hoi An. Hoi An: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort Day 10: Today we will immerse ourselves in Hoi An. The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival. The town comprises a well-preserved complex of 1,107 timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls, which include architectural monuments, commercial and domestic vernacular structures, notably an open market and a ferry quay, and religious buildings such as pagodas and family cult houses. The houses are tiled and the wooden components are carved with traditional motifs. They are arranged side-by-side in tight, unbroken rows along narrow pedestrian streets. There is also the fine wooden Japanese bridge, with a pagoda on it, dating from the 18th century. Hoi An: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort Day 11: Today the group will be given a photographic assignment. Venturing out independently in groups of two we will wander this wonderful quaint city and photograph a day in the life. Such themes as workers, small shops, women in homes, architecture, fisherman and traders will be explored photographically. Hoi An: Vinh Hung Riverside Resort Day 12: In the morning we will start the scenic drive over one of the highest roads in Viet Nam, the 12 mile long Hai Van Pass. It has been called one of the best coast roads in the world. The group will lodge on a large lagoon and this day will be spent in landscape and sunset photography. Evening photography critique and slide show. Hue: Vedana Lagoon Day 13: After an early breakfast we make the hour ride to Hue City. The group will shoot with amateur models in Ao Dai traditional dress in front of the Hue Citadel. We will photograph the pavilions, moats, sprawling complex of temples and pavilions. Hue: Vedana Lagoon Day 14: The morning will be free until we take the one hour flight back to Ha Noi. Farwell luncheon and then off to the airport for our flights back home. |
ExperiencesIn the far northwest Lao Cai province shoot Hmong flower sellers and ethnic Tey villagers.
Photograph the preserved 18th century ancient neighborhood in Hoi An. Shoot the timber frame buildings, temples and narrow pedestrian street. Early morning photo shoot in chaotic Loong Bien vegetable and flower market in Hanoi. Sail in a junk ship in the UNESCO world heritage site, Halong Bay.Visit the bay islands and sunset photo shoot. DetailsDates
April 27, 2016 - May 11, 2016 Photo leader Fee $5,800 Includes 2 internal flights (B, L, D) Single supplement: $875 Couples Discount: $300 Deposit $1000 Group Size 10 Tour FeeThe fee for the Vietnam Photography tour is $5800. A single supplement is $875. It includes all breakfasts and lunches. Two dinners in Hoi An are on your basis and not included. Two per car sleeper train and two internal flights are included. Airport transfers, bottled water, local guide and fixer are included. All photography, entrance and model fees are included.
The following are not included. Gratuities to local guide, fixer, drivers and porters. All alcohol, beverages outside of meal time and items of a personal nature are not included. All trip participants are required to have travel insurance and be in good health. |