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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to an extraordinary journey through the heart of Northern Vietnam, a region celebrated not only for its breathtaking natural beauty but also for its profound cultural richness and timeless traditions. This photo tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for photographers to immerse themselves in diverse landscapes, vibrant local life, and authentic cultural experiences. Your adventure begins in the bustling capital city of Hanoi, a vibrant mix of history and modernity. Here, centuries-old temples sit beside colonial architecture and contemporary cafes, while the chaotic harmony of scooters, street vendors, and markets creates endless opportunities for compelling street photography. From early morning scenes at Hoan Kiem Lake to the lively atmosphere of the Old Quarter, Hanoi sets the tone with its energy and character. Next, step into a world of color and tradition at the Incense Village of Quang Phu Cau. Famous for its iconic pink and red incense sticks drying in geometric patterns under the sun, this village is a dream setting for creative and abstract photography. Meet local artisans who have practiced this centuries-old craft for generations, and capture the delicate beauty of incense-making in vivid, unforgettable compositions. As the tour moves deeper into the countryside, you'll find tranquillity in the rolling green tea hills of Long Coc. Often blanketed in early morning mist, this region offers a soft, ethereal landscape that is both peaceful and photogenic. The rounded tea hills, reflecting the changing light throughout the day, provide a rare opportunity to shoot landscapes that are both minimalistic and dynamic. Continuing north, prepare to be awed by the dramatic rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, one of Vietnam’s most iconic photography destinations. During harvest season, the golden steps of the terraced fields cascade down the mountainsides, creating a surreal, almost sculptural landscape. This area is also home to ethnic minority groups such as the Hmong, whose traditional clothing and daily routines add a deeply human element to your photographic storytelling. The journey concludes in Cao Bang Province, a UNESCO Global Geopark of rivers, lakes, and karst mountains. From the majestic Ban Gioc Waterfall to remote valleys, Cao Bang offers a spectacular finale to this unforgettable 10-day photographic adventure |
DATE
21st - 30th September 2026 DURATION 10 days & 9 nights (including the air travel) START Hanoi, Vietnam END Hanoi, Vietnam AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi, Vietnam) SEASON Dry GROUP SIZE 5 - 8, not including the tour leader and driver ACCOMMODATION 3-star hotels and homestays FITNESS LEVEL Easy to moderate LANGUAGE English |
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ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
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September 21: Hanoi, Handicraft Village
Flight arrival in the morning. Take a cab to our hotel in downtown Hanoi. Please make sure you arrive in Hanoi before noon. At 14:00, we will meet in our hotel lobby, then drive to Hung Yen, where we will photograph the last artisan who makes bamboo baskets & fish traps. Returning to Hanoi, the day concludes with a warm Vietnamese Welcome Dinner, a feast for the senses, and a celebration of the journey ahead. Meals included: D September 22: Hanoi, Incense Village, Duong Lam, Long Coc After a good night’s rest and breakfast at our hotel, we begin the day with a visit to a vibrant incense-making village on the outskirts of Hanoi. We then continue to Duong Lam Ancient Village, where we meet and photograph locals engaged in daily life, including the traditional craft of making Vietnam’s iconic conical hat (nón lá). In the afternoon, we journey to the breathtaking tea plantations of Long Coc, where rolling, almost surreal landscapes unfold — enhanced by the presence of local workers that bring scale and human connection to our frames. The day concludes with an overnight stay at a welcoming Muong village homestay, where authentic home-cooked meals offer a warm, memorable experience. Meals included: B, L, D |
September 23: Long Coc, Mu Cang Chai
Sunrise on the round hills of tea can be spectacular indeed, especially with just the right amount of mist. Today begins the expedition into the legendary rice terrace regions in the mountains of Mu Cang Chai, Y Ty, and Ha Giang. Depart from Long Coc to arrive at Khau Pha pass for the first shoot, moving on to Mu Cang Chai for an afternoon mountain rice-scape session that will have everyone in awe. Overnight at a lovely homestay in town and a chance to experience some homey Viet hospitality. Meals included: B, D September 24: Mu Cang Chai: Paradise of Rice Terraces A full day of photography around Mu Cang Chai Meals included: B, D September 25: Mu Cang Chai, Hanoi Another early morning brings us to a stunning corner of Mu Cang Chai, where local tribal people add scale and life to the breathtaking rice terraces. Afterward, we return to Hanoi, where the late afternoon is dedicated to street photography, concluding the day with a sunset shoot over West Lake. Meals included: B September 26: Hanoi, Cao Bang, God’s Eye Mountain After having breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Cao Bang. We'll make a brief stop to process the necessary permits to enter the frontier area of Cao Bang. Our journey continues to Nui Mat Than, also known as God's Eye Mountain, a captivating destination renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty. The mountain's rolling, rocky peaks are nestled amid lush, curvaceous green grass, creating a poetic, picturesque scene reminiscent of a beautiful valley. We'll have a photography session here at sunset. Meals: B, D |
September 27: Trung Khanh, Valley of Phong Nam, Ngoc Con
We begin the day with a sunrise shoot at the majestic God’s Eye Mountain, then return to our homestay for breakfast and a short rest. After check-out and a warm farewell to our hosts, we transfer to Trung Khanh to photograph the breathtaking landscapes of Ngoc Con and Phong Nam Valleys, capturing them in the golden light of late afternoon and at sunset. Following the shoot, we continue to our accommodation near the Ban Gioc Waterfall. Meals: B, D September 28: Valley of Phong Nam, Ngoc Con, Ban Gioc Waterfall Our day begins early with a sunrise shoot in Phong Nam Valley, home to the Tay tribe. The tribe has significantly contributed to the commune’s beauty with their agricultural works, particularly the rice paddy cultivated along the Quay Son River. Like other parts of Northern Vietnam, the commune is at its most beautiful during the rice harvest season in autumn (September to October), attracting travelers with its wild beauty and peaceful rural life. The day continues with a landscape photography session in the frontier area of Trung Khanh and concludes with a visit to the stunning Ban Gioc Waterfall at dusk. Meals: B, D September 29: Cao Bang, Hanoi We start the day with a final sunrise shoot at the magnificent Ban Gioc Waterfall before bidding farewell to our hosts. From there, we begin the journey back to Hanoi, stopping along the way to photograph and experience the traditional craft of soy sauce-making. Meals: B, D Sept 30: Departure There’s free time for you to relax or further explore the city on your own until we take you to the airport and fly home with wonderful memories. Meals: B |
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TOUR COST
2750 USD or the equivalent in PHP (double / twin room rate) 3150 USD or the equivalent in PHP (single room rate) A monthly installment plan is available. Please enquire. WHAT'S INCLUDED? ✓ Twin accommodations for 9 nights ✓ Meals stated in the itinerary ✓ Daily bottled water ✓ Private transportation service for 9 days ✓ Motorbike taxis to reach shooting locations at high vantage points ✓ Fees for local models ✓ Entrance fees to locations ✓ Border permit to enter Cao Bang ✓ English-speaking local guide ✓ Parking fees ✓ 2 Tour leaders and 1 driver |
NOT INCLUDED
X Accommodation outside the tour date X International and/or domestic flights X Airport transfers X Drone permits (100-150 USD) X Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and the likes X Personal and incidental expenses X Meals not stated in the inclusions X Visa fees (if applicable) X Travel insurance X Laundry X Tips/gratuity to the local guide and driver DRONE PERMIT FEE X Optional drone permit (prepare 100-150 USD) If you've paid for the drone permit in South and Central Vietnam, no need to pay for the Northern Photo Tour |
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PAYMENT AND RESERVATION
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. Down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and e-mail the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the photography tour name in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
1. A 500 USD or the equivalent in PHP down payment or deposit is required upon registration. Down payment is non-refundable and non-transferable.
2. A monthly installment plan is available. Please message us if you want to avail of this payment scheme.
3. Down payment can be made using credit or debit cards. Click the "RESERVE NOW" link below.
4. If you are paying the down payment via wire/bank transfer, please send it to any of the bank accounts below and e-mail the proof of payment to [email protected] or [email protected]. Include your full name and the photography tour name in your email.
5. After payment, please fill out this REGISTRATION FORM.
6. We will send a receipt of payment and PDFs containing more information about the photo tour.
7. The balance is required to be fully settled 90 days before the first day of the tour. You may send the balance by wire/bank transfer, or by credit/debit card via a secure PayPal payment link.
FOR BANK/WIRE TRANSFERS, PLEASE USE ANY OF THE ACCOUNTS BELOW
Bank: UnionBank of the Philippines (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Shutter Adventures Co
Account Number: 0005-8002-0812
BIC/Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Bank Code: 010419995
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (US DOLLAR ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 3254-0482-07
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 9809-2077-33
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: BDO, Unibank, Inc. (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account Number: 008180116757
BIC/Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Bank Code: 010530667
Paypal
[email protected]
Bank: UnionBank of the Philippines (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Shutter Adventures Co
Account Number: 0005-8002-0812
BIC/Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Bank Code: 010419995
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (US DOLLAR ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 3254-0482-07
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account: 9809-2077-33
BIC/Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
Bank Code: 010040018
Bank: BDO, Unibank, Inc. (PESO ACCOUNT)
Account Name: Francis Eneria Ansing
Account Number: 008180116757
BIC/Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Bank Code: 010530667
Paypal
[email protected]
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THINGS TO BRING
- Travel document (passport) - Comfortable clothes for 10 days - Light rain jacket - Waterproof trekking shoes - Trekking pants - Flashlight or headlamp - Personal medicines - Pocket money - Cellular phone with data/internet |
CAMERA GEAR
- Camera body (mirrorless or DSLR) - Lenses (16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm) - Sturdy tripod - Filters (CPL, NDs, and GND) - Extra batteries - Extra memory cards - Rain protector - Laptop or tablet for transferring and reviewing files - External hard drive - Drone (recommended) |