Northern Vietnam
September 14 – 27, 2026
1 Spot Left
Northern Vietnam
At a Glance
Location
Northern Vietnam
Tuition
$14,495
Dates
September 16 – 29, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Journey
- Signature Collection
Northern Vietnam Photography Workshop
Beautiful Landscapes, Stunning Geology, and Unique Local Culture
September 16 – 29, 2027
- Golden rice terraces create stunning layered landscapes
- Hmong and Tay villagers harvesting and working in their local villages
- Rugged limestone karsts in UNESCO Geopark Dong Van Plateau
In Northern Vietnam, the mountains rise in serrated layers and valleys unfold in terraces of rice that shimmer like scales in the evening light. Mist drifts through limestone towers at dawn, and village footpaths wind past wooden homes, tea fields, and rivers that have shaped the land for centuries. Markets burst into life at first light, while quiet hillsides tell stories of harvest and tradition. This is a landscape defined by texture, rhythm, and human connection.
Throughout our journey, we’ll photograph the region’s remarkable blend of scenery and culture, from the golden rice terraces of the highlands to the deep karst valleys and graceful waterfalls of the north. We’ll spend time among the Hmong, Tay, and Nung An people, making portraits when invited, and observing the beauty of daily life as it unfolds naturally. Expect moments with families harvesting rice by hand, artisans weaving linen or making incense, and children walking home along narrow paths carved into the hills.
The land here is a collaboration between people and nature. Over generations, the mountains have been carved into graceful terraces that follow the shape of the hills, catching the sky and reflecting the seasons. Rivers trace the valleys, waterfalls tumble through limestone cliffs, and every curve of the land feels intentional—shaped by both time and touch. It’s a place where natural and human beauty are inseparable, each enhancing the other. As the light shifts through the day, these patterns reveal new textures and moods, offering endless inspiration for the camera and the eye.
Learning is woven into every day. You’ll refine your skills in exposure and composition, street and portrait photography, and the art of storytelling through images. We’ll guide you in seeing beyond the obvious, helping you find rhythm, geometry, and emotion in both sweeping vistas and intimate details. Our image reviews will make sure you leave with a stronger eye and a cohesive body of work.
Cultural sensitivity is at the heart of this experience. We move slowly, ask permission, and say thank you. What you’ll take home is more than a set of photographs; it’s a genuine exchange with the people and landscapes of northern Vietnam, and a sense of having truly experienced this extraordinary place through your lens.
Your Pros
Sara Linssen
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
This workshop covers a lot of ground in remote, mountainous areas by car on roads that wind through the mountain passes. While we break up the driving with photo shoots from viewpoints or in the homes of the local tribes, there is a significant amount of time spent driving.
September 16, 2027: Arrive in Hanoi, Explore the Old Quarter, Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Hanoi (HAN) at any time today. A driver will greet you to take you to our hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Check into the hotel and relax. Enjoy a massage in the spa, explore the narrow, winding streets, or enjoy the open space of nearby Hoàn Kiếm Lake. This evening, we’ll have a group dinner to kick off our Vietnam workshop experience.
September 17, 2027: Photograph Duong Lam Village, Explore Soy Sauce Factory, Dinner in Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We’ll head out this morning to photograph the Duong Lam ancient village. We’ll focus on capturing the historic architecture dating as far back as the 17th century, picturesque alleyways, and the rural life of this historic landmark. After a break for lunch, we’ll photograph a soy sauce factory. Our day ends with dinner at a local restaurant in Hanoi.
September 18, 2027: Travel to Mu Cang Chai, Sustainable Luxury Resort, Scenic Photography Stops
After breakfast, we will transfer to Mu Cang Chai (7 hours). Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch and also take a break to photograph from a viewpoint in the Khau Pha pass. Our accommodation in Mu Cang Chai is a contemporary luxury resort featuring sustainable bamboo architecture and stunning views of the surrounding rice terraces.
September 19–20, 2027: Sunrise and Sunset Photography, Explore Local Villages, Image Review in Mu Cang Chai
We’ll have two full days to photograph the stunning terraced rice fields and the local villages in Mù Cang Chải, ensuring we have time to take in all the area has to offer. We’ll photograph local Hmong in their traditional dress at the stunning Raspberry rice terraces. This fantastic location is worth visiting at both sunrise and sunset, and we’ll do both! We will also photograph the rice terraces at Kim Noi and Lao Chải. Access to the rice terraces is via motorbike taxi.
In the villages, we will photograph the local people who will welcome us into their homes, where we will use our mobile studio lights to capture their way of life in traditional dress.
During these days, we will also have one of our signature image reviews through lunch at our hotel. This provides an opportunity to review your work for technical issues and to view it through the eyes of others, enabling you to refine your compositions and techniques to suit your personal taste.
September 21, 2027: Last Photographs in Mu Cang Chai, Transfer to Long Coc and its Tea-Covered Hills
This morning is our last opportunity to photograph in Mu Cang Chai. After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel for transfer to Long Coc (5 hours) with a stop for lunch along the way.
Our accommodation in Long Coc is set among the rolling tea-covered hills of Long Coc. This simple rural lodge places us close to one of northern Vietnam’s most photogenic landscapes: misty tea “islands,” village life, and soft morning light over the highlands. It’s a quiet base for early starts, cultural encounters, and photographing the layered green hills that define this less-traveled region. We will enjoy the view and photograph the sunset from the tea hill.
September 22, 2027: Long Coc Sunrise, transfer to Ha Gian
Before sunrise, we’ll travel by motorbike taxi from our homestay to a nearby viewpoint in the Long Coc tea hills. This early start gives us the best chance for mist, soft light, and layered views across the rounded tea-covered hills that make this area so distinctive.
As the morning unfolds, we’ll photograph local Mường people in traditional dress as they pick tea leaves among the fields. This is a wonderful opportunity to work with environmental portraits, cultural details, and wider scenes that connect people to the landscape. The emphasis will be on thoughtful, respectful photography while capturing the atmosphere of rural life in northern Vietnam.
After breakfast, we’ll check out and depart for Ha Giang (5.5 hours), stopping for lunch along the way. After arriving in the afternoon, we’ll check in and take some time to rest before heading out to Tha village.
Set among rice fields, palm trees, and traditional stilt houses, Tha offers a peaceful introduction to Ha Giang’s rural landscapes and village life. We’ll spend the late afternoon photographing quiet lanes, daily life, and the warm textures of this Tay village as the light softens over the surrounding hills.
September 23, 2027: Ha Giang to Dong Van
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll depart for Dong Van, a dramatic mountain drive (5 hours), with several photography stops along the way.
Our first stop will be at Bac Sum Slope, where the road begins to climb into the limestone mountains of Ha Giang. From there, we’ll continue to the Quan Ba viewpoint. Reaching the best shooting position requires climbing roughly 200 steps, but the reward is a sweeping view over the valley and surrounding peaks.
Later in the morning, we’ll visit the Lung Tam linen weaving workshop, where Hmong artisans continue the traditional process of making hemp linen. This is a chance to photograph hands at work, natural fibers, tools, textiles, and the quiet details of a living craft tradition.
We’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the route before continuing toward Dong Van. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Sung La village, a beautiful settlement set among the stone landscapes of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Here, we’ll photograph elders at an old village house, with opportunities for environmental portraits, architectural details, and scenes that reflect the character of life in the highlands.
We’ll arrive in Dong Van in the late afternoon, followed by dinner and overnight at Hoa Cuong Dong Van Hotel.
September 24, 2027: Dong Van, Lung Cu Market, Lo Lo Chai, and Lao Xa
We’ll make an early departure for the Lung Cu weekly market, about one hour from Dong Van. This lively highland market brings together people from surrounding minority villages and offers rich opportunities for documentary photography: traditional clothing, market stalls, early-morning activity, and the region’s social life.
After the market, we’ll continue to the nearby Lo Lo Chai village for breakfast at a local restaurant run by members of the Lo Lo community. We’ll then spend time walking through the village, photographing traditional homes, stone walls, quiet lanes, and daily life in this distinctive mountain settlement.
Late in the morning, we’ll return to Dong Van for a rest and lunch.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive about one hour to Lao Xa, a remote Hmong village known for its traditional houses and strong sense of place. From the vehicle drop-off, we’ll walk approximately 600 meters to reach an old village house, where we’ll photograph interior details, architecture, and environmental portraits that reflect life in the highlands.
Later in the day, we’ll continue to Tham Ma Slope for sunset photography. This dramatic mountain road, with its sweeping curves and limestone scenery, is one of the iconic views of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. After sunset, we’ll drive back to Dong Van for dinner and overnight.
September 25, 2027: Dong Van, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and the Nho Que River
We’ll depart early for sunrise photography from a viewpoint along Ma Pi Leng Pass, about 30 minutes from Dong Van. This is one of the most dramatic mountain roads in northern Vietnam, with steep limestone cliffs, layered peaks, and expansive views into the valley below. We’ll arrive before sunrise, so tripods will be needed for low-light photography.
After sunrise, we’ll return to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the morning will be set aside for rest or a photo review session at the hotel, giving everyone time to recharge and reflect on the images made so far.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll transfer to the Nho Que River for a private boat trip through the Tu San Canyon. From the boat, we’ll photograph the river’s turquoise water, towering canyon walls, and the dramatic scale of the surrounding karst landscape. Our private boat ride will last approximately 45 minutes, with additional photo stops along the way for views over the river and valley.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to the mountains for another sunset photography opportunity in the Dong Van landscape before dinner at a local restaurant in town.
September 26, 2027: Dong Van Market, God’s Eye Mountain, and Cao Bang
We’ll begin the morning with a short walk from our hotel to the Dong Van Sunday market, the largest weekly market in town. This is one of the best opportunities to photograph the energy of Dong Van: minority communities arriving from surrounding villages, colorful traditional dress, market stalls, food vendors, livestock, and the lively social rhythm of a highland market morning.
After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we’ll check out and begin the transfer toward Cao Bang (4 hours). Our route takes us through the mountain landscapes of northern Vietnam, with lunch at a local hotel restaurant in Bao Lac after approximately four hours of driving.
After lunch, we’ll continue toward God’s Eye Mountain, a striking limestone formation known for the large natural opening through its peak. We expect to arrive in the late afternoon, when the softer light gives us a strong opportunity to photograph the mountain, the surrounding valley, and the rural landscape.
After our photo session, we’ll continue to Cao Bang city for dinner and overnight at our Cao Bang Hotel.
September 27, 2027: Fisherman at Dawn, Special Visit to Phia Thap Incense Village, Fisherman at Dawn
This morning, we depart early for the Phong Nam valley, where the mountains reflect in the Quay Son River as the sun rises. We’ll photograph a fisherman on the river on his traditional bamboo raft with a handmade net.
After breakfast, we’ll have a special visit to Phia Thap, an ethnic minority (Nùng) village renowned for its centuries-old incense-making tradition. The village preserves this cultural tradition by using natural materials, such as bamboo and sawdust, to create incense, which is then dried in the sun. After lunch and a little downtime at the hotel, we return to photograph the fishermen in a different setting along the river. Our day ends at our next hotel in Cao Bang for dinner and time to review your images.
September 28, 2027: Return to Hanoi, Relax in Hotel Day Room, Optional Last Night Stay
Today we return to Hanoi (7 hours) with a stop for lunch along the way. Flights home can be as early as 8:00 PM this evening, but everyone will have a hotel room for this night, so you can use it as a day room before your departure, or book your flight for the following day, and enjoy one last night in Hanoi before heading home.
September 29, 2027: Depart from Hanoi, Enjoy a Relaxing Morning, Breakfast Included
If you haven’t departed yesterday evening, you can book your flight home anytime today. Breakfast is included today.
Activities
While this workshop does not include long or strenuous hikes, there are several challenges that you need to be prepared for and capable of participating in safely.
- Access to many of our locations is only available via motorbike. You will sit on the back as a local driver takes you on the trails to these locations. The trails are mostly paved, but some sections are dirt trails.
- Getting to specific viewpoints in the rice paddies will often require walking along the retaining wall for several hundred feet. Think of it as walking on a balance beam. Trekking poles are of little use since there will be a significant drop-off on one side and mud on the other. This requires adequate balance and slow, careful walking.
- Nothing is built to code in Vietnam. Stairs are steep, narrow, uneven, and often without handrails. Ramps are steep and often slippery.
Driving
We cover a lot of ground in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. There are few highways, and most of the roads are smaller mountain roads. We have designed the itinerary to break up the driving as much as possible, but some days will have long drives.
Fitness
Moderate: Be prepared for motorbike travel on trails, some of which may be dirt, to access photography locations. Walking along narrow retaining walls in rice paddies requires careful balance. Expect steep, uneven stairs without handrails. Long drives on mountain roads are part of the itinerary, with breaks planned to mitigate fatigue.
Flights
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), Hanoi (Soc Son) anytime on September 16, 2027. Flights out can be made after 8:00 PM on September 29, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,200 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- Internal flights during the workshop.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!.
Not Included
- Travel to and from Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,200 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $5,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $5,000 is due by January 1, 2027.
- The balance is due not later than May 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply, including our cancellation and refund policy.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll refine your skills in exposure and composition, street and portrait photography, and storytelling through images. We'll guide you in finding rhythm, geometry, and emotion in both sweeping vistas and intimate details, ensuring you leave with a stronger eye and a cohesive body of work.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, you'll get a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition. From 90 to 61 days, refunds cover payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
The maximum group size for this workshop is 6 participants, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience with the instructors and the local culture.
Yes, medical evacuation insurance and travel medical insurance are required for this workshop. While trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is strongly recommended to protect your investment.
A moderate fitness level is required, as the workshop involves walking on uneven ground and balancing on narrow paths in the rice paddies. You'll also need to be comfortable sitting on the back of a motorbike for access to certain locations.
Yes, you'll have numerous opportunities to engage with local communities, including the Hmong, Tay, and Nung An people. You'll photograph daily life, participate in cultural exchanges, and capture portraits when invited, providing a genuine connection with the people of northern Vietnam.
Accommodations range from contemporary luxury resorts with stunning views to intimate homestays offering cozy, home-like experiences. Each location is chosen to enhance your experience and provide comfort after a day of exploration.
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