Vietnam - South to North Photo Tour.

Take magnificent portraits through the lens of harmony and peace.

The Tour.

Join us on an incredible photographic adventure through Vietnam, where we travel from the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City to the fascinating capital city of Hanoi and beyond. We explore the lively floating markets of the Mekong Delta, the colourful coastal town of Hoi An, and the historic capital city of Huế, whose ancient palaces and temples stand as testaments to Vietnam's imperial past. From there, we cross the stunning Hai Van pass en route to Hanoi, with its famous cathedral, the Temple of Literature and the incense village of Quang Phu Cau.

From Hanoi, we drive to the beautiful Pu Luong nature reserve, where the emerald-hued rice terraces cascade down lush hills. We then venture to the magical UNESCO-protected Ninh Binh, with its majestic limestone karsts rising from the emerald waters. Our journey ends with an optional overnight extension to the serene Halong Bay, spending the night aboard a traditional junk boat and witnessing the magical sunset and sunrise that you can only photograph from a boat.

Although Vietnam's history of war may be what many people associate with the country, it is an oasis of harmony and peace, offering captivating natural beauty and tranquil villages. The country has done a remarkable job of healing its wounds since it was officially united decades ago, and today it is an outstanding travel destination that offers something for everyone – history, cultural heritage, or exploring the country's abundant exotic fauna and flora.

Ho Chi Minh City has become a vast, bustling metropolis with modern building projects and quaint old cafes, while the Mekong Delta still boasts vibrant floating markets. We will find an extensive coastline in the central region with quaint fishing villages and ancient citadels. In the highlands, we will discover hill tribes working on step rice terraces. In Hanoi, we will experience iconic Vietnam with food vendors wearing conical hats and balancing steaming pots of noodles on bamboo braces.

We are confident the beauty and diversity of the country, the warmth of its people, and the expertise of our guide will leave an indelible impression on your heart, and even more confident, Nathan's help will leave you with a photographic portfolio to cherish forever.

We have designed this tour for photographers of all levels, with an optional pre-tour technical and aesthetic workshop for those new to travel photography. Vietnam is a country full of remarkable contrasts, from bustling metropolises to tranquil villages, and with Nathan's help (who lives there), we will capture it all.

Photo Highlights.

  • fisherman-with-conical-hat-Hoi-An-Vietnam

    Portraits

    Friendly people

  • Incense-village-near-Hanoi-Vietnam.

    Incense village

    Local handicrafts

  • Moody sunrise over rice terraces Pu Luong North Vietnam

    Rice Terraces

    Pu Luong

  • Ladys-selling-pineapple-Vietnam-floating-market.JPG rket.

    Floating markets

    Can Tho

  • Ladies collecting water at Panna Meena Ka Kund near Amber Fort Rajasthan

    Mekong delta

    River life

  • Flag-on-bridge-over-river-HoI-An-Vietnam

    Hoi An

    Ancient fishing village

  • Fishing-boats-at-sunset-Vietnams-extensive-coast-line

    The coast

    Never-ending beaches

  • Camels in silhouette at sunrise in sam dunes, Rajasthan, India.

    Fishing villages

    Working scenes

  • Lady-in-hat-imperial-citadel-Hue

    Hue

    Imperial citadel

  • Hill tribe ladies walking past water wheels in Pu Luong North VietnamVietnam

    Hill tribes

    Pu Luong

  • Hoan-Kiem-lake-Hanoi -Vietnam

    Hoan Kiem lake

    By night

  • Junk-boat-Halong-Bay-Vietnam

    Halong Bay extension

    Optional

Tour Details.

Est. 2022

Duration: 13 days, 12 nights, 11 days of shooting.

Dates & Prices

2025

February 16 - March 1

US$6250 {+$650 Ha Long Bay extension}

Past participants will get a special discount.

Our fee includes hotels, breakfast, bottled water throughout the tour, as well as all transport including airport transfers. This tour also includes two internal flights. We base our fee on accommodation in a single room, (always A/C with private bathroom) though we offer discounts for couples sharing rooms, as well as for non-photographers.

Our Itinerary.

  • View-from-Majestic-hotel-HCMC-Vietnam

    Day 1

    Arrive any time: Enjoy free transfer to your hotel

    PM: Optional technical and aesthetic travel photography workshop for those who need it

    Sunset: Meet Nathan and the group

    Sleep: Riverside luxury heritage hotel

  • Traditional-mekong-delta-boat-on river-Vietnam

    Day 2

    Sunrise: Drive to Ben Tre

    AM: Mekong Delta adventure

    PM: Drive to Can Tho

    Sunset: Can Tho promenade

    Sleep: Can Tho luxury heritage hotel

  • Floating-market-vendors-Can-Tho

    Day 3

    Sunrise: Floating market

    AM: Chinese Temple

    PM: Fly to Hoi An

    Sunset: Walking food tour

    Sleep: Hoi An Boutique Hotel

  • Lady walking on Hoi An street

    Day 4

    Sunrise: Fishermen returning to harbour

    AM: Walking tour of Hoi An

    PM: Lightroom workshop

    Sunset: Street photography with model

    Sleep: Hoi An Boutique Resort

  • Sunny-beach-view-from-hai-van-pass-Vietnam

    Day 5

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Hai Van pass

    PM: Lang Co fishing villages

    Sunset: Lang Co lagoon

    Sleep: Lang Co beach side hotel

  • Day 6

    Sunrise: Beach fishing

    AM: Lotus ponds

    PM: Perfume River cruise

    Sunset: Neon Bridge shots

    Sleep: Hue

  • Lady-walking-through-gate-Imperial-citadel-Hue-Vietnam

    Day 7

    Sunrise: Imperial Citadel

    AM: Imperial Citadal

    PM: Fly to Hanoi

    Sunset: Cathedral

    Sleep: Hanoi boutique hotel

  • Girl-looking-out-red-window-temple-of-literature-Hanoi

    Day 8

    Sunrise: Breakfast

    AM: Incense village

    PM: Temple of Literature

    Sunset: Hoa Kiem lake by night

    Sleep: Hanoi boutique hotel

  • Hill-tribe-lady-in-rice-field-Pu-Luong-Vietnam

    Day 9

    Sunrise: Hoan Kiem lake

    AM: Drive to Pu Luong

    PM: Rice terrace walk

    Sunset: Rice terrace vantage point

    Sleep: Pu Luong hillside retreat

  • Mountains-at-sunrise-Pu-Luong-Vietnam

    Day 10

    Sunrise: Hotel balcony

    AM: Local hills with model

    PM: Local village walk

    Sunset: Waterfall

    Sleep: Pu Luong hillside retreat

  • Lady-on-boat-in-Ninh-Binh-Vietnam

    Day 11

    Sunrise: Hotel balcony

    AM: Guong Nuoc village

    PM: Drive to Ninh Binh

    Sunset: River boat trip

    Sleep: Ninh Binh garden resort

  • Wise-old-man-in-galaxy-Cave-Ninh-Binh- Vietnam

    Day 12

    Sunrise: Riverside activity

    AM: Galaxy cave

    PM: Drive to Hanoi

    Sunset: Hanoi back streets

    Sleep: Hanoi luxury hotel

  • sailing-boat-in-halong-bay-Vietnam

    Day 13

    Either enjoy our airport transfer anytime today.

    Note: Hotel checkout by noon

    Or consider our 24-hour Halong Bay extension with sunset and sunrise privileges

    We know you will have had a fabulous time

    Bon Voyage

Make the dream a reality.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, stunning photography is the name of the game, and our objective is for you to leave with a collection of images that you'll be proud to show off. Indeed, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Nathan’s teaching approach is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

If this is your first tour with us, you can also join Nathan’s pre-tour workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills for travel photography. Covering technical competence, creative observation, and ethical responsibility with a focus on people and culture, this workshop is perfect if you’re new to travel photography or need a refresher. The workshop runs on the first day of the tour from around 1-5pm. Enhance your photography skills and capture breathtaking moments to treasure forever. Apply via our tour request form and prepare to take your photography skills to the next level.

Where We Stay.

  • Luxury swimming pool in 5 star hotel, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

    Boutique hotels

    Accommodation is a key element of any tour and we have gone to great lengths to secure luxury hotels in amazing locations to enhance your sense of being in Vietnam. Unlike many other tours, we assume you will want a private room and bathroom all to yourself.

  • Luxury-room-in-hotel-Hanoi-Vietnam

    Charming rooms

    We do not charge a single-person supplement but we do offer a discount if you choose to share a room if you are travelling with a partner or friend. We are very competitively priced, but we don’t cut corners on accommodation; on the contrary, others can charge more for less, and we have no hidden costs.

  • Swimming-pool-Vietnam-mekong-delta

    Fabulous locations

    Although all our tours have photography as their primary concern, you deserve a rest, most of our hotels have areas where you can relax mid-day when you are not shooting. Our restaurant choices always have an exciting menu, and we consider your good health a primary concern.

TripAdvisor.

ouththere_68 - July 2022

A bucket list photography and sightseeing tour. The photography tours run by Nathan Horton surpass expectations. They are adventurous, exciting and filled with educational tips about photography and the culture. Nathan has the charm, expertise and local knowledge to make every day special.

Choose from 14 tours in 7 countries!

Sign up for our newsletter

for regular photography tips and tour updates.