VIETNAM IN FOCUS PHOTO TOURS AND WORKSHOPS THE SEPTEMBER 19th 1st OCTOBER 2018
For the ultimate mountain photo adventure, we head north to capture golden season on the towering rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai and Sapa. With rainy season over and the harvest fast approaching, the paddies go from bright green to gold in a matter of weeks, a landscape photographer s dream. The Harvest Festival in Mu Cang Chai attracts ethnic minority people from all over the north for markets and games in the centre of town. The road then takes us north to remote Lai Chau province and the spectacular O Quy Ho Pass, before we arrive in the former colonial hill station of Sapa. From there we head into remote Hoang Su Phi, also home to a great arena of golden rice terraces at this time of year. In many paddies, the local ethnic minorities are already cutting the crops, and we ll capture stunning portraits of rural life. We round off the trip with an adventure in Ha Giang s incredible Dong Van Rocky Plateau, a staggering volcanic landscape home to a colourful array of ethnic groups. This is a premium photographic adventure, and we ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from stylish bamboo eco-lodges to mountain resorts and restored H mong forts. We ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence. We travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. At the same time, our close connection to the people of this region, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalelled access to the authentic life of the ethnic minorities and the area s most stunning vistas. As working photographers and journalists, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and photographic storytelling.
ITINERARY Day 1 - September 19th - Hanoi Complimentary airport pick-up. Check into our boutique Old Quarter hotel, and orientation. We enjoy a welcome dinner with the ViF team in the evening and our group at a gourmet Vietnamese restaurant. Day 2 - September 20th - Hanoi - Pu Luong We have an early start to enjoy a special Hanoi Explorer photo tour, taking in Long Bien market, the railway tracks and Old Quarter streets. Explore and photograph Hanoi s hidden corners with the guidance of the ViF team. In the afternoon, we head southwest down the Ho Chi Minh Highway for stunning Pu Luong Nature Reserve. The trip takes around 4.5 hours, and we ll have time for a sunset trek and shoot in the surrounding valley. Dinner at our eco-lodge before overnight. Day 3 - September 21st - Ban Hieu Waterfall We re up at dawn to capture sunrise over the golden rice terraces surrounding our ecolodge. After breakfast, we drive 10km to the trailhead leading to Ban Hieu waterfall. The trail takes us through scattered stilt house villages and past many water-wheels irrigating the surrounding paddies. Ban Hieu waterfall cascades in steps from the forested peaks above. We return to our ecolodge for lunch and a rest. In late afternoon, we ll walk further down the valley below our accommodation to visit local Muong villages and photograph their traditional way of life. Day 4 - September 22nd - Pu Luong - Moc Chau From Pu Luong we head west into the mountains of Son La province. As we approach Moc Chau, we encounter landscapes similar to northern Europe: rolling hills with cattle grazing. The only difference is that the farmers are mainly Black Thai minority people dressed in their colourful garb. This is northwest Vietnam s agricultural heartland, producing dairy and a variety of fruits from the many orchards scattered across the valleys. It s also a major hub for tea manufacture, and we ll stop at some of the incredible, swirl-patterned tea plantations on the way. we arrive at our Black Thai-run ecolodge in early afternoon. Before dinner, we ll take a photographic wander around the village of stilt houses and beautiful paddies nearby.
Day 5 - September 23rd - Moc Chau - Mu Cang Chai We ll have a long road journey today, but with many incredible landscapes to enjoy and photograph along the way. First we cross the vast Song Da Reservoir, and we ll capture the lives of fishing families living on the shores of the lake. The road then takes us towards Phu Yen, the gateway to Vietnam s high northwest. There are amazing views on the route to Nghia Lo, and we ll stop for some classic shots of rural life. The final part of the journey is an unforgettable one, and we ll be photographing sunset from the Khau Pha pass, one of this country s most spectacular spots. We arrive at our ecolodge in time for dinner. Day 6 - September 24th - Mu Cang Chai Today we explore various locations around Mu Cang Chai, including Mam Xoi viewpoint and Mui Giay Hill. We ll also climb up to La Pan Tan village. The route here winds through some of the most incredible rice terraces in Asia, and the village is home to H mong tribespeople renowned for their colourful dress. Our main attractions in this area, however, are the towering rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, auburn and gold at this time of year, and a feast for the landscape photographer s lens. Day 7 - September 25th - Mu Cang Chai - Sapa From Mu Cang Chai, the road takes us into remote Lai Chau province, and there are incredible views of Fan Xi Pan and other mountains of the Hoang Lien Son range. The road up to Sapa takes us winding over the O Quy Ho Pass, a spot offering spectacular landscapes. We arrive in Sapa in early afternoon, and check into our hotel. We ll have time to explore some villages nearby around sunset. Sapa is also a good place to buy tribal textiles and other gifts for home, although you ll need to wear your bargaining hat. Day 8 - September 26th - Sapa to Pan Hou From Sapa we make an early start to travel east via Bac Ha town. Bac Ha is situated on a plateau, and surrounded by some stunning valleys. We head further east into remote Hoang Su Phi, we we ll encounter some stunning golden rice terraces. The harvest has already begun here, and there are minority workers in the fields, giving human drama to our images. We arrive at our ecolodge in late afternoon. Accommodation is a comfortable private bungalow, and spa and massage is available.
Day 9 - September 27th - Pan Hou We ll be able to do some light trekking around Pan Hou to explore remote Dzao and Giay villages. This area is little-visited by tourists, and we ll be able to capture candid portraits of minority life. There is plenty to photograph in this beautiful area, but it s also a great spot to relax and recharge. In the evening, we ll review and select pictures taken so far, and look closely at the concept of pacing in a photographic story. Optional massage and herbal hot bath. Day 10 - September 28th - Pan Hou - Nam Dam We ll travel from Pan Hou along remote backroads into Ha Giang. On the way, we have time to spend photographing the spectacular landscapes of Heaven s Gate and Tam Son. At Nam Dam, we ll meet a Red Dzao family, giving us an up-close look at the daily life and traditions of this minority. Long-time friends of ours, the family are also happy to sit for a portrait shoot, and we ll be focusing on composition and lighting for these kind of pictures. In the evening we enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the region, home-cooked by our Red Dzao hosts. Day 11 - September 29th - Nam Dam - Meo Vac The beautiful route into the Dong Van rocky plateau takes us past adobe mud villages and French colonial ruins. However, the main attractions are the unique landscapes and minority people of the rocky plateau. After Dong Van town, we ll make the very short but spectacular journey through the clouds across the Ma Pi Lan Pass. As the light changes and the mist rises from Vietnam s deepest gorge, an unearthly scene of volcanic rock formations emerges, the vivid clothes of local H mong, Nung and Hoa people like beacons in the gloom. Overnight in Meo Vac.
Day 12 - September 30th - Meo Vac This morning we visit Meo Vac s colourful ethnic minority market. People from a rich variety of ethnic minority groups descend from their villages in the mountains to trade, barter and catch up with old friends. It makes for a colourful and unique photographic project, with great chances for portraiture and pictures of people at work and play. After lunch, we enjoy an afternoon exploring the local area or relaxing at the lodge and catching up on picture editing. Day 13 - October 1st - Meo Vac - Thac Ba Now we head out of the rocky plateau and back to Ha Giang. Taking a different route through the mountains, we have a last chance to capture some of the jaw-dropping landscapes and picturesque adobe villages of the region. We ll break our return to Hanoi at a tranquil eco-lodge on Thac Ba Lake. We have a chance now to select and edit our picture stories from the tour. Day 14 - October 2nd - Thac Ba - Hanoi After a sunrise shoot on the shores of the beautiful lake, we return to Hanoi, arriving in the capital at lunchtime. Flights and onward travel depart at various times of day, with complimentary hotel drop-off.
Tour Dates September 19th - 2nd October Recommended Photography Equipment Digital camera Selections of lens Cable release Tripod Memory cards ND Graduated filters Laptop/tablet Storage device Included All transportation All accommodation during the tour All meals All non-alcoholic drinks All tickets and permits for sightseeing Excluded International flights Participants' travel insurance Participants visas
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