Mu Cang Chai Photo Tour

Mu Cang Chai Photo Tour
Arranging Incense Bundles Vietnam
Bamboo Basket Farmer
Sewing Net In Quang Nam
Colorful Sedge

Mu Cang Chai, the land of the world’s most stunning rice terraces and home to the H’Mong tribe. The Mu Cang Chai Photo Tour is a photography experience designed for photographers of all skill levels. Guided by Tran Tuan Viet, this tour provides personalized advice to help you capture the awe-inspiring landscapes and vibrant culture of Mu Cang Chai, guaranteeing an unforgettable photographic journey.

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2-seater per person
5-star hotels
Michelin restaurants
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Tour Summary

  • Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
  • Group size: maximum 6 participants
  • Tour starts: Hanoi
  • Ending place: Hanoi
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • Guide: Tran Tuan Viet

Destinations

  • Hanoi ceramic road, incense village
  • Train street (lesser known spot)
  • Tea hills, ancient village
  • Soy sauce village, bamboo basket village
  • Most famous Mu Cang Chai rice terraces
  • H’Mong corn house and bamboo forest

Included

  • Double occupancy in 5-star hotels and resorts
  • Site entry fees & model fees
  • 3 standard meals per day
  • Michelin restaurants & Vietnamese specialty
  • Unlimited bottled water & coffee breaks
  • Photography services, licensed tour guide

Mu Cang Chai Photography Tour Itinerary

Day 1. Ha Noi

Our tour begins as we journey to the iconic incense village on the outskirts of Hanoi — a destination renowned for its mesmerizing visual tapestry. In the early morning light, we photograph rows upon rows of vibrant red incense sticks, meticulously arranged to dry in the sun, creating a surreal, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Artisans dressed in traditional attire move gracefully through the colorful fields, offering powerful compositions that reflect the beauty, rhythm, and cultural heritage of Vietnamese village life.

This captivating scene provides a fitting finale to our journey, allowing participants to capture striking portraits, intricate textures, and powerful storytelling images. The tour concludes in the afternoon, filled with lasting memories and a portfolio rich with the spirit and soul of Vietnam.

After an inspiring shoot, we head to Hanoi for a welcome dinner, getting to know each other over delicious local cuisine and toasting to the adventure ahead.

Day 2. Ha Noi

We start the day exploring Hanoi’s famous Ceramic Road, capturing its intricate tilework as it glows in the morning light, each piece telling a story of artistry and tradition. Then, we travel to traditional soy sauce village, where the air is rich with the aroma of fermentation, and skilled artisans practice age-old techniques. We capture the heart of this culinary craft, preserving its legacy through our lenses.

Later, we visit a bamboo fishing trap village, where we document the artistry of local craftsmen weaving intricate traps. Each moment reflects the deep connection between people, tradition, and nature.

With a mix of textures, colors, and cultural narratives, today’s journey brings us deeper into Hanoi’s heritage, from ceramic artistry to culinary traditions and the craftsmanship of bamboo fishing traps.

After an inspiring shoot, we head to southern of Hanoi for photography concepts of women sew fishing net, and drying colorful sedge that use to make traditional sleeping mats. We use the same 5-stars hotel for this day.

Day 3. Ha Noi

Our photographic odyssey continues as we venture south of Hanoi, where the serene beauty of the countryside awaits. Here, amidst sprawling fields, we focus on an enchanting waterlily shooting session, capturing the delicate elegance of these blooms alongside the dedicated farmers who tend to them. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to document the harmonious interplay between nature and human endeavor, framed by the tranquil rhythms of rural life.

In the afternoon, we delve deeper into Vietnam’s rich cultural tapestry with a visit to the historic Duong Lam village, a living testament to the nation’s storied past. As we meander through its narrow, timeworn lanes, flanked by ancient homes steeped in history, we engage with the warm and welcoming locals, whose stories breathe life into this timeless setting. With cameras in hand, we capture the village’s enduring charm, from weathered architectural details to candid moments of daily life. Transitioning from the vibrant pulse of Hanoi to the serene authenticity of the countryside, this day’s journey allows us to craft a compelling visual narrative that encapsulates the heart, soul, and cultural depth of Vietnam.

Day 4. Mu Cang Chai

Our group departs Hanoi, chasing the first light over Long Coc tea hills. As the sun rises, we capture the rolling green landscapes bathed in golden hues before continuing toward Mu Cang Chai, where breathtaking terraced rice fields await.

In the late afternoon, we pause in the peaceful embrace of Tu Le valley, framing the day’s end with a stunning sunset over the lush countryside.

Day 5. Mu Cang Chai

We begin the day at the stunning Mam Xoi viewpoint, where sunrise casts a golden glow over Mu Cang Chai’s iconic terraced landscapes. Next, we visit a charming house adorned with hanging corn, capturing the rustic beauty of local life.

In the afternoon, we explore more breathtaking rice terraces, each step revealing a mesmerizing patchwork of green fields against the towering mountains. Today’s journey is a true visual feast, showcasing the beauty and heritage of Mu Cang Chai.

Day 6. Mu Cang Chai

We greet the day with a sunrise shoot over Lao Chai’s cascading rice terraces, where the soft morning light creates a magical scene. Later, we step inside a traditional H’Mong home, where golden corn hangs from the rafters, offering a glimpse into daily life.

After lunch, we continue capturing the breathtaking rice terraces, each tier revealing stories of tradition and hard work. As the sun sets over the “Horse-shoe” terraces, we frame the day’s final light dancing on this natural masterpiece. From dawn to dusk, today’s journey is a perfect blend of culture and landscape.

Day 7. Mu Cang Chai - Ha Noi

After an unforgettable journey through the majestic terraced mountains of Mu Cang Chai, where golden rice fields stretched endlessly beneath the clouds, we commenced our return to Hanoi. The scenic drive offered a final opportunity to reflect on the profound beauty and experiences of the past week. By afternoon, we arrived smoothly at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, marking the official conclusion of our expedition. Here, we shared heartfelt goodbyes, carrying with us cherished memories of an extraordinary adventure.

Scheduled Trips

Month Year

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Guide & Mentor

Tran Tuan Viet
Tran Tuan Viet

Tran Tuan Viet, a professional photographer and internationally published visual storyteller based in Hanoi. Since 2007, Viet has passionately documented the landscapes and culture of Vietnam.

His photographs have been featured in National Geographic, Discovery, Smithsonian, Google Arts & Culture, Apple, Samsung Global, etc... Viet is an official Canon Ambassador, a licensed tour guide, and founder of Vietnam Photo Tours LLC since 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mu Cang Chai provides fantastic photography opportunities throughout the year, with each season showing different aspects of its beauty. Water season: May to June. Harvest season: September to October.

We welcome everyone from beginners to experienced photographers on our Vietnam tours.

Our photography tours in Vietnam are comfortable and don't involve long walks or dangerous places, so they are suitable for most people.

Yes, you can use drones, and we can offer advice on how to get good aerial shots in Vietnam.

Our tours work well with different kinds of cameras, including DSLR, mirrorless cameras, drones, and even mobile phones.

We offer optional photo editing sessions as part of our tours and workshops. If you're interested, we can provide post-processing lessons to help you enhance the images you capture in Vietnam. For these sessions, you'll need Adobe Lightroom and/or Photoshop.

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