Vietnam Landscape & Wildlife Photo Tour Workshop

Immerse yourself in the rugged majesty of Northern Vietnam and the rare biological wonders of the central coast on our Landscape & Wildlife Photo Tour. From the cascading Ban Gioc waterfall in Cao Bang to the legendary rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, this tour is designed to capture Vietnam’s most iconic vistas. The journey culminates in a rare opportunity to photograph the "Queen of Primates" - the Red-shanked Douc Langur - in its natural habitat, offering a world-class portfolio of both earth and life.

Instant Confirmation
Full License
Limousine Van
5-star Hotels
Drone Permit
Photography Guide

Expedition Summary

  • Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Tour starts: Hanoi
  • Ending place: Da Nang
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Group size: Max 6 photographers
  • Mentor: Tran Tuan Viet
  • Operator: Vietnam Photo Tours LLC

Key Locations

  • Cao Bang (Ban Gioc Waterfall, Phong Nam valley)
  • Mu Cang Chai (Rice Terraces)
  • Phu Tho (Tea Hills)
  • Da Nang (Red-shanked Douc)
  • Hoi An UNESCO town
  • Ends: Da Nang Int'nl Airport

Inclusions

  • Luxury resorts & 5-star hotels
  • 24/7 airport transfers
  • Private transport, 2 seats per photographer
  • 1 domestic flight with VIP lounge access
  • 3 meals per day
  • Specialized wildlife trackers
  • Drone permits & entry fees
  • 5G eSIM during the tour

Itinerary of Landscape & Wildlife Photography Workshop in Vietnam

Early in the morning, we depart Hanoi for Cao Bang’s northern highlands, where limestone karsts and deep valleys dominate the landscape. Along the route, elevated viewpoints offer striking opportunities to capture the region’s dramatic scale. Upon arrival, we settle into the hotel before a focused briefing on landscape photography techniques, emphasizing settings for flowing water and mountain light. The day ends with a traditional welcome dinner, fostering connection within the group and preparing us for the next morning’s shoot at the magnificent Ban Gioc waterfall. This introduction sets the tone for our exploration of Vietnam’s untouched borderlands.

We arrive at Ban Gioc Waterfall just as the first light reveals the three-tiered cascades veiled in morning mist above the Quay Son River. This session offers a refined chance to practice long-exposure photography, capturing water’s fluid motion against towering limestone formations. Later, we ascend to Phat Tich Truc Lam Ban Gioc Pagoda, where traditional architecture frames expansive views of the falls and borderlands. In the afternoon, soft light guides us to Phong Nam Valley, where winding rivers and rice paddies offer intimate compositions. The day ends with sunset hues illuminating the karst mountains before returning to Cao Bang.

Our photography group moves deliberately through Phong Nam Valley, capturing the morning mist weaving among karst peaks and reflecting on the river’s surface. The soft early light reveals vibrant rice fields and the stillness of water, offering refined atmospheric compositions. Later, we explore Vinh Quy Hill’s rolling grassy ridges, where descending sunlight casts long shadows and highlights the texture of hillsides and grazing cattle. The day culminates with a sunset shoot from the summit, presenting a panoramic view of the sun setting behind jagged mountains, a striking finale for landscape photography.

The rugged limestone plateaus of Cao Bang frame our group’s final morning as we begin the journey back to Hanoi. Along the way, we pause at overlooked mountain passes and ethnic minority villages, capturing authentic moments and striking landscapes. As the terrain softens into the Red River Delta, we review recent images and explore post-processing techniques during transit. Upon arrival in Hanoi, we settle into our luxury hotel, followed by a relaxed evening and a group dinner in the city center, reflecting on our Cao Bang experience and anticipating the next chapter in Mu Cang Chai’s terraced fields.

We begin by exploring Quang Phu Cau, where rows of crimson incense bundles dry under the sun, offering striking patterns and vivid color contrasts. Local artisans at work provide intimate portrait opportunities. Next, a bamboo basket village reveals intricate textures and geometric designs crafted by expert weavers in open courtyards. In the afternoon, Duong Lam Ancient Village invites us to photograph its distinctive laterite brick houses and narrow moss-covered alleys. Encounters with village elders add depth to our images. By evening, we arrive in Phu Tho, ready for tomorrow’s ascent to the high-altitude rice terraces.

As the morning mist lifts, our group explores the Long Coc tea hills, where rounded green mounds rise like islands across the landscape. Photographers focus on capturing the soft morning light highlighting the tea plantations’ flowing patterns and textures. We then ascend into the Hoang Lien Son range, where the terrain shifts dramatically. By late afternoon, we reach Tu Le Valley to photograph the golden sunset over expansive rice paddies and winding streams. The day concludes at Garrya Mu Cang Chai Resort, offering refined comfort and panoramic views of the terraces from its elegant architecture.

We begin our day at Mam Xoi viewpoint, renowned for its perfectly circular rice terraces, capturing the sunrise as it illuminates the landscape. The shifting light and mountain mist reveal the layered textures that define Mu Cang Chai’s terraced fields. Later, we explore Lao Chai and La Pan Tan, focusing on the verticality and scale of these man-made formations. In the afternoon, we move to the iconic Horse-shoe bend to photograph the terraces curving dramatically around the mountain. The day concludes with a sunset session and a quiet evening at Garrya Resort, reviewing our images.

From the terraced highlands of Mu Cang Chai, our group begins a scenic drive toward the capital, capturing final views of the sculpted landscapes. Along the route, we pause for a highland lunch and use the time to review mountain images and prepare gear for upcoming wildlife and seascape shoots. Arriving at Noi Bai International Airport, we board a short flight to Da Nang. After settling into a luxury resort, the group convenes for an evening briefing on Red-shanked Douc Langur photography techniques before dining by the ocean, immersed in the coastal atmosphere.

The group focuses on the vibrant Red-shanked Douc Langur within Son Tra Peninsula’s primeval forests, capturing its distinctive five-colored coat amid the dense canopy. Midday finds us in Hoi An, photographing local fishermen’s traditional net-casting along the coast. In the afternoon, we glide through Cam Thanh’s tranquil coconut waterways aboard basket boats, framing the fluid motion of rowers and the intricate textures of nipa palms. The day concludes with a golden hour session at Son Tra cliffs before a farewell dinner in Da Nang, celebrating a diverse collection from forest wildlife to coastal culture.

Our group moves quietly along Thu Bon river to capture the final sunrise, focusing on long-exposure seascapes and silhouettes of swimmers and fishermen returning with their catch. The calm light reveals subtle textures along the shoreline, offering refined compositions for this closing session. After breakfast at the resort, we gather briefly to review highlights and address any post-processing questions. By noon, a private transfer will take us to Da Nang International Airport. Departing with a diverse portfolio from misty waterfalls to golden terraces, you leave enriched by this unique photographic journey through Vietnam.

Photography Workshops Focus

  • Mastering Your Camera in the Field
    Go beyond theory and gain confidence using your camera in real shooting situations. Learn how to adapt to changing light, fast-moving scenes, and unpredictable conditions.
  • Storytelling Through Street Photography
    Immerse yourself in vibrant local life and capture meaningful human moments. Learn how to see stories unfold and translate them into powerful visual narratives.
  • Authentic Portrait Photography
    Photograph local people with respect and sensitivity. Discover how to create portraits that feel genuine, intimate, and culturally rich.
  • Epic Landscape Photography
    Chase golden light across mountains, rivers, and rice fields. Learn how to compose expansive scenes that convey scale, mood, and atmosphere.
  • Aerial Perspectives with Drone Photography
    Experience landscapes from above and unlock creative compositions impossible from the ground — with guided flights and proper permissions.
  • Editing for Impact
    Turn your travel images into portfolio-worthy photographs. Learn how to enhance mood, color, and depth while keeping your images natural and timeless.

Meet your Mentor

Tran Tuan Viet Portrait
Tran Tuan Viet
  • Wikipedia Listed Contemporary Photographer
  • National Geographic Contributor
  • Discovery Channel Featured Travel Photographer
  • Google Arts & Culture Photographer
  • Canon Brand Ambassador
  • Founder & CEO of Vietnam Photo Tours LLC

Dates & Prices

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Frequently Asked Questions

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