Vietnam: Landscapes of Light and Texture
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11 Days | Up to 8 Photographers | Starting at $15,995

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Vietnam: Landscapes of Light and Texture

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop
Book Trip
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Vietnam: Landscapes of Light and Texture

Lodge-Based Photo Workshop

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Trip Leader(s)
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Starting From [Block//Current Price]

Single Supplement: +$995.00
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   Deposit: $3,000.00
Start/End

Hanoi, Vietnam / Da Nang International Airport (DAD)

Length

11 Days/10 Nights

Fitness Level

Level 1 - What's This?

Group Size

Up To 7 Guests

Highlights
  • ​​​Mu Cang Chai Terraces: Sweeping mountain valleys carved into golden and green rice fields, with dramatic sunrise and sunset light.

  • Mam Xoi & Horseshoe Viewpoints: Iconic highland landscapes offering layered panoramas, mist-filled valleys, and endless compositions.

  • Hue’s Tam Giang Lagoon: Expansive mirror-like waters reflecting vibrant skies at dawn and dusk for minimalist, atmospheric images.

  • Hoi An & Da Nang Coastline: Serene rivers, dense nipa palm forests, and sunrise seascapes along Vietnam’s central coast.

If you have any questions about a trip, itinerary, or gear, our Photo Experience Team is available for a personalized one-on-one consultation to provide all the details you need.
Trip Description:

Vietnam is a land where mountains rise into drifting clouds, rivers reflect golden light, and the coast meets the endless horizon of the sea. On this journey, we’ll move from the lush highlands of Mu Cang Chai to the tranquil waters of Hue’s lagoons, and finally to the rivers and coastline around Hoi An and Da Nang. Each destination is chosen for its striking natural beauty, offering photographers the chance to capture scenes that feel timeless and elemental.

​​​​​​​Mu Cang Chai: Vietnam’s Highland Masterpiece
High in the northern mountains, Mu Cang Chai is one of Asia’s most breathtaking natural wonders. For centuries, farmers have carved rice terraces into the slopes, creating vast “stairways” of green and gold that cascade down the valleys. From above, these terraces curve gracefully around the contours of the land, catching light differently as the sun moves through the day.

We’ll focus our lenses on iconic viewpoints such as Mam Xoi Hill, where waves of terraces fan out beneath us, and the famed “Horseshoe” bend, where the land forms an elegant natural amphitheater. At sunrise, mist rises from the valleys, softening the terraces into layers of pastel light. By sunset, golden tones sweep across the mountains, igniting the fields in a glow that feels almost unreal.

Mu Cang Chai isn’t just about the broad landscapes, though. Narrow paths between the paddies reveal intimate details — a single tree standing against terraces, reflections of sky in the flooded fields, and dramatic cloudscapes rolling across ridgelines. The air is crisp, the scenery expansive, and the opportunities for dramatic, layered compositions are endless. For photographers seeking pure landscape grandeur, this is Vietnam at its peak.

Hue: Mountains, Rivers, and Lagoons
Moving south, Hue offers a quieter, more reflective landscape. The Perfume River winds gently through the region, flanked by forested hills and ancient pagodas perched above the water. Beyond the city, the vast Tam Giang Lagoon stretches across the horizon, its still waters acting like a mirror at sunrise and sunset. Here, the interplay of sky and water creates minimalist compositions, with wide-open reflections broken only by traditional fishing nets or distant tree lines. The surrounding hills provide elevated views of rivers winding through lush valleys, while lotus ponds add a splash of seasonal color. Hue is a place of balance and calm, where soft light meets tranquil landscapes.

Hoi An & Da Nang: Rivers, Palms, and Coastline
Further along the central coast, the landscape shifts to rivers and the sea. The Thu Bon River snakes through Hoi An, offering endless opportunities for reflections and long exposures, especially in the quiet hours of dawn. Just beyond the town lies the Cam Thanh Coconut Forest, a dense landscape of nipa palms where waterways weave into green tunnels of light and shadow. Along the coastline near Da Nang, long sandy beaches meet the South China Sea, perfect for sunrise seascapes. Off in the distance, the Marble Mountains rise abruptly from the plains, their limestone peaks offering sweeping views of both coast and countryside.

​​​​​​​Designed for Photographers
Throughout this journey, we’ll position ourselves for the best light — misty mornings in the mountains, golden sunsets on lagoons, and blue-hour reflections on rivers. By focusing on Vietnam’s most dramatic natural settings, this trip creates a portfolio that captures the country’s landscapes at their most luminous and unforgettable!



What's Included
  • All listed meals and non-alcoholic beverages during the workshop

  • All lodging during the workshop

  • Internal flights

  • Airport transfers

  • All permits and park fees

  • Professional photography guiding and instruction

  • Gratuity for hotel, restaurant, and service staff

What's Not Included
  • International flights

  • Meals not listed as included on the itinerary

  • Lodging outside workshop dates

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Souvenirs and personal items

  • Gratuity for photography guide(s). Please refer to our FAQ section for more details about gratuities

  • Trip Insurance & Medical Evacuation Insurance - see plans here.

Details
  • Final Balance Due 120 days prior to Trip Start​​​​​​​ 
  • Trip Insurance Required​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 

 Trip Itinerary 

Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

​​​​​​​Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Today we'll arrive in Hanoi and get settled in at our hotel. Arrival flights can be scheduled for any time on this day because we'll start our touring tomorrow morning.

Days 2 & 3: Hanoi (B,L,D)
After breakfast and orientation, we’ll start our trip with a visit to the incense village, where bright bundles of incense dry in perfect patterns and local artisans shape them by hand. We'll visit other local highlights like Hanoi’s ceramic road, a soy sauce–making village, and a bamboo fishing trap village where we’ll see craftsmen weaving their delicate traps by hand.

Day 4: Hanoi to Viet Tri (B,L,D)
The day begins with waterlilies in bloom, reflected against calm waterways and limestone cliffs. After breakfast, we explore Duong Lam ancient village, wandering its narrow alleys, old houses, and lively courtyards before moving on to Viet Tri City, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 5: Viet Tri to Mu Cang Chai (B,L,D)
We leave early for the tea hills of Long Coc, arriving in time to catch the sunrise glowing over rolling green slopes. Later, we photograph the sweeping rice terraces of Tu Le valley, meeting local farmers and documenting their work before ending the day in Mu Cang Chai.

Day 6: Mu Cang Chai (B,L,D)
We start at the famous Mam Xoi viewpoint for sunrise over the terraces, then spend the day exploring the fields, villages, and mountain views of the region. As the sun sets, we’ll photograph the Horse-shoe terraces glowing in the warm evening light.

Day 7: Mu Cang Chai to Hue (B,L,D)
One last sunrise in the terraces before we make our way back to Hanoi for a short flight south to Hue. By evening we’ll be checked into our hotel, with time to rest and prepare for the next chapter of the trip.

Day 8: Hue (B,L,D)
The day begins with sunrise at the lagoon outside the city, followed by time exploring the Imperial City. In the evening, we’ll photograph fishermen casting their nets before a lantern ceremony on the river.

Day 9: Hue to Hoi An (B,L,D)
Morning light over Hue’s lagoon sets the tone for today. By afternoon we’re on the road to Hoi An, where sunset along the river and the glowing lanterns after dark make for a perfect evening of photography.

Day 10: Hoi An (B,L,D)
We’ll spend the morning with local fishermen, capturing the beauty of traditional net casting. Later, we’ll explore a net-weaving village and document the bright colors of sedge workers preparing materials for mats.

Day 11: Da Nang (B,L)
On the final day of our adventure, our photography expedition continues to capture the red-shanked douc, often called the "Queen of Primates" for its vibrant, multicolored appearance, including red lower legs, white forearms, a silver crown, red cheek hair, and a white tail. This critically endangered species, native to Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia), is known for its unique, costume-like fur. By early afternoon we’ll head to Da Nang International Airport, where the trip concludes.

Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures, and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and landscape photography, we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions.
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"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS

"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.

- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director

CONTACT US

Monday-Friday
8am to 4pm Mountain Time
928-478-1521
adventure@backcountryjourneys.com

TRIP CATALOG

Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.

All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
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