VIETNAM

Esta expedición estará dirigida en Español y en Inglés. Para Español, por favor presione aquí

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED!

Our Vietnam Photography Expedition from 7th-19th September 2017 is sold-out!

We are taking a second group from the 21st Sept. to 3rd Oct. 2017. The itinerary is exactly the same as below. Email us now, only 5 places available!

After several years of experience leading workshops, photography tours and expeditions, and as a seasoned traveller himself, John Quintero is ready for another epic adventure in Vietnam!

Join us from the 21st September to 3rd October 2017, John will take 10 people to this Southeast Asian country for a 12 days photography expedition around the most stunning locations and cultures.

Vietnam offers some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet and some of the most colourful and exotic cultures of Asia, and this expedition has been carefully designed to ensure you spend your time taking great photographs of hill tribes, markets, rice terraces, ancient temples and bustling streets, guided by Tam Nguyen, our expert  Vietnamese fixer and keen photographer.

From the moment you arrive in Hanoi, the photographic opportunities are endless. With John’s expertise and experience, you have to only worry about taking great photos, all the rest is covered by us.

Limited to only 10 participants. John’s goal is to work closely with each photographer on location,  analizing available light to ensure you shoot stunning photographs and create great visual stories of each situation. More than an expedition, this is a 12 days workshop where John will be available every day to help you out with your photography related questions, advising you on the best settings, composition, or spots to shoot from.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to join a professional photographer with more than 15 years of experience as a travel photographer. To secure your place or for more information, please contact us through email or call us on +447984608576.

¿WHY SEPTEMBER?

This expedition has been planned to coincide with the rice harvesting season in Northern Vietnam, known for its stunning rice terraces. In September, some of these terraces still green while in some other locations like Mu Cang Chai, they are turning gold, ready to harvest. Think about hill tribe people wearing colourful costumes harvesting rice in the most breathtaking landscape at sunset. Sounds good, right?

Weather in September is mild in Hanoi, with temperatures around 25-28 °C  while in the north you can expect lower temperatures (between 12-20°C) and some rain.

This is also a low season, meaning fewer tourists are visiting the country.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

¿What are the Vietnam Photography Expedition dates?

The expedition length is 12 days, from 21st September to 2nd October 2017 (with hotel and breakfast included until 3rd October)

¿Do I need a visa to attend this expedition?

Yes. A valid Vietnam visa is required for almost all foreign travellers. It costs around $50 USD in total and there are two available ways to get it:

• Applying for a visa at the nearest Vietnam Embassy
• Applying for a visa on arrival

The easier, recommended way to obtain the visa es applying for a visa on arrival. Please refer to our dedicated Vietnam Visa page for all the information. We can help you if you have any questions regarding your application, please let us know.

¿What is the cost of the expedition?

The Vietnam Photography Expedition price is U$2950 USD if you reserve your spot BEFORE 30th July 2017 (U$1000 USD deposit required to reserve your spot)

After 30th July 2017, the total price for the expedition will be $3250 USD.

Reserve your place now and save $300 USD.

¿What is included?

• 12 days Travel Photography Expedition with John Quintero and Tam Nguyen
•  Meals for 13 days, starting with dinner on 21st September and finishing with breakfast on 3rd October (13 days)
• Hotels accommodation based on double occupancy (single occupancy with extra fee)*
• The hotel of 3rd October**
• Cruise cabin accommodation in Halong Bay based on double occupancy
• Transportation during the expedition on private bus
• Transportation on cruise in Halong Bay
• Transportation on bamboo boat in Ninh Binh
• Cable car ride in Fansipan
• All tickets & entrance fees in nature reserves and temples
• English speaking guide and driver
• Bottled water
• Snacks when shooting at some locations

*Supplemental Fees:

Single Room Supplement: $400 USD Prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are subject to availability. If a single room is requested, you will be required to pay the supplement. No single room available during the homestay with the local tribes in the north.

** We cover 13 nights accommodation in total, including the night on 21st September (arrival), and the night of 3rd October. We recommend you arrive in Hanoi on 21st September by midday)

¿What costs will not be covered with the expedition price?

• Vietnam Visa Entry Fees (around $50 USD)
• Flights to and from Vietnam
• Snacks and drinks outside of normal meals
• Alcohol
• Tips for tour guides, drivers, bellhops etc
• Personal expenses
• Minibar, phone calls or other expenses at hotels
• International Medical and Travel Insurance Coverage
• All services and items not mentioned specifically in inclusions

¿What equipment do you recommend I bring along for the Photography Expedition?

• Any brand DSLR/Mirrorless or analog camera
• Lenses: All type of lenses. We recommend wide angle, a 70-200mm or similar and a 50mm lens
• Flash and/or LED light (optional)
• Tripod
• ND (Neutral Density) and polarizer filter (optional)
• Remote trigger (optional)
• Plenty of memory cards and/or films (if you are shooting with an analog camera)
• Spare batteries
• External hard disk
• Laptop (optional)
• A comfortable camera backpack

Regarding clothing and other gear suggestions, we will send you an expedition welcome package with plenty of time before departure that will give you further details and suggestions about what equipment to bring.

¿Do I need to be an experienced or professional photographer to take this expedition?

This experience is for photographers of any levels. However, we suggest you learn the basics of photography such as exposure and composition before travelling. We also recommend to download a PDF of your camera manual to your mobile phone and read it!

¿What forms of payment do you accept?

We currently accept payments via Paypal (Credit Card payments can be made with or without a Paypal account) & through bank transfer. For any other payment method, please email us.

¿What is your payment policy?

To reserve your spot in the Vietnam Photography Expedition you must make a payment of $1000 USD as soon as possible. No spot will be reserved without payment. The outstanding balance of $1950 USD must be fully paid before the 07th August 2017. If you have any questions or problems completing the check out please let us know.

If you reserve your spot after 30th July 2017, the price for the expedition will be $3250 USD and must be fully paid before 07th August 2017.

¿Is travel insurance included in the Vietnam Photography Expedition prices?

No. Participants are required to purchase international medical and travel insurance coverage (recommended)

¿Can I bring a friend or partner who is not a photographer, or can I bring children?

The expedition is designed to visit locations at the best times of the day for photography, however, and from experiences in previous workshops and expeditions, this expedition can be enjoyed equally by someone who is not a photographer. Visiting places at certain times when no tour usually take you, is a wonderful experience. We only ask your non-photographer companion to be patient when we are taking photos. For such reason, it is not an expedition recommended for children.

¿Do I need to be fit or in good physical condition to join this expedition?

Traveling for 13 days without much rest can be strenuous. However, we know that as photographers accustomed to carrying heavy equipment, it is necessary to travel at a different pace. Therefore, although in the itinerary you will find 3 or 4 hours trekking, we will not walk for 4 hours long without rest. These walks will be by photographers, stopping at every moment, with enough time to take photos. We will not climb mountains or difficult terrain.

¿Will there be an opportunity to take this photographic expedition to Vietnam on another date?

At the moment there are no dates for an upcoming expedition to Vietnam. Our next destination will be in a different country.

¿Don’t see the answer you’re after?

If you don’t see the answer here you are welcome to contact us with your specific questions.

ITINERARY

13 days starting on the afternoon of 21st September in Hanoi and finishing on 3rd October 2017 in Hanoi after 10pm.

During the whole trip we will have a private bus. Bottled water will be available on the bus and some snacks.

Day 1, Sept. 21st

You must arrive before or on September 21st in Hanoi.

For those arriving on the 21st of September and want to go out to take pictures in the afternoon, we can organize a short tour in Hanoi. Please let us know in advance your arrival time.

7:00 pm: We hope that the whole group has arrived in Hanoi. John and Tam will pick you up at the hotel to take you out for dinner and have a welcome meeting.

9:00 pm: First night at the hotel in Hanoi, located a few meters from the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi’s old quarter.

Day 2, Sept. 22nd

6:00 am: John and Tam will be at the hotel lobby to pick you up and take you around Hanoi’s historic centre for street photography with the golden light of the morning.

8:00 am: Back to the hotel for breakfast.

9:00 am: Photography tour around the city, including

• Temple of Literature or Temple of Confucius, built in 1070,
• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of the first president of Vietnam
• One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple regarded alongside the Perfume Temple, as one of Vietnam’s two most iconic temples.

12:30 pm: Lunch.

3:00 pm: Walking tour around Hanoi Old Quarter to visit the Dong Xuan Market,  the beautiful and peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake, and some historical buildings. Sunset around Long Bien Bridge.

7:30 pm: Dinner and rest.

Day 3, Sept. 23rd

6:00 am: Breakfast at the hotel.

7:00 am: Bus ride to Bac Ha, a small town in Lao Cai, a province in the northwest of Vietnam, on the border with China. This province is known for its mountains, rivers, waterfalls and ethnic hill tribes including the colourful Flower Hmong.

12:30 pm: Lunch and check in at the hotel.

3:00 pm: Visit a traditional village for unique photos of the Hmong tribal people. If we have time, we visit The Palace of King Hmong in Bắc Hà District.

7:00 pm: Dinner in Bac Ha and rest.

Day 4, Sept. 24th

6:00 am: Early start to photograph one of the most beautiful markets in all Asia: the  Bắc Hà Market. Get ready for wonderful portraits of Flower Hmong people.

8:00 am: Breakfast at the hotel and back to the market for more photos around town.

10:00 am: We get on our bus to go to Sa Pa ( 100km ride)

12:30 pm: Check in at the hotel in Sa Pa, lunch and rest.

3:00 pm: Bus ride to Y LinH Ho. From Y Linh Ho we trek for 3 hours around Lao Chải for photos of the rice terraces at sunset!

7:00 pm: Dinner and rest in Sa Pa.

Day 5, Sept. 25th

6:30 am: Breakfast at the hotel in Sa Pa.

7:30 am: We take a cable car for 27 mins to the top of Fansipan Mountain, the highest in Indochina, known as ‘The Roof of Indochina’ at 3143 metres above the sea level. Get ready for breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding Sa Pa.

12:30 pm: Lunch in Sa Pa and rest.

3:00 pm: Visit a Red Dzao Minority (Yao People) village and a then a Black Hmong minority village for unique photographs of these beautiful cultures.

7:00 pm: Dinner in Sa Pa and rest.

Day 6, Sept. 26th

6:30 am: Breakfast at the hotel in Sa Pa.

7:30 am: We depart from Sa Pa to Y tý (70km) stopping in several places to photograph the amazing landscape of rice paddies and villages.

12:00 pm: We check at the homestay and have lunch.

3:30 pm: Visit Ha Nhi Village, settled on the hills of Northern Vietnam for hundreds of year, surrounded by stunning terraced fields.

7:00 pm: Dinner at our homestay, rest.  We can shoot the star if we have a clear sky.

Day 7, Sept. 27th

5.30 am: Sunrise photos of the breathtaking scenery. Perfect for time-lapse of flying rolling clouds around the mountains.

8:00 am: Breakfast in the village.

9:00 am: 2 hours of portrait and landscape photography.

11:00 am: Departure to go to Mu Cang Chai (200km) stopping on the way for lunch.

5:00 pm: Check in at our hotel in Mu Cang Chai.

7:00 pm: Dinner and rest.

Day 8, Sept. 28th

6:00 am: Breakfast at the hotel in Mu Cang Chai.

7:00 am: 4 hours trekking from Chế Cu Nha to La Pán Tẩn. This will be one of the highlights of our expedition. Expect the most beautiful golden rice terraces of Vietnam and one of the reasons why we travel in September.

12:00 am: Lunch in Mu Cang Chai.

1:00 pm: Departure from Mu Cang Chải to Tú Lệ (100km) stopping in several places to take pictures.

4:00 pm: Check in at the hotel in Tu Lệ.

7:00 pm: Dinner and rest.

Day 9, Sept. 29th

6:30 am: Breakfast at the hotel in Tu Lệ.

7:00 am: Visit the villages of Lim Thai Lìm Mông to photograph farmers from the Thai and Mong minorities harvesting their crops.

10:00 am: Departure from Tu Lệ to Hanoi, stopping on the way for lunch.

3:00 pm: Check in at the hotel in Hanoi and free time to rest.

7:00 pm: Dinner and rest.

Day 10, Sept. 30th

6:30 am: Breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi.

7:30 am: A 160km bus ride from Hanoi to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in northeast Vietnam, known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.

12:00 pm: Boarding our Halong Bay cruise.

1:00 pm: Lunch on the cruise.

3:00 pm: Visit Sung Sot cave, an amazing natural wonder with lots of stalactites and stalagmites, but perhaps the most interesting part is the view of Halong Bay when you go out from the cave. A view to die for!

4.30 pm: Visit Titop Island until sunset.

7:00 pm: Dinner and rest on the cruise.

Day 11, Oct. 1st

5:30 am: Wake up to see the sunrise at one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World

7:00 am: Breakfast on the cruise, with a view to die for!.

8:00 am: Visit a water cave on a bamboo boat for a different perspective of the karst islands.

9:30 am: Check out from the cruise.

11:30 am: Lunch.

12:30 pm: Bus ride to Ninh Binh Town.

5:00 pm: We get on a bamboo boat to visit Van Long Swamp Nature Reserve, another beautiful natural wonder!

7:00 pm: Check in at hotel and dinner in Ninh Binh Town. Rest.

Day 12, Oct. 2nd

6:00 am: We take a bamboo boat to Trang An, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated near the southern margin of the Red River Delta. The Trang An Landscape Complex is an spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs.

8:00 am: Breakfast in Ninh Binh.

9:00am: Street photography around the beautiful villages in Ninh Binh.

12:00 pm: Lunch.

3:00 pm: Visi Mua Cave. The cave itself is not too special for photographers but the view from the top certainly is. From there you will have a panoramic view of Ninh Binh area and from the other side, an spectacular view of karst mountains, rice fields and the river. Be sure you have enough batteries and memories, this is simply breathtaking!

6:30 pm: We get on the bus back to Hanoi.

7:30 pm: Check in at hotel in Hanoi.

8:30 pm: Farewell dinner.

Day 13, Oct. 3rd

Breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi.

Check out at midday.

End of the expedition.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

For our Terms & Conditions, including cancellation and refund policy, please visit this page.

Any questions regarding our T&Cs, please contact us: vietnam@johnquintero.com