Travel photography is all about being in the right place at the right time- but having the help of top photographers at the world’s most beautiful places can play a part too. This trip through Vietnams most interesting and stimulating settings is the brainchild of local photographers, who lead a unique photo tour with their local knowledge and expertise at your fingertips. There is little doubt that Vietnam is one of the World’s most photogenic countries. No matter what camera one uses, you are bound to have a least a few gems on your film roll or memory card. Carefully designed to include the very best of this remarkable country, with its breath-taking natural beauty, enticing culture and truly wonderful people, our 10-day Vietnam photography tour will be based in five different locations essentially covering the north, central and southern areas with the longer journeys being covered by two internal flights. From mountainous landscapes to snapshots of daily life, the camera sure seems to be a perfect match for Vietnam.

ACTION IN HANOI

We begin our tour in the capital Hanoi. Here we will contrast the manic, action-packed streets of the city with the peaceful, tranquil beauty of the surrounding villages where we will have the opportunity to meet local people and admire the centuries old architecture. We will have time to explore with our cameras during which we will discover the labyrinthine Old Quarter and enjoy the south east Asian, French, and Chinese influences that combine to make a fascinating start to our tour. In these first few days we will also visit local ancient villages to experience the heritage of old Vietnam and its people. After a short internal flight, we will spend the middle couple of days around the elegant city Hue. Here we will get to explore the Forbidden City with their faded ancient buildings and surreal scenes. We will also experience the Cham tribe and their habitation around the sand dunes.

WHISTLE STOP HOI AN

Leaving imperial Hue, taking in years of rich history, it is time to take a train journey to Danang. One of the most-photographed landscapes in Vietnam is a picturesque perch from which to take in the East Sea and the Annamese Mountains. Next, we stay at the harbour town of Hoi An, awash with a great mix of culture and natural beauty. There is no better way to get to know a place than with some local expert help. With that in mind, we’ve organised a tip-top guide to enlighten you to the ways of the local farmers and fishermen – a personal experience that will stay with you forever with the beauty of catching it all on film. In great company, wind your way through bright green paddy fields, taking photos of incredible palmed waterways from a bamboo basket boat.

HO CHI MINH NIGHTS

Another short flight will deliver us to our favourite Ho Chi Minh City. There is plenty to photograph, the city’s historic landmarks, from the Opera House to the Notre Dame Cathedral ( a direct copy of the Parisian original), but before you dive into the heart and soul of the city, you must go to the food districts. From pork and rice pancakes to snail-based delicacies, Saigon quite literally has a lot on its plate. Discover what this thriving and exciting metropolis can offer in terms of street photography, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. The bustling streets will have you exploring endless subjects for your camera.