Vietnam Photo Tour North East loop

Today will be our first day tour to the North East loop of Vietnam photo tour. We will start the tour arround 8 am in the morning. It will take us 4 hours to travel to Lang Son valley. Once we arrive, check in our hospitable homedtay of Tay ethnic family. The local ethnic communities, mainly the Tay people, add a rich cultural layer to Bac Son’s beauty. Their traditional stilt houses, built from wood and palm leaves, blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Walking through the villages, you’ll encounter friendly locals who are often dressed in colorful traditional attire, perfect for candid photography and cultural immersion.

In the afternoon, we will take a small  hiking up to the mountain for the great view point. From the high moutain, we would satisfy the facinating scenery of Lang Son valley. From the top of the mountain, we would spend time to capture the most tunning images of the Sun is setting down to the West.

After the Sunset, we will hiking down hill and have a great dinner with the family and their neibours, make sure you able to drink dozen cups of local rice wine.

Today, we will wake up early morning about 4 am, we able to choose to hiking agian up to the mountain last day, or walking along the rice paddy to take photos of some fishermans on the river. Capture pictures of the farmers who havesting the crop  when we stay on the right time, normally in November.

After all, we depart to Phong Nam, a remoted area bodered to the China where has fascinating scenery of Nature.

Phong Nam in Cao Bang, Vietnam, is a serene valley that captivates with its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains, the valley is a patchwork of lush rice fields, winding rivers, and traditional stilt houses. The scenery here feels like a painting, especially during the harvest season when the fields turn a vibrant golden color. The local Tay people, who call this valley home, add to its charm with their warm hospitality and rich cultural traditions.
Walking through Phong Nam, you’ll encounter peaceful villages where life moves at a slow, gentle pace. The sound of rustling leaves and the sight of farmers tending to their crops create a soothing, almost meditative environment. The landscape is dotted with bamboo groves and fruit orchards, offering bursts of green and shades of orange and yellow throughout the year.
The valley’s rivers reflect the blue sky and surrounding mountains, adding a serene mirror-like effect to the scenery. Whether you’re hiking up the hills for a panoramic view or simply strolling along the riverside, Phong Nam’s beauty lies in its simplicity and untouched nature, making it a perfect escape for those seeking peace and inspiration.

Ban Gioc Waterfall is a stunning natural wonder on the Vietnam-China border. Its powerful cascades drop into clear, emerald-green pools surrounded by lush forests and towering limestone mountains. The mist from the falls creates a magical atmosphere, especially when sunlight hits the water, forming rainbows. Ban Gioc’s beauty is breathtaking, offering visitors a peaceful escape and a chance to connect with nature. Whether it’s the roar of the water, the cool spray, or the tranquil setting, Ban Gioc leaves a lasting impression. Ideal for photographers and adventurers alike, it’s a must-see destination in northern Vietnam.

The very  early morning in Phong Nam, we would spend time to take photo of the local people who crossing the bamboo bridge to go working on their farm. These will have many objects for us as the models of day life in Phong Nam. Scenery is so fascinating this early morning, when the Sun rising up from the mountains of Cao Bang.

After photographing Phong Nam, we will head straight to Ban Gioc Waterfall. On the way, we’ll stop at some scenic spots and explore unique villages to experience the local ethnic lifestyle.

We’ll arrive at Ban Gioc by 3 pm, perfect for capturing the waterfall at sunset and scouting the best spots for morning shots. After getting stunning photos, we’ll check in at a nearby hotel or homestay. Dinner will be a feast of local dishes, served with corn wine. Alternatively, we can enjoy a simple meal with a Tay ethnic family, learning about their fascinating history and traditions.

This morning, the Vietnam photography tour will take you back to Ban Gioc Waterfall for another opportunity to capture some stunning shots. We’ll focus on photographing daily life in the surrounding area. The best time to photograph the waterfall is around 8 a.m., when the sun begins to rise over the mountains. The waterfall will be at its fullest around 11 a.m., when the dam of the hydroelectric plant is opened.

After visiting Ban Gioc, we’ll head to the nearby pagoda, Nguom Ngao Cave, and a local stone village, depending on everyone’s interest, for more photo opportunities. In the afternoon, on our way back to Cao Bang, we’ll make a stop at God’s Eye Mountain, a breathtaking spot in the summer when the lake is full of water. You might even see fishermen on the lake, who would be happy to pose as models for our photography.

Once we return to Cao Bang, we’ll check into our hotel, relax, and explore the local life in the evening.

After capturing many beautiful photos in Cao Bang, we’ll continue our photography tour to Ha Giang. Along the way, we’ll make several stops at scenic spots to photograph daily life and stunning landscapes. The road from Cao Bang to Meo Vac passes through numerous ethnic villages, where we’ll visit local homes, learn about their cultures, and take photos of their daily life in vibrant traditional costumes.

We’ll also stop over at the 11-storey pass between Cao Bang and Ha Giang, where we’ll hike up to the best vantage point for a panoramic shot of this breathtaking pass.

Upon reaching Meo Vac, we’ll check in at a homestay, head out for dinner, and explore the town’s nightlife.

Meo Vac, a remote town in Vietnam’s Ha Giang Province, offers travelers a chance to explore the rugged beauty of the Dong Van Karst Plateau. Surrounded by towering limestone mountains and deep valleys, it’s a destination for adventure and cultural discovery. The town is a gateway to the scenic Ma Pi Leng Pass, one of Vietnam’s most breathtaking mountain roads.

A visit to Meo Vac wouldn’t be complete without experiencing its vibrant Sunday Market. Every week, ethnic minority groups such as the H’mong, Tay, and Dao gather here to trade goods, from livestock to handicrafts, and socialize. It’s a colorful, lively event where travelers can immerse themselves in local culture, taste traditional foods, and observe the region’s rich traditions. For those seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences, Meo Vac is a hidden gem in northern Vietnam that promises unforgettable landscapes and cultural encounters.

When we have opportunity to be in Meo Vac on Sunday, we would spend time in the market and have a lot of chance to take photos of the local people in the most beautyful dresses. If not, we will have an other chance in Dong Van market on Sunday.

Departuring to Dong Van, we would stop at many other stunning places such as view point of Ma Pi Leng high pass, Nho Que river with great canyon, and or take a boat trip to Nho Que river cruing over the Canyon.

Check in our hotel right in Dong Van town and discover the night activities of this small town after the dinner.

Lung Cu, located in Vietnam’s northernmost point, offers a captivating destination for photographers. The region is a cultural mosaic, home to various ethnic groups like the Hmong, Tay, and Lo Lo, each with unique traditions and colourful attire. Lung Cu’s terraced rice fields, winding mountain roads, and traditional stilt houses create stunning backdrops for capturing both landscapes and daily life.
The iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower, standing tall on Dragon Mountain, provides sweeping views of the countryside, ideal for panoramic shots. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light, casting a golden glow on the landscapes and village scenes.
Photographing the ethnic communities here is an enriching experience. From market gatherings to traditional festivals, each moment reveals a different facet of their vibrant culture. Lung Cu’s remote location and the warmth of its people make it a perfect spot for photographers seeking authenticity, adventure, and unique stories to tell through their lenses.
From Dong Van, we go to some viewpoints for great Sunrise photographs in early morning. After visiting the palace of H’Mong’ King, we head up to Lung Cu where considered the North end of Vietnam. Check in our homestay of a Lo Lo family in their village located right in the flag tower, we will visit some of our neibour family and have some great photos of them in the most colourfull traditional dresses.

In the evening, we will share the great meal and some interesting stories with the family and have a good night here. For some interests and demands, we able to set up a studio of local Lo Lo people working or waving lothes then we will have more stunning photographs.

There are plenty of small villages of ethnic people surround Lung Cu area, we would enter and visit some most interesting one. We able to attend some colorful local markets such as Ma Le and Sa Phin one if we miss Dong Van and Meo Vac Sunday markets. These are smaller markets which only organized once per week on the day of Monkey and Tiger as Chinese zodiacs. When photographers would customize the tour, we would encourage to organize the itinerary in order to have chance to attend one of these interesting markets. For best photographs.
We able to travel up to the North end of Vietnam only 2 km from our homestay as a cool check-in place. The scenery surround the North end is amazing also, there are a lot of very high mountains and deep valleys bordered with China. Definitely, we will have some more great photos around this area. In the late afternoon, we would be back the same homestay and satisfy one more great night with the most hospitable Lo Lo family in Lo Lo Chai village. Last time we organized a great night with a local dancing by the beautiful Lo Lo ladies around the big fire. Enjoy our music and local corn wine until we got drunk. It’s such a great experience we got when we stay in Lo Lo Chai on a Vietnam Photography tour.

Today is another fantastic day on our Vietnam photography tour of the northern loop. We’re heading to Quan Ba and will be staying with a warm and welcoming Dao family at their homestay in Nam Dam Village.

Nestled in Ha Giang’s stunning mountainous landscape, Nam Dam Village is a hidden gem, rich in culture and tranquility. Home to the Dao ethnic group, it offers a truly authentic experience of rural Vietnam. Visitors can explore traditional stilt houses, terraced rice fields, and vibrant local customs. The serene environment, surrounded by lush greenery and misty hills, is perfect for both relaxation and photography. Nam Dam is also an excellent base for trekking, with nearby trails offering breathtaking viewpoints. The village’s warm hospitality and peaceful beauty make it a must-visit for anyone seeking a genuine cultural experience in Ha Giang.

In the early morning, we’ll be in Lung Cu to capture the first light of the day. The H’mong people begin working on the rocky highlands early, giving us the chance to interact with them and take stunning photos as they go about their daily tasks.

Before reaching our homestay, we’ll stop at Lung Tam Village, where local ethnic groups weave and craft beautiful, patterned textiles by hand. We can even film a short video documenting their intricate work and how they create their stunning garments.

Finally, we’ll arrive at our homestay in Nam Dam Village, refresh ourselves, and enjoy a wonderful evening with the family and their neighbors.

Today, we’ll head towards Ha Giang, traveling along winding roads that cut through stunning mountain landscapes—perfect for photography. Our first stop is Quan Ba Heaven Gate, where we’ll capture the breathtaking scenery of Quan Ba. After getting some great shots, we’ll visit a nearby rose garden, where we’ll meet workers tending to and picking roses that are transported to Hanoi for the Quang Ba flower market.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Ha Giang and stay in a Tay ethnic village surrounded by beautiful rice fields. During the rice harvest season, the village is enveloped in golden terraces, attracting photographers from around the world. We’ll have the opportunity to photograph locals in their vibrant traditional costumes and join them in picking tea leaves while capturing these unique scenes on camera.

Afterward, we’ll check into a homestay and spend the evening sharing our day’s photos. We’ll also engage with the locals, learning about their cultural and historical traditions. For dinner, the family will serve us rustic, home-cooked dishes. One of the village’s specialties is a grasshopper dish, often referred to as “flying shrimp,” considered a delicacy in the area.

Early this morning, we’ll head to our sunrise photography spot, where terraced fields shrouded in morning mist and the soft light on the horizon create a magical scene. After capturing the sunrise, we’ll stroll through the village, seeking out the best spots to photograph daily life and chat with locals to learn more about their way of life.

Around 10 a.m., we’ll depart for Thac Ba Lake, a serene gem in northern Vietnam. The lake offers stunning photography opportunities, especially with the White Dao ethnic group living nearby. Known for their vibrant clothing and rich traditions, the White Dao people make captivating portrait subjects. Their stilt houses, set against the calm, reflective waters of the lake, create perfect compositions for landscape shots.

At Thac Ba, we can capture scenes of daily life, from traditional fishing to lively community gatherings. The lake, with its 1,300 islands, provides endless scenic views, particularly at sunrise and sunset, when golden light enhances its beauty. The peaceful atmosphere and the colorful White Dao culture make Thac Ba a unique and rewarding destination for photography, highlighting both the natural beauty and the deep connection between the people and their environment.

We plan to arrive at our homestay near Thac Ba Lake around 3 p.m., after which we’ll take a boat trip to capture sunset shots on the lake. As the late afternoon quiets down, fishermen will cast their nets, preparing for the morning catch. Occasionally, we might spot herds of buffalo swimming between islands. If we have a drone, we’ll capture incredible footage from above.

Later, we’ll return to the homestay for an evening of local food and rice wine. The family is incredibly hospitable, and they’ll happily share drinks with us until we’re all in high spirits!

Early this morning, we will take a boat trip around the small islands of the lake to look for the working activities of the local people. In the early mornings, fishermen will go to collect shrimp traps and fish. These images will be freely composed by freelance photographers and the boat will support the transfer to the most beautiful locations.
After finishing the early photo session, we will return to the homestay to have breakfast and prepare to leave for Hanoi. Before leaving, we will visit some other local people’s houses, one of which is the house of a shaman, this house is quite ancient and has been passed down from generation to generation. Currently, the shaman is the one who continues the work of his ancestors to help the villagers perform ceremonies. From wedding ceremonies, new rice ceremonies or coming-of-age ceremonies or funerals… he is present.
Before major ceremonies, the shaman and other wise people will prepare documents to offer to the ancestors, praying for peace for the villagers.
After that, we will be on our way back to Hanoi, ending a successful and wonderful journey. See you on the next tours with our photographers.