I just wrapped up the second edition of the North and Central Vietnam photography tour and workshop, which I co-lead with Régis from Asia Travel Photography. Once again, it turned out to be an incredible journey — amazing participants, endless laughter, and the perfect mix of learning and adventure. The timing couldn’t have been better to capture the rice harvests in their full glory, and we were blessed with incredible weather throughout. This combination of great people, unique locations, and perfect light truly made it one of the most rewarding photography tours in Vietnam I’ve ever led.

Day 1 – Street Photography in Hanoi: The Perfect Warm-Up for Our Vietnam Photo Workshop

Welcome everyone! Our adventure began in Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling capital. The city was alive — thousands of people celebrating National Day, the streets flooded with red flags and yellow stars. A true dream for any street photographer in Asia.

We hit the streets for our warm-up session, working on framing and timing amidst the chaos. It was challenging to photograph in such dense crowds, but so much fun. I only wish we had better light that afternoon — still, the energy more than made up for it. I even made a mental note: I must organize a Vietnam street photography tour for the 100th Independence anniversary in 2045!

We ended the day with a wonderful welcome dinner — as always, too much food — and plenty of laughter. Most participants were returning guests from my previous photo tours with Régis, so we almost all knew each other. A mix of beginners and advanced (but rusty!) photographers meant we were set for some great learning moments ahead.

Day 2 – From Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai: Beginning Our Vietnam Photography Adventure

Due to the National Day ceremony in Hanoi and the many roadblocks across the city, we left very early to escape the traffic. Our first quick stop was a lively local market — a perfect warm-up for portraits. You could already see everyone shifting into “portrait mode.”

By midday, we arrived in the valley near Mu Cang Chai, our base for the next few days. We enjoyed an amazing lunch in Lim Mông village, hosted by a Tay family, before walking through the village where locals were producing Cốm — young green rice. As we left the village, we encountered a group of Hmong farmers harvesting rice in the fields, offering incredible scenes for people photography in Vietnam.

Later, we reached a viewpoint where villagers were using a large rice-threshing machine — a tough scene to shoot, but when the sun reappeared, we managed to capture stunning silhouettes of people walking out of the fields bathed in golden light.

We then drove another hour to our ecolodge in Mu Cang Chai, where we celebrated Jens’ birthday around a great dinner, a cake, and more than a few bottles of wine!

Day 3 – Capturing the Rice Harvest in Mu Cang Chai

The morning brought perfect light for photographing the rice harvest. The valley was alive with activity — women drying rice on the football field, children running around, and families working together. The colors were extraordinary, and we spent time working each scene carefully, sometimes even helping carry huge bags of rice for fun and connection.

In the afternoon, we rode motorbikes through La Pan Tan, visiting remote Hmong villages and breathtaking viewpoints. One of the highlights was meeting a group of farmers returning from picking corn. They welcomed us warmly — laughter and photos flowed naturally. This is what travel and people photography in Asia is all about: connection, fun, and authenticity.

We ended the day at the famous horseshoe terrace, where we witnessed one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve ever seen there. As we enjoyed beers and waited for the perfect light, I noticed a woman emerging from a wooden house below. I framed the flare of the setting sun just as she stepped outside — one of my favorite shots of the tour.

We wrapped up with another wonderful dinner, filled with fruity rice wine and laughter.

Day 4 – From Mu Cang Chai to Tân Uyên: People Photography and Tea Harvests

We started the morning capturing fog and soft sunrise light over people drying rice on the road. Near one house, we met a buffalo herder, giving us great portrait photography opportunities. I used the moment to explain to the group how to use soft morning light as rim light on our subjects — a perfect lesson in natural light portraiture.

After breakfast and checkout, we drove toward Tân Uyên, stopping often for landscapes. At one point, we saw a house completely filled with drying corn. I chatted with the homeowner, hoping she might start working for a candid shot. When I realized she was only posing, I decided to turn it into a fun group portrait session instead!

We reached Tân Uyên at lunchtime and were welcomed into a huge, empty wedding hall — just for us. After a short rest, we explored the valley, photographing Tay people harvesting tea leaves, both with machines and by hand. Later, we found beautiful reflections in the rice paddies before heading to a stunning sunset viewpoint, where buffaloes grazed in golden light.

Dinner that night featured one of the best duck dishes I’ve ever had.

Day 5 – Photographing the Tea Fields and Journey to Tả Giàng Phìn

At sunrise, we returned to the tea fields. The light was soft and magical. We met a couple spraying tea plants, then a man and woman cutting grass near the rice fields. The fog in the background created a dreamy atmosphere — perfect conditions for travel photography in Vietnam.

After breakfast and an amazing coconut coffee, we began our drive toward Tả Giàng Phìn, stopping in Sapa for lunch and some jerky shopping (buffalo and pork, perfect with beer).

As we reached the village, excitement kicked in. From the road, we could already see people harvesting rice, kids playing on rocks, and even children riding buffaloes — something we’d tried to capture for years! That afternoon turned into one of the most memorable photo sessions of the trip: harvest scenes, machines at work, laughter, and magic light everywhere.

Back at the hotel, we celebrated with showers, dinner, and about four jugs of rice wine.

Day 6 – Life and Light in Tả Giàng Phìn

After a late breakfast and some photo review, we spent the day exploring village life in Tả Giàng Phìn. The rice harvest continued in full swing — some families working with machines, others by hand. Buffaloes, smoke, kids crafting musical instruments, and the soft evening light over the river made it a perfect day of people photography in Vietnam.

Dinner was quiet this time — no rice wine!

Day 7 – Muong Hum Market and Returning to the Fields

We left early to visit Muong Hum Sunday Market, one of my favorite markets in North Vietnam. It’s busy yet compact, making it easy to navigate and find the best light. We photographed the Red Dzao women, local traders, and even some hilarious moments of ladies hitting tobacco bongs — one of those unique details that make local markets so special.

After a relaxed breakfast at our local hotel, we sent our guide out on a motorbike to scout the surrounding rice fields. Most had already been harvested, so there was only one logical decision — head back to Tả Giàng Phìn! We had built such good connections there that returning felt like visiting friends.

That afternoon was one of pure joy — familiar faces, incredible light, and some of the strongest images of the tour.

Day 8 – Red Dzao Villages and Farewell to the North

After breakfast, we visited a Red Dzao village we had discovered the previous year. The women welcomed us warmly and led us through the village, giving us fantastic portrait opportunities. Eventually, we were invited into one of their traditional homes, where shooting and shopping merged into one!

After this final mountain photography session, we drove back to Hanoi. That evening, we rewarded ourselves with juicy burgers — a welcome break after a week of mountain food!

Day 9 – The Incense Village: Exploring Hidden Corners of Hanoi’s Iconic Craft Villages

We rose early to visit the famous incense village near Hanoi, a place that has become somewhat over-photographed in recent years. Yet, if you wander beyond the main staging areas, there are still many authentic scenes to capture.

We started with a delicious crab noodle soup, watching old men sip rice wine at 6:30 a.m. before photographing the incense dyeing process in the narrow back alleys — bright colors, strong compositions, and intimate human interactions.

After wrapping up, we returned to our Hanoi hotel for lunch and packing before catching our flight to Hoi An, marking the beginning of our Central Vietnam photography tour.

Day 10 – Central Vietnam Sunrise: Fishing Nets and Farmers of Hoi An

The Central Vietnam portion of our tour started early, as always. We began by photographing the iconic fishing nets on the river. The sunrise was spectacular — fishermen casting nets, soft reflections, and warm light. This area is about more than the fishing nets, though; there are countless opportunities for people photography in Hoi An if you know where to look.

After breakfast, we headed to one of my favorite local markets near Hoi An, focusing on colors, portrait compositions, and light. Later, after a short rest, we headed out for a sunset shoot with farmers harvesting rice around Hoi An.

We wrapped up the day photographing herders moving cows through the fields at dusk. The light didn’t last long — but it was beautiful while it did.

Day 11 – The World’s Best Fishing Village

For our final official shooting day, Régis and I took the group to what I like to call the world’s best fishing village. Everyone fell in love with it instantly — the colors, energy, and genuine smiles were irresistible.

At one point, as three of us squatted to shoot, a woman lifted a fish at just the right moment — a perfect decisive instant. Later, we photographed women drying anchovies on bright green nets, a scene I’ve captured many times but never with such glorious light.

Back in Hoi An, we enjoyed a fantastic bánh mì lunch before gathering for our final photo review in a cozy coffee shop, complete with beanbags and air-conditioning. It was the perfect way to end one of the best Vietnam photography workshops I’ve ever led.

Day 12 – Farewell Photo Walk in Hoi An Old Town

Despite twelve days of shooting, everyone met at 6 a.m. for one final photo walk in Hoi An. We strolled through the ancient streets, capturing soft light, street vendors, and morning life. It was a relaxed session — a perfect time to chat, reflect, and say our goodbyes.

After lunch, we organized airport transfers, making sure everyone was taken care of.

End of tour.

This journey through North and Central Vietnam once again reminded me why I love running these tours — the laughter, the cultural connection, the unpredictable beauty of everyday life, and the endless learning opportunities for everyone involved.

If you’d like to experience this for yourself, check out the next Vietnam Photography Tour — an unforgettable adventure for photographers who love people, culture, and storytelling. You can also read Regis’ own blog post with a lot of fun BTS!