Hunt’s Photo Adventure: Northern Vietnam: Markets, Villages, Majestic Rice Terraces & Halong Bay Cruise

Workshop Description

Join us on a 15-day immersive photography adventure through Northern Vietnam, led by professional photographer Jeff Swinger and expert local guide Duc Hoa. This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels who want to capture the rich culture, historic villages, and dramatic landscapes of Northern Vietnam.From the streets and bustling markets of Hanoi, where you’ll photograph daily life, street vendors, motorbike traffic, and the iconic Long Biên Bridge, to the serene rural villages of Nam Dinh, the lush tea plantations of Long Coc, and the stunning rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, you’ll explore and photograph a region steeped in history and natural beauty. Along the way, you’ll refine your skills in street photography, landscape, action, and low-light shooting, with personalized guidance from Jeff and local knowledge from our English-speaking Vietnamese expert.

Halong Bay – 2 Nights, 3 Days (Private Boat)
The adventure extends with a two-night, three-day private boat cruise through Halong Bay’s emerald waters and towering limestone karsts. Capture misty mornings and tranquil sunsets over the bay, photograph traditional wooden boats and local fishermen, and enjoy the serene beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depending on the itinerary, there may be opportunities to explore grottoes or nearby villages, or you can relax and photograph from the comfort of the boat. This offers dramatic seascapes and cultural immersion, and is a perfect way to end an action-packed Northern Vietnam photography workshop.

Itinerary
Main Tour– September 9- 20, 2026

Halong Bay Cruise- September 21- 23, 2026

Day 1 – Wednesday, September 9 | Hanoi Arrival

• Arrival at Hanoi hotel
• Group meeting to review the workshop schedule and meet fellow participants
• Welcome dinner
• Overnight: Hanoi hotel

Day 2 – Thursday, September 10 | Hanoi City 

• Morning: Hanoi city highlights
• Afternoon: Street photography at markets and Long Biên Bridge traffic
• Dinner and overnight in Hanoi

Day 3 – Friday, September 11 | Hanoi Craft Villages (50 km / 1 hr between villages)

• Morning: Incense-making village
• Afternoon: Fermented soybean sauce village
• Dinner and overnight in Hanoi

Day 4 – Saturday, September 12 | Hanoi → Nam Dinh (130 km / 3.5 hrs)

• Morning: Mat weaving and printing village
• Afternoon: Coastal salt pan workers
• Check in at hotel in Nam Dinh
• Dinner and overnight in Nam Dinh

Day 5 – Sunday, September 13 | Nam Dinh & Surroundings 

• Sunrise photography at the beach
• Boats returning from night catch, seafood market
• Wooden boat repair factory
• Sunset photography of salt pan workers (backup if previous day’s weather was poor)
• Dinner and overnight in Nam Dinh

Day 6 – Monday, September 14 | Nam Dinh → Hanoi (130 km / 3.5 hrs)

• Morning: Visit the Land of Churches in Vietnam
• Afternoon: Drive back to Hanoi (2 hrs), free time
• Overnight: Hanoi

Day 7 – Tuesday, September 15 | Hanoi → Long Coc (110 km / 2.5 hrs)

• Morning: Drive to Long Coc
• Afternoon: Check-in at hotel near tea plantations, photography at scenic points and tea pickers at sunset
• Dinner and overnight

Day 8 – Wednesday, September 16 | Long Coc → Mu Cang Chai (180 km / 4 hrs)

• Morning: Sunrise shoot at tea plantation
• Drive to Mu Cang Chai rice terraces
• Afternoon: Check-in and explore nearby villages or terraces
• Dinner and overnight

Day 9 – Thursday, September 17 | Full Day Mu Cang Chai  (80 km driving around)

• Morning: Village photography
• Afternoon: Visit prime shooting points using bus and local moto-taxis
• Dinner and overnight

Day 10 – Friday, September 18 | Full Day Mu Cang Chai (40 km driving around)

• Morning: Ngoc Chien village
• Afternoon: Relaxation and photo review
• Dinner and overnight

Day 11 – Saturday, September 19 | Mu Cang Chai → Hanoi (300 km / 6 hrs)

• Morning & afternoon: Photography stops along the way at viewing points and villages
• Check-in at Hanoi hotel
• Overnight: Hanoi

Day 12 – Sunday, September 20 | Departure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Check-out before 12:00 pm

Day 13–15 – Monday–Wednesday, September 21–23 | Halong Bay Cruise

• 2–3 day extension available after the main workshop
• Includes scenic boat trips, photography opportunities, and optional activities

What’s included:

• Local Transportation and airport transfers
• Hotels for each night of the workshop
• Meals during the workshop
• Entrance fees

What’s not included:

• International Flights
• Single room supplement
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal expenses
• Tips for local guide
• Phone calls or data plans

Skill Sets: All Levels of Photographers are Welcome

During this workshop, you will receive hands-on instruction and practice in a variety of photography techniques, including:

• Tracking Focus – capturing moving subjects like horses and birds with precision
• Exposure – managing light in diverse environments, from bright marshes to dim village streets
• Composition – creating visually compelling and balanced images
• Metering – using your camera’s metering systems to handle tricky lighting conditions
• Use of Lenses – selecting and maximizing wide-angle, telephoto, and specialty lenses
• Subject Development – learning to observe, anticipate, and capture your subjects’ best moments
• Creative Thinking – experimenting with angles, perspective, and storytelling techniques
• Shooting in Low Light – mastering dawn, dusk, and indoor lighting scenarios

These skills are designed to help photographers of all levels enhance technical ability, develop creative vision, and capture stunning imagery throughout the workshop.

Physical Activity: Low. Minimal hiking, but photographing for long periods of time outside in the cold. We will encounter muddy conditions in the rice fields and wet conditions in the fish markets and salt farms. Please see note below about weather.

A Note About Weather (and weather gear)

Temperatures:

• Hanoi & Nam Dinh: 24–32°C (75–90°F), warm and humid
• Long Coc: 22–28°C (72–82°F), slightly cooler
• Mu Cang Chai: 18–26°C (64–79°F), cooler mornings ideal for sunrise photography

Rain & Storms:

• Occasional afternoon or evening showers are common, with brief tropical storms possible
• Mornings are typically clear and perfect for photography
• Bring light rain gear and protective covers for camera equipment

Benefits of September:

• Lush green rice terraces and vibrant landscapes
• Misty mornings create dramatic photo opportunities
• Fewer tourists than peak season, so markets and villages are more authentic

What to Bring

To make the most of your workshop and stay comfortable, consider bringing:

Clothing:

• Layered clothing for fluctuating temperatures (Short and long sleeves, light jacket).
• A windproof and waterproof jacketfor cooler mornings and potential rain.
• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for village streets, rice terraces, and uneven terrain.
• It will be warm, so sandals or flipflops can be helpful
• Hat and sunglasses for sun protection.

Photography Gear:

• Camera(s) with multiple lenses (wide-angle for landscapes, telephoto for wildlife).
• Tripod for low-light and sunset/sunrise shots. (Optional)
• Extra batteries and memory cards.
• Lens cleaning kit (dust and marsh conditions).
• A camera bag comfortable for day excursions.
• Roller camera bags or backpacks for travel are fine for this trip.

Laptops & Image Management

• While laptops are optional, many participants find them helpful for:
• Reviewing images daily to check composition, exposure, and focus.
• Participating in critiques with the instructor and peers.
• Backing up and organizing files during the workshop to ensure nothing is lost.

Tips

• Bring a lightweight laptop if possible, to avoid heavy loads while traveling.
• Include your charging cables and any necessary adapters
• Consider using portable external drives or cloud storage for additional backup.
• If you choose not to bring a laptop, a memory card organizer and backup cards will suffice for image storage.

Other Essentials:

• Reusable water bottle.
• Notebook or journal for notes and inspiration.
• Small backpack or daypack for daily outings.

Luggage:

• Soft-sided luggage with wheels is strongly recommended. These are easier to fit in the vans and allow flexibility for tight spaces.
• Duffel bags are good as well.
• Consider stair access at hotels or historic accommodations — if you anticipate needing to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs, pack only what you can comfortably manage. (We will be there to help, but please consider)

Payments
A non-refundable reservation fee of $1750 (25%) is required upon sign-up to secure a spot. The total cost of the trip is $6995 per person for single occupancy.  Please note that the reservation fee and payments on this workshop are non-refundable. Please make sure to purchase insurance in case you need to cancel your trip. (You can purchase trip insurance from numerous insurance companies– Allianz, AAA, and more.)
The remaining balance is due 120-days (4 months) prior to the workshop and can be made on this page.

Sharing a Room?

If you are signing up for two tickets and sharing a room, you can receive $500 off the cost of each ticket. Your discount will be applied on the final payment.