Spotlight On Vietnam

	Name of the trip: Spotlight on Vietnam
	Trip Code: VNLT-HPT-11 (Reference Code + Starting Date)
	Length of the trip: 15 days and 14 nights
	Trip type: Private & Daily departure
	Trip Starts from: Hanoi City
	Trip Ends in: Hanoi City
	Extension: The trip can be extended if tourists want to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap in Cambodia before or after the trip.
	Required booking time: At least 20 days in advance for individuals and 45 days in advance for group
	Call to book this trip: +84. (24/7)
	Email to book: Book the trip
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TRIP OVERVIEW

Vietnam is a country full of photographic opportunities. The landscape is diverse and includes a very long and beautiful coastline, magnificent rock formations, and mountains. Having not developed like China and Thailand it still has plenty of opportunity to observe and photograph traditional lifestyles. Vietnam is raw and still relatively unspoilt, with a photograph and story to be told at every bend of the road that you travel. Because of this, now is a great time to visit Vietnam.

Having travelled to Vietnam on two occasions, most recently to photograph this amazing country, I have specifically designed this tour with photographers in mind. Come and discover the hidden charm of Vietnam and the endless photographic opportunities. Just like me, I am sure you will find it to be an experience never to be forgotten and one which leaves you hungry for more.

Highlights

• The bustling capital Ha Noi

• Meet numerous colourful ethnic minority groups

• Ethnic minority markets and scenic northern highland hill tribe villages

• Experience the life of minority people through home stays

• Magnificent terraced mountains of rice

• Cascading waterfalls and fertile rivers

• Jagged isles, hidden lagoons, and sea caves of Ha Long Bay

• Breathtaking scenery and huge rock formations of Ninh Binh

• River life of Khen Ga

DETAILS OF THE TRIP

Day 1:  HA NOI (D)

Pick up upon arrival at Hanoi City and we will transfer you to our hotel for the night. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: HA NOI - MAI CHAU (B/L/D)

We will arise early to visit Hoan Kiem Lake to photograph early risers meditating, doing tai chi, exercising and playing badminton. After breakfast, we will go on a ½ day city tour, visiting the Temple of Literature , One Pillar Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. In the afternoon, we travel to Mai Chau where we will encounter our first experience with ethnic minority people. Late afternoon will be spent exploring and photographing the village and surrounding rice paddies. We stay overnight in a White Thai village having dinner and sleeping in traditional stilt house. In the evening we will be entertained with dances and songs as well as drink an alcoholic beverage called Ruou Can with long straws.

Day 3: MAI CHAU - NGHIA LO (B/L/D)

In the morning you are free to explore the town to buy local produce or embroideries or explore the surrounding countryside to photograph the locals going about their farm duties. After breakfast we commence our journey to Nghai Lo where we will begin to witness the spectacular mountain scenery of North-West Vietnam . This is where the density of ethnic minority people walking along the road or attending their fields begins to increase. On arrival in Nghia Lo, we check into our hotel before visiting a historical site marking the resistance of the Yen Bai people against French aggression and an ancient Thai village to discover how they go about their daily lives.

Day 4: NGHIA LO - SA PA (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph the town of Nghia Lo as it awakes. After breakfast we commence our journey to Sa Pa. On the way we will stop to visit a Lu minority village as well as climb Tram Ton pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam . On arrival in Sa Pa we will check into the hotel. The afternoon is free to visit Sa Pa township, Ham Rong Mountain or the Botanical gardens. That evening we will travel back to Tram Ton pass to photograph the sunset over Heavens Gate.

Day 5: SA PA (B/L/D)

Today we will trek down the mountain to Ta Van village. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent terraced rice fields and local minority people going about their day-to-day activities. After an enjoyable picnic lunch, we will continue our trek, walking through a number of minority villages and getting up close to the terraced rice fields. We will photograph the sunset over the terraced rice fields at our leisure. Tonight our accommodation will be a home stay in Ta Van village.

Day 6: SA PA - LUNG KHAU NHIN MARKET - BAC HA (B/L/D)

This morning we will arise early to photograph the sunrise over the terraced rice fields and minority people commencing their daily activities. After breakfast, we commence our 3 hour journey to Lung Khau Nhin Market which is one of the most untouched markets in North Vietnam . Here we will observe and photograph Nung, Flower H'Mong, Black Dao and Dzay minority people buying and selling their local produce. After spending the morning casually strolling around and photographing the markets, we will visit a Black Dao village called Sin Lung Chai. We then make our way to Bac Ha, where we will check into our hotel.

Day 7: BAC HA - HA GIANG (B/L/D)

We will arise early to visit and photograph Ban Pho, a Flower H'Mong village. We then commence our long journey to Ha Giang, through stunning countryside with valleys and mountains opening up on all sides and then along the remote Chay River Valley . During the trip, we may see Flower H'Mong, Nung, Co Lao, Red Dao, Dao Ao Dai, La Chi Pa Then and White H'Mong minority people going about their daily lives. Stops will be provided along the way for photography. Overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 8: HA GIANG - QUAN BA - DONG VAN (B/L/D)

Today we will experience a spectacular day of driving through amazing mountainous landscapes nestled up against the border with China . About 50km's out of Ha Giang, the road zigzags its way up the amazing Quan Ba Pass eventually providing a spectacular view over Quan Ba town and the surrounding countryside. Opportunities to take photographs will be provided along the way. We end out days journey at Dong Van, an isolated town atop a small hill. Dong Van is very beautiful with mountains, forests, hidden grottoes and multi-coloured orchid forests. In the evening, we will explore Pho Bang Street with its ancient multi-story clay brick houses.

Day 9: DONG VAN - MEO VAC - BAO LAC - CAO BANG (B/L/D)

We arise early to visit and photograph Dong Van market. After breakfast we commence our journey down Ma Pi Leng pass, providing us with what is regarded as the most stunning scenery in North Vietnam . We eventually descend into a beautiful valley that encloses Meo Vac before continuing our journey to Cao Bang, via Bao Lac. Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 10: CAO BANG - TONG COT CATTLE MARKET - BAN GIOC WATERFALL - CAO BANG (B/L/D)

This morning we will be treated to a unique event that is rarely visited by tourists. We will visit the Tong Cot cattle market where 200 to 300 head of cattle are sold every 5 days. Afterwards, we will make our way to the beautiful Ban Gioc Waterfall on the Chinese border. The picturesque, cascading waterfall is 53m high and has an impressive span of 300m. The drive there and back also offers unique landscapes with limestone karst formations soaring from the rice paddies of the surrounding farms of local ethnic minorities. We will stop on our return trip to photograph waterwheels, which are only found in this part of Vietnam . Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 11: CAO BANG - LANG SON - HA LONG CITY (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph to photograph Cao Bang as it awakes. After breakfast we will commence our long journey to Ha Long City stopping for lunch and a well earned break at Lang Son. After eating at a local restaurant we will travel to the surrounding limestone hills to visit a couple of impressive caves and the remnants of the ruined 16 th -century Mac Dynasty Citadel. We will then continue our journey to Ha Long City where we will check into our hotel before re-joining for dinner.

Day 12: HA LONG BAY - CAT BA ISLAND (B/L/D)

We will arise early to visit and photograph the local fish market. After breakfast, we will board the boat and commence our full day cruise of Ha Long Bay. We will visit Surprising Cave and photograph the bay, floating villages and fish farms. In the afternoon, we will climb up to the peak of Ti Top Island for a panoramic view of Ha Long bay. We will then make our way to Cat Ba where we will check into our hotel. You are then free to explore Cat Ba Island and photograph the sunset over the harbour. For those more adventurous types, you can arrange a boat to take you around the harbour at your own expense.

Day 13: CAT BA - NINH BINH - KENH GA (B/L/D)

We will arise early to photograph the sunrise. After breakfast, we board a Hydrofoil for transfer to Hai Phong City , where our buses will be waiting for us. After lunch in Hai Phong City , we commence our journey to Ninh Binh, stopping briefly at Thai Binh. We will then make our way to Kenh Ga Floating Village where we will witness and photograph the unique river life.

Day 14: TAM COC - HOA LU - VAN LONG - HA NOI (B/L/D)

This morning we will enjoy a 2 hour boat cruise through Tam Coc which boasts some absolutely breathtaking scenery. Afterwards, we will travel along rural roads amongst the rice fields and magnificent rock formations of the Hoa Lu area. After lunch we will visit Van Long Nature Reserve (2 hours) before commence our journey back to Hanoi . We will stop at a market garden during the return trip to photographs rural life up close. On arrival in Ha Noi, we will check into our hotel before enjoying dinner at a charming restaurant at Hoan Kiem Lake.

Day 15: HA NOI DEPARTURE (B/D)

We will arise early to visit Dong Xuan markets, the largest markets in Ha Noi. After breakfast we will go on a walking tour for 1 or 2 hrs in the old quarter, photographing the shops, street life and people going about their day-to-day activities. You will then have free time to visit Ha Noi or catch up on your shopping. In the afternoon, we will transfer to the airport for our flight onward. End of service.

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