Journey Through Southern Vietnam: An 11-Day Immersive Photography Expedition

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our friendly local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in and rest.

Option 1: Hát Bội Show – Behind the Curtain of Vietnam’s Classical Opera

In the afternoon, step into the mesmerizing world of Hát Bội, a traditional Southern Vietnamese opera that embodies the essence of Vietnam’s classical performing arts. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis where history and culture converge. Among its hidden treasures is Hát Bội—a centuries-old theatrical art form celebrated for its dramatic storytelling, elaborate costumes, and symbolic face makeup.

Our unique photography experience invites you behind the scenes to witness the transformation of performers as they prepare for the stage. You’ll have the opportunity to meet Hát Bội performers and observe their preparation rituals, photograph expressive backstage moments, from makeup application to costume fittings, and learn about the symbolism behind their striking facial designs and gestures.

This intimate experience offers a rich visual and cultural tapestry, perfect for capturing Vietnam’s artistic soul through your lens.

🎭 Note: Performances take place at the Vietnam Tuong Theater. If your visit coincides with a scheduled show, you can attend for USD 20 per person. If not, a private session can be arranged at USD 450, though our program emphasizes cultural interaction and photography without the need for a staged performance.

Option 2: Explore Chinatown – Street Life, Local Markets & Sacred Temples

Alternatively, you’ll delve into the vibrant tapestry of Chợ Lớn (Chinatown), where traditions and everyday life unfold in vivid color. This option offers rich opportunities for street photography and cultural immersion.

During your exploration, you will wander through bustling local markets, full of activity and vibrant goods; visit centuries-old Chinese temples, such as Thien Hau Pagoda, rich in incense smoke and ancestral rituals, and capture dynamic street scenes, featuring street vendors, herbal shops, fortune tellers, and traditional medicine stores, and so much more.

This experience immerses you in the living heritage of one of Vietnam’s oldest Chinese communities, showcasing a dynamic blend of culture, religion, and commerce.

Evening at Leisure
After your cultural immersion, return to your hotel to relax. Optionally, enjoy a gentle walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street or sip a cocktail at a rooftop bar, soaking in panoramic views of the city at night.

🛌 Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After an early breakfast, begin your journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta, starting with a visit to the vast grey sedge fields in Duc Hoa, Long An province—a lesser-known but breathtaking destination for nature and landscape photography.

In the swamp of Long An lies a hidden gem: the picturesque grey sedge fields, a year-round crop that has become a unique hallmark of the region. During the harvest season, the fields stretch out like a living watercolor painting, blending hues of green and gold under the morning light. The weather allows, you’ll photograph the sweeping landscapes of sedge grass glistening with morning dew, capture the tranquil charm of rural life, where local farmers work in harmony with nature, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and gentle sunrise light, ideal for wide-angle shots and creative compositions

No one knows exactly when this tradition began, but these serene landscapes have become a beloved feature of the Mekong Delta, drawing photographers with their calm beauty and rural authenticity.

In the afternoon, continue your journey deeper into the Mekong as we head toward Chau Doc (approx. 200 km). Along the way, enjoy a rest stop for a uniquely local experience: relax in traditional hammocks, a common way for locals to rest during long journeys, enjoy fresh tropical fruits or iced drinks at a roadside stand, and soak in the laid-back charm of southern Vietnam’s countryside travel culture.  This simple break offers a genuine taste of local life and a welcome pause before reaching your next destination.

🛌 Overnight in Chau Doc.

Begin your day immersed in the rhythm of riverside life and the cultural richness of the Mekong’s ethnic communities. From floating villages to Cham heritage and optional Khmer traditions, today offers a tapestry of unforgettable photo opportunities and deep local encounters.

We’ll start early with a 2-hour boat cruise to visit the floating fish farms to see local people growing basa fish in wooden houseboats anchored midstream. This part of the Mekong teems with visual energy. Fishermen working with giant nets and hundreds of fish leaping and splashing, creating dramatic, action-filled shots. The water reflection of the houses and boats adds a picturesque affect. This is a dynamic and rewarding opportunity to capture the bustling rhythm of river life at its most photogenic in motion.

Next, we cross the river to visit a Cham ethnic village, the home to one of Vietnam’s distinctive ethnic minorities, with a strong Islamic heritage. Their mosques, traditional clothing, and daily life offer rich storytelling through photography.  The Mosque’s white dooms, minarets, and Arabic calligraphy create striking compositions. Cham women in traditional hijabs contrast beautifully against the mosque’s background. The riverbank village setting offers traditional documentary-style images. Despite various ups and downs in history, the Cham people continues to preserve traditional cultural values, customs and way of life of their ancestors with grace and quite strength. At the same time, you’ll step deeper into cultural tradition as the Cham craft, where the art of brocade weaving has been handed down through generations. You’ll able to observe and photograph Cham artisans weaving on wooden looms, creating vivid patterns and intricate textures, document about the centuries-old weaving techniques, blending Islamic motifs with regional styles, and capture close-up shots of hands at work, colorful threads, and traditional patterns in the making. The rhythmic clacking of looms and the artisans’ quiet focus transport you to a world where heritage and craftsmanship remain beautifully intact. This charming village offers you a glimpse into the centuries-old traditions of Cham brocade weaving.

Optional Experience: Bay Nui Bull Racing (Seasonal or On Request)

For those seeking high-energy, rare moments, Chau Doc is also famed for the dramatic bull racing festival of Bay Nui, celebrated by the Khmer community.

According to local legend, villagers once sent their bulls each year to plow the sacred land of the temple. After the work was done, the bulls would naturally begin to race in pairs, charging across the fields with thunderous energy. Delighted by the sight, the monks turned it into a festive competition—awarding silver knuckles or ornate rattles to the winning pair. Since then, bull racing has become a cherished tradition among the Khmer people of Bay Nui Mountain. From start to finish, the festival is a vibrant spectacle filled with cheering crowds, rhythmic drumming, and explosive sprints through muddy fields. As pairs of bulls thunder toward the finish line, water splashes sky-high, and the atmosphere becomes electric with excitement. To the Khmer community, this event is more than a sport—it’s a cultural celebration of pride, heritage, and hope. The victorious bull pair not only brings glory to their owner but also symbolizes a prosperous harvest and good fortune for the entire village in the coming year.

If your visit coincides with the festival (late August to early September on the lunar calendar), or by special private arrangement, you may photograph pairs of bulls charging through muddy fields, driven by barefoot farmers, spectators cheering, drums beating, and water flying—a spectacular mix of movement, emotion, and excitement.  The deep cultural and spiritual meaning behind the event, which honors ancestors and celebrates community pride will be documented through your lens.

📸 A private bull racing session can be arranged upon request for a unique photographic opportunity.

🛌 Overnight in Chau Doc.

Today is a blend of golden light, cultural flavor, and peaceful countryside, beginning with a sunrise shoot among iconic sugar palm trees and ending in the heart of the Mekong Delta—Can Tho.

Rise before dawn to capture one of Chau Doc’s most poetic scenes: the silhouette of sugar palm trees rising tall above expansive rice fields. As the first golden light breaks across the landscape, these towering palms cast elegant shadows across misty paddies—an unforgettable opportunity for serene, atmospheric landscape photography. You’ll capture minimalist compositions of palms and rice fields in soft morning tones, experiment with silhouette and contrast techniques under the rising sun, and soak in the quiet rhythm of rural life awakening in the delta.

Or if the weather allows, you may choose to clime Sam mountain for panoramic views across green rice fields, low-lying hills, and the Vietnam-Cambodia border.  Climbing to Sam Mountain is a great way to discover the beautiful nature and see the rustic scenery of the countryside. As the first light pierces the horizon, these natural silhouettes come alive in golden hues, offering a serene and deeply atmospheric setting that captures the timeless rhythm of rural Vietnamese life. From the top of the mountain, you do not only admire the undulating roofs, green rice fields or majestic sunset afar but also enjoy the fresh, peaceful space, listen to the birds chirping around. Thanks to the horizontal view upwards to the border, definitely you blissfully admire the spectacular and charming landscape of An Giang with wandering flows around green covers and low mountains. Photographing the sweeping countryside and its layered textures, exploring cultural and spiritual sites dotted around the mountain, including temples and shrines, and documenting scenes of daily life, birdsong, and peaceful mountain serenity is really an award to your early climbing.

Next, we’ll head to a nearby village for a hands-on photo session with local Bánh Xèo artisans, who craft Vietnam’s famous sizzling rice-flour pancakes in traditional kitchens. Stepping inside a rustic kitchen, alive with the sizzle and steam of multiple skillets, you’ll take photos of the pancake-making process, from ladling batter to folding fillings, and capture the textures, colors, and motion of this vibrant culinary craft, using your lens to tell the story of tradition through food. This is an ideal opportunity for intimate portraits and food-focused action shots in a culturally rich setting.

After lunch, embark on a private overland journey to Can Tho (approx. 170 km), the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Along the way, keep your camera ready for the roadside scenes of local life—children biking, water buffalo grazing, stilted wooden houses, quiet canals, and boats gliding past rural villages, or golden-hour lighting casting a dreamy glow on the lush delta landscape.

This drive is more than a transfer—it’s a slow-motion scroll through the delta’s everyday poetry, perfect for candid and spontaneous photography.

🛌 Overnight in Can Tho.

Today combines two unforgettable scenes of the Mekong Delta: the vibrant morning bustle of Cai Rang Floating Market and the elegant serenity of Som Rong Pagoda in Soc Trang, home to some of the Mekong’s most striking Khmer architecture.

Rise early and meet your guide and driver for a short transfer to the Cai Rang Floating Market boat station. From there, you’ll board a traditional boat and set off to explore the largest and most iconic floating market in the Mekong Delta. The colorful array of boats heaped with pineapples, melons, and other produce, and sellers using tall poles to display their goods provides dynamic and vibrant scenes. As the first light hits the water, the market comes alive with a golden glow, illuminating the wooden boats and their colorful produce. The misty morning air adds an ethereal quality, perfect for atmospheric shots. After cruising around the floating market, you may enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee from a vendor drifting nearby.  You may wish to move to a local pineapple or any fruits-selling boat to take nice photogenic photos of the floating market and savor beautiful fresh fruits on boat. Cai Rang Floating Market is more than just a marketplace—it’s a cultural spectacle. As a photographer, you’ll find endless opportunities to capture its vibrancy, energy, and traditions. The key is to stay alert, embrace the chaos, and let the river’s rhythm guide your lens.

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Soc Trang Province, known for its strong Khmer cultural presence and beautiful temple.  Your cultural discovery continues at the stunning Som Rong Pagoda (Patum Wongsa Som Rong)—a Khmer Buddhist temple dating back to 1785. Originally built of bamboo and thatch, it has evolved into one of the largest and most beautiful Khmer temples in the region. Its architecture combines both traditional Khmer culture and modernity with a unique colour scheme, creating a charming highlight. The highlight of the temple is the 63-meter-long reclining Buddha statue that is currently one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Vietnam. You’ll be captivated by the pagoda’s architecture, which blends traditional Khmer elements with modern design, adorned in a distinctive and vibrant color palette. It’s admiring with the elegant main hall, with detailed carvings of Keynor (the goddess of dance) and Krud (the mythical bird god), and the qilin statues flanking the entrance—symbols of protection in East Asian mythology.

Optional Cultural Set-Up: Khmer Dancers and Monks at the Temple

For a more curated cultural capture, we can arrange a photography session featuring Khmer dancers in traditional attire and Monks set against the ornate backdrop of the temple—a vibrant visual celebration of Khmer identity and spirituality.

🛌 Overnight in Soc Trang.

Today is a cultural and visual journey through Tra Vinh province, where ancient Khmer traditions, natural beauty, and coastal fishing life come together. From sacred temples to the rhythmic sweep of traditional fishing tools on Ba Dong Beach, this day offers a diverse canvas for photography and discovery.

Ba Om Pond – a must-see in Tra Vinh, Vietnam, is a popular attraction known for its unique landscape, historical and cultural significance, and surrounding natural beauty. You can see the ancient trees with their unusual root formations, the peaceful pond with its lotus flowers, and the nearby Ang Pagoda. You’ll wander through forests of centuries-old hopea and dipterocarp trees, with their strange, elevated roots forming caves, benches, and fairytale-like structures, ca pture the still reflections of lotus-covered waters, under the soft blue sky. Photograph this peaceful, atmospheric landscape that feels like stepping into a mystical forest.

Next, you’ll come to visit Ang Pagoda, a spiritual and architectural highlight, first built in 990 AD. It’s striking to admire the central altar with its seated and standing Buddha statues, surrounded by colorful murals, and the temple’s interior, with graceful wooden pillars, painted ceilings, and the striking two-tone blue shutters and doors. It’s so calm and relaxing as you explore one of the most important Khmer Buddhist landmarks in southern Vietnam.

Across from the temple lies the Khmer Cultural Museum, with exhibits on traditional dance, weaving, ceremonial objects, and agricultural tools—an excellent place to understand Khmer heritage and capture cultural textures.

Alternatively, you may choose to visit a Khmer artisan village, where locals handcraft masks, musical instruments, and ornate costumes for spiritual rituals and traditional performances. This experience offers the behind-the-scenes photography of hands at work, carving and painting, and an insight into how art and craft support the Khmer community’s cultural identity and spiritual life.

Later morning, if the time and weather allows, we’ll travel to Ba Dong Beach to witness and photograph the fascinating technique of Đẩy Xiệp—an ancient fishing method unique to the Mekong Delta. Here, you’ll observe fishermen pushing large V-shaped bamboo-framed nets through the shallow surf along the shore, catching fishes. Take in-action photos framed by waves, sand, and the rhythmic movement of fishing, and capture the beauty of traditional labor and coastal life, still preserved in modern Vietnam.  This rare practice, fading from many parts of the country, offers authentic documentary-style images and a glimpse into a vanishing way of life.

Afternoon: Return to Ho Chi Minh City

After a rich and rewarding morning, begin your journey back to Ho Chi Minh City. Along the way, please, enjoy the scenic countryside views along the drive—rice paddies, rivers, and delta villages and reflect on a day that wove together nature, heritage, and living traditions.

🛌 Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, leave the urban rhythm of Ho Chi Minh City behind as you head north toward the sun-kissed coast of Mũi Né, a destination known for its dramatic sandscapes, traditional coastal culture, and culinary heritage. From dynamic dunes to peaceful fishing harbors, this day offers a powerful visual and cultural journey.

After breakfast, begin your overland journey to Mũi Né, located in Binh Thuận province. Along the way, make a captivating stop at the Red Sand Dunes—one of Vietnam’s most photogenic natural wonders. These dunes offer an extraordinary visual feast—rolling hills of rich red-orange sand contrasting vividly with the deep blue sky and ocean. Capture striking compositions of silhouettes against dramatic light and shadows, or action shots of local children sandboarding down the slopes. These moments create a powerful blend of landscape and culture photography.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit a traditional Bánh Hỏi-making village, where locals prepare one of Vietnam’s most delicate and symbolic dishes. You’ll discover the meticulous process of crafting Bánh Hỏi rice noodles, made from steamed, finely woven rice vermicelli, learn the cultural meaning of this dish, often served at weddings, temple offerings, and festive holidays. Photographing artisans at work, from steaming to layering the delicate noodle sheets into elegant bundles, and documenting the connection between food and ritual in Vietnamese culture tells the story through detailed and intimate images.

Then, we’ll delve into one of Vietnam’s most iconic culinary traditions with a visit to a local fish sauce factory. The region is renowned for this staple of Vietnamese cuisine. You’ll get a chance to witness the traditional fermentation process, with massive wooden vats filled with fish, giving a behind-the-scenes look at one of Vietnam’s most iconic condiments. Discover the centuries-old fermentation process, where massive wooden vats brim with fermenting anchovies and salt, get to know how this humble ingredient becomes the backbone of Vietnamese cuisine, enriching nearly every dish, and most importantly, photograph the symmetry of the barrels, workers stirring the mixture, and the atmospheric environment filled with pungent aromas. This behind-the-scenes experience offers a unique view into the intersection of culture and cuisine.

🛌 Overnight in Mui Ne.

Today’s journey takes you deep into the cultural soul of South-Central Vietnam, weaving through the bustling rhythm of Mũi Né’s seafood markets, the ancient craftsmanship of the Cham people. With each stop, you’ll gather rich stories through your lens—portraits, textures, colors, and rituals that reveal the heart of local life.

Start the day early with a visit to the Mui Ne seafood market, a chaotic yet fascinating hub of local life. Here, fishermen trade their night catch—nets brimming with seafood, water-filled buckets of fish, clams, and squids, all set against a background of bustling conversation and haggling. It’s a lively, colorful scene perfect for candid shots of bargaining, weighing, and cleaning fish amid animated chatter and salty mist. The locals balancing baskets, mending nets, and basket boats docking along the shore—raw, unfiltered slices of everyday life perfect for documentary photography is an atmospheric scene of working-class vibrance and the resilience of coastal livelihoods.

Later, we’ll head inland to Bau Truc Pottery Village near Phan Rang, one of the oldest remaining pottery communities in Southeast Asia and home to the Cham ethnic minority. Known for their ancient pottery-making techniques and handwoven textiles, the villagers offer rich content for portrait and cultural photography. Capture elders in traditional attire, women at work molding clay or weaving, and scenes of everyday life against the rustic charm of this historic village. Explore the rustic homes, clay drying yards, and quiet village lanes rich in texture and timeless charm. This is an intimate encounter with a culture that still breathes through its earth, hands, and fire.

Then, another craft village is waiting, where you’ll immerse yourself in the centuries-old art of Cham brocade weaving of Cham ethnics, a community famed for its intricately patterned textiles.  The brocade weaving profession in My Nghiep weaving village has a history of hundreds of years.  The handicraft weaving village is not noisy and bustling but simple and full of identity. Originating from the prosperous period of the Champa kingdom. Traditionally, the weaving profession is closely associated with Cham women. It is passed down from mother to daughter as an indispensable part of cultural and religious life. In Cham culture, brocade is not only clothing but also a symbol of sophistication. It represents status, position and religious beliefs. Each woven pattern has a profound meaning and is meticulously cared for down to the smallest detail. The main raw materials for weaving brocade are usually cotton and synthetic fibers. You’ll see natural plant-based dyes—reds from tree roots, blacks from wild fruits, greens from forest leaves—creating earth-toned patterns with deep symbolic meaning. The colors are rustic, harmonious, and close to nature. Creating a very unique beauty for Cham brocade products.

This village is a living archive of Champa-era heritage, offering powerful opportunities for portraiture, detailed close-ups, and cultural storytelling.

🛌 Overnight in Mui Ne or Phan Rang (based on your preference)

Today’s journey leads you along one of Vietnam’s most scenic and culturally rich coastlines—from bustling fishing villages to peaceful salt flats. You’ll capture the enduring rhythm of Vietnamese maritime life, framed by dramatic seascapes, hardworking hands, and the golden light of sunset over salt fields.

Wake up early and travel to Phan Ri Cua, a charming coastal fishing village renowned for its authentic maritime culture. As dawn breaks, watch fishermen unload their morning catch, creating lively scenes ideal for photojournalistic storytelling.  Capture fishermen hauling in vibrant nets, women sorting seafood, and local vendors engaging in animated trade, and document the coastal life at its rawest, set against the soft hues of dawn and reflective wet sands. It is a fantastic opportunity to document Vietnamese coastal life in its rawest form.

Continue north to Ca Na Port, a stunning destination perfect for landscape and seascape photography. The rugged coastline, traditional fishing boats, and backdrop of mountain ranges create dramatic compositions—especially during sunrise or sunset. Frame colorful wooden boats docked in tranquil waters, surrounded by a backdrop of craggy cliffs and distant hills. Photograph fishermen repairing their nets, spreading them wide along the piers or sand—an intricate and meditative daily ritual.

In the late afternoon, we’ll arrive at the breathtaking Hon Khoi Salt Fields – one of the best beautiful salt field in Viet Nam. Witness salt farmers in conical hats collecting salt from vast white fields under golden sunlight, and capture the contrast of textures and tones—pure white salt, earthy paths, glowing skies, and traditional tools in motion. As the sun sets, compose iconic silhouettes of workers framed by mountains, water, and color-rich skies. The salt field offers a perfect blend of human activity, natural beauty, and traditional craftsmanship, making them an unmissable stop for any photography tour.

🛌 Overnight in Doc Let.

Today should be a celebration of Vietnam’s coastal grace, where the shimmering salt fields of Dốc Lết give way to the urban beauty and serene beaches of Nha Trang. From sunrise silhouettes of salt harvesters to the Gothic spires of colonial cathedrals and colorful twilight over the bay, this day offers a rich canvas of visual storytelling.

Sunrise Salt Field Photography

Wake before dawn to return to the Dốc Lết salt fields, a hidden gem for early risers. As the sun rises, workers harvest salt using traditional tools—shoulder poles, baskets, and wheelbarrows—creating surreal scenes of glistening white salt mounds beneath golden skies. The reflections, light, and shadows offer compelling compositions that showcase the beauty and hardship of coastal labor.

After your morning shoot, enjoy a well-deserved local breakfast featuring fish noodle soup, savory pies, and grilled rolls. Then, continue our journey south to Nha Trang, Vietnam’s premier beach destination, known for its unique blend of spiritual landmarks, colonial relics, and turquoise coastlines. We’ll visit the Nha Trang Rock Church, an impressive Gothic-style cathedral with stained glass windows, arched stonework, and striking backdrops for architectural and cultural portraits, then, explore Long Sơn Pagoda, home to the towering White Buddha statue, serene courtyards, and dragon mosaics—perfect for atmospheric, detail-rich photography. These spiritual and architectural icons offer both grandeur and intimacy, reflecting Vietnam’s diverse cultural layers.

In the afternoon, spend your final afternoon here soaking in the coastal serenity of Nha Trang Beach. You may capture leisure scenes along the beach—fishermen, families, vendors, and gentle waves, or walk toward the north end of Tran Phu Bridge, where the sun sets behind the bay, casting pink, orange, and purple hues across the horizon. Whether you’re shooting panoramic landscapes or detailed close-ups, Nha Trang Beach offers endless photographic opportunities.

🛌 Overnight in Nha Trang.

Start your final day in Nha Trang with a visit to the Po Nagar Cham Towers—a sacred complex dating from the 7th to 12th centuries. With its ancient red brick structures, intricate carvings, and surrounding greenery, the site is rich in both history and visual depth.

Next, head to the Hon Chong Promontory, a stunning coastal rock formation where jagged boulders jut into the East Sea, creating one of Nha Trang’s most iconic natural landmarks. The contrast between earth and sea offers dynamic angles for both minimalist and layered photography.

After your final shoot, return to your hotel to freshen up and check out. You’ll then be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City, connecting to your international departure.

As your lens closes on this unforgettable journey, we thank you for traveling with us through the cultural depths and natural wonders of southern Vietnam. May your images carry not only the beauty but also the stories of the people and places you’ve encountered.

Safe Travels—and Until Next Time, Hẹn gặp lại!