Vietnam Photo Tours & workshops

Bountiful photo opportunities

photo tours and workshops IN the stunning beauty of Vietnam

Join me for an unforgettable Vietnam photography tour and workshop. I run various photo tours throughout the year in this stunning south-east Asian country which normally start in Hanoi.

Vietnam is a country full of culture, breathtaking landscapes as well as a captivating history. It’s no wonder it is fast become one of the most sought-after destinations for photographers around the world. 

Whether you’re looking to capture the bustling streets of Hanoi; the serene beauty of Ha Long Bay or stunning rice terraces, my Vietnam photo tours and workshops will help you get the best out of the country. So join me on an unforgettable journey through this stunning country as we explore its hidden gems and hone our travel photography skills along the way!

"My husband and I had the pleasure of joining Julian Elliot on his Vietnam photography tour this September, and it was an incredible journey. He possesses an immense knowledge of photography and a deep understanding of the locations and people we visited. Julian took us to locations that included rice terrace landscapes, farmers, fishermen, brick and incense makers at work, big city street scenes, and portraits, which allowed us to capture breathtaking shots. Julian was patient, approachable, and always willing to provide personalized tips. He showed us how to get up close and engage with portrait images of hill tribe people and professional models. What truly sets Julian apart is his passion and energy. We were lucky with the weather, as we had many sunrises and sunsets in varied locations, including a fantastic early morning market in a fishing village. Every hidden gem we visited was an opportunity for him to inspire us to see the world in new ways. It was not just about taking pictures—it was about connecting with the environment and honing our artistic vision. We've expanded our portfolio and gained a wealth of new techniques and unforgettable memories. I highly recommend Julian to anyone looking to elevate their photography skills while having a great time exploring beautiful Vietnam. Truly a five-star experience!"

Tour details

Basic information

Group size

Max 5

Duration

Various from 13 to 15 days

Price

6495€ to 6995€

Fitness Level

Low to Medium

Our base

4 star hotels and homestays

Golden terraced fields

During the early part of September, the photo opportunities in Vietnam are bountiful. The rice terraces turn a golden yellow and are transformed into a stunning backdrop to the hillsides and deep valleys. But it’s not just rice terraces that await us.

The bustling streets of Hanoi with its famous Train Street; Mu Cang Chai with its stunning rice terraces and also the bustling port town of Hoi An. The latter is a town I know exceptionally well having spent the best part of two months there in 2019.

Sunset over Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces, Vietnam photo tour.
Sunset over Mu Cang Chai Rice Terraces, Vietnam.
Incense village in Vietnam - Vietnam photo tours
Incense village in Vietnam.

Vibrant life

We will endeavour to make the very best of the morning and evening light during the Vietnam photo tour. You will be taken to some of the very best photography locations and also lead you to explore lesser-known spots, so you can photograph a wide array of classic imagery, from breathtaking landscapes to lifestyle and close-up photography.

Accommodation

Our stays during these Vietnam photo tours are based in a mixture of hotels and homestays. Homestays are the Vietnamese equivalent of a bed and breakfast and these will be used in and around Mu Cang Chai. Double rooms are provided with breakfast and a 3-course dinner included where we can (drinks excluded).

Mosaic on a wall in Hanoi, Vietnam photo tour.
Mosaic on a wall in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Photography techniques covered during the workshop
  • Exposure and understanding of how to get the best out of the light
  • Composition techniques to create balanced images
  • Lens choice and focal length. Typically people head for the wide-angle in a landscape but up in the mountains telephoto lenses are also heavily used.
  • Panoramic photography. How to best compose the beautiful panoramas that we’ll see during the photography tour
  • Using Adobe Lightroom or Camera Raw to process our images
  • Using luminosity masks in Adobe Photoshop
  • Colour correction
  • Stitching panoramic images

Upcoming Vietnam Photography Tours

Vietnam Photo Tour | 14 – 28 June 2025

Vietnam Photo Tour | 13 – 27 September 2025

Vietnam Photo Tour | 8 – 20 February 2026

Vietnam Photo Tour | 13 – 27 June 2026

Vietnam Photo Tour | 12 – 26 September 2026

Vietnam Photo Tour | 14 – 26 February 2027

FAQs
Why choose a Vietnam Photo Tour with me?

Authentic Local Experiences
My Vietnam Photo Tours will help you get off the typical tourist trails and help you discover the authentic Vietnam.

We’ll explore ethnic minority villages in the north nestled amongst the stunning landscapes such as the famous rice terraces to local markets that are bustling with local people at work where you can get up close for more intimate images.

My tours of Vietnam are designed to immerse you in the local cultures and traditions of this stunning south-east Asian culture that help make it unique.

I have many connections with local people, which will allow you to capture images that you will treasure.

What is the experience of the photography tour leader accompanying the tour?

I have been a professional travel photographer since late 2010. Having travelled in 40 countries and counting I have extensive experience of the genre in a variety of situations.

You’re in good hands and I’m here to help you get the most out of your photo tour of Vietnam.

What is the best time of year to visit Vietnam for photography?

This is a very broad question because so much depends on what you want to see and do.

For example, in central Vietnam the fishing season tends to run from February to late August and outside of those times you’re not likely to catch the traditional fishermen at work.

In Northern Vietnam, the rice terraces turn yellow around mid-September so if you go in November expecting to see golden landscapes, then you’ll be out of luck.

All of my Vietnam photo tours are designed to capture various places at the optimum time of year so you get the images that you want.

Will we visit iconic sites like Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and the rice terraces in Sapa?

Again, this depends on the times of year that a specific photo tour is being run. Please feel to look at the itinerary of the individual tours in February, June or September to get a feel of what you’re likely to see.

You can of course contact me for more information on specific tours and I’ll be happy to help you.

Do you offer tours focused on specific themes, such as street photography or landscape photography?

Absolutely! The Vietnam photo tour in February is more focussed towards the travel portraiture side of things whereas in June and September you’ll get a variety of subjects from landscapes to street photography.

Can we photograph local cultures and communities?

We sure can! In fact in Northern Vietnam I have connections with some of the local people going back several years which help us get much more intimate portrait sessions with them.

Are there any cultural customs or etiquette I should be aware of when photographing people in Vietnam?

Every community and culture has its own cultural customs and etiquette. Our guide will always be on hand to help us navigate each scenario we find ourselves in so you’ll always be in safe hands.

Will there be opportunities for sunrise and sunset photography?

Where a subject demands it then yes, we will be up for sunrise or out for sunset photo shoots.

For example, in central Vietnam one of the subjects that we will be capturing is a local fisherman raising his net in the morning. We start with the pre-dawn light before capturing the raising sun as it hits his net. You’ll be glad of the early start and get back to the hotel enthralled at what you have seen at the crack of dawn.

Do I need any special permits for photography in certain areas of Vietnam?

Some areas of the north do require specific permits for tourists to go there. Our ground agent will arrange all of this so you will have a hassle free experience on your tour.

Is it safe to travel with expensive camera gear in Vietnam?

Vietnam is a very safe country. In all the years that I have been travelling here I have never felt unsafe when travelling around either in cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh city or out in the countryside.

Of course, you should always exercise the usual cautions wherever you go and never assume you can just leave your precious camera gear lying around.

What kind of camera equipment should I bring for a Vietnam photography tour?

On a Vietnam photography tour you could quite happily have two lenses with you and capture everything you see.

Ideally, if you had the 24-105mm and a 100-400mm focal lengths, then you wouldn’t struggle to be capturing images. Very rarely do I go wider than 24mm and I don’t think I’ve ever gone beyond 400mm.

Outside of this, a good sturdy tripod will serve you well if shooting the landscape and sunrise or sunset.

Will there be local guides to help with language barriers and cultural interactions?

All of my Vietnam photo tours are assisted by a local guide who will help us converse with the locals where needed.

Are accommodations and meals provided, and what type of food can I expect?

All of your accommodation and meals are provided on my Vietnam photography tours. Alcohol is not included and is at your own expense.

Personally, I am a vegetarian and have never experienced any issues with eating here.

You can expect a variety of foods depending on where you are in Vietnam. Each region has its own specialities so you’ll be getting the chance to eat a huge variety of dishes if you wish.

All accommodation is provided on a single occupancy basis so you won’t be sharing with a stranger or be paying extra just because you’re solo traveler. Unlike other companies, I don’t charge a single supplement. The price you see is the price you pay.

Do the tours include transportation between photography locations?

From the time of your arrival to the time of your departure, all of your transportation during the photo tour will be taken care of.

We will pick you at the airport and transport you to the first hotel and upon departure to so you can have no worries about getting to and from where we are staying.

How physically demanding are the tours? Will we be hiking or trekking?

There are no strenuous walks during the photography tour so you don’t have to be supremely fit to join.

If we are in the rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai then we use the help of local people to transport us up to the various viewpoints on the back of a motorcycle. This saves us a good hour or so of walking in some cases.

Will there be time to explore local markets and capture street life?

Throughout the photo tour there are opportunities for free time. If we are getting up early everyday or having to travel then it can be demanding on the body. So there are certainly times when you will be free to explore some of the local area we are in in your own.

Can I participate if I’m a beginner, or are the tours suitable only for advanced photographers?

All of my photo tours are open to beginners and advanced photographers alike.

Some people just want to be taken to a location and left to their own devices whereas some people want tuition when we are out. In either situation, I’m happy to help you where you need it.

The aim of my photography tours are to ensure you have a great time and go back home with images you can be proud of?

What should I pack for a photography tour in Vietnam's climate?

Packing for a photo tour of Vietnam depends on when you are looking to go.

In February, the weather tends to be mild with temperatures floating around 20°c or 68°f. Whereas in June temperatures could be in the mid-30s or so with high humidity.

The best advice is light clothing along with a rain jacket or poncho. If we are in the rice terraces early in the morning, there is the possibility it could be a little chilly, so you can always pack a light fleece with you.

Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam?

Vietnam offers travellers from countries such as the UK, France and Germany a 45 day visa-free entry into its territory.

Travellers from countries such as the USA are required to apply for a visa.

I'm ready to book, how do I book a spot?

To book a spot on one of my Vietnam photo tours, then please feel free to visit the specific page of the dates that you are wanting to go.

There is the usual checkout process that you find on websites.

Payments are securely processed using WooCommerce and Stripe so your credit card details are safe at all times. 

You can either pay a deposit to secure your place or you can pay the whole amount upfront if you choose. 

My website is set up to take transactions in Euros, US Dollars and GBP.

Get an insight into Vietnam