$500 OFF ENDS NOVEMBER 15TH - DON’T MISS OUT!
Vietnam Photo Workshop 2026
June 8th - 16th
From northern harvests of lychee and tea to salt fields and coastal fishing life in central Vietnam
* 8 spaces total · 4 available *
Immerse yourself in the rich and diverse culture of Vietnam through a photography journey like no other. Get ready to traverse the lush tea plantations, bustling markets, and quaint fishing communities of northern and central Vietnam. This workshop goes beyond sightseeing - you'll capture authentic moments of local life and culture while refining your skills in a supportive setting. With personalized guidance, you’ll elevate your photography technique, enhance your editing prowess, and gain insights into making your mark as a travel photographer. Experience Vietnam like a local, capturing life away from the typical tourist trail.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! We will meet at our hotel before sunrise to shoot the train street without the tourists.
Then, we take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the old quarter where we will photograph the local morning routines of Hanoi's residents.
In the afternoon, we visit the Vintage Neighbourhood for street photography in an authentic setting.
Group welcome dinner to discuss our plans for the trip.
Day 2: Craft Villages
An early start today as we explore two photogenic craft villages on the outskirts of Hanoi.
First, we visit Quang Phu Cau, the famous incense stick village, where workers dye and dry incense sticks ready to export.
After lunch, we drive to the soy sauce village, where locals use large clay pots to make the famous Vietnamese soy sauce. We visit 2 different families here to capture a range of photos.
Day 3: Thac Ba Lake
At sunrise, we explore Long Bien market and the nearby bridge - a lively hub of vendors, bustling early-morning activity, and the soft first light over the Red River.
We return to the hotel to check out before beginning our journey to Thac Ba Lake.
On arrival, we take a boat out onto the lake, with plenty of opportunity to photograph local fishermen as they work, framed by the warm glow of the setting sun.
Day 4: Tea Plantations + Pottery Village
This morning, we photograph the tea plantations in Thac Ba, where tea pickers traverse the rolling hills to harvest tea leaves. This is a great place for both camera and drone photography, and we have time for some portrait sessions too.
We have a photo review session after breakfast, before making our way to Phu Lang Ceramics Village.
Ceramic pots, statues, and coffins are made, painted, and sold in almost every household. We stroll through the village as the sun begins to set to photograph the locals at work.
Day 5: Lychee Harvest
This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for - at sunrise, we’ll photograph Bac Giang’s annual lychee harvest. Streets turn into a sea of red as motorbikes stacked with fruit arrive to be sorted and packed for markets across Vietnam and beyond.
After check-out, we stop at a lotus pond en route to Hanoi to photograph a local lady rowing her boat among the lotus leaves.
We take the afternoon flight to Nha Trang, ready to explore the fishing villages in Central Vietnam.
Day 6: Salt Flats
After a busy first half of the trip, this morning is free at leisure for you to swim, sleep, or get a massage, with the option of joining a group editing session led by Jord.
In the late afternoon, we visit the salt flats nearby to photograph the farmers harvesting salt with the golden sunset light reflecting on the pools.
Day 7: Fishing Communities
We continue with the early mornings and depart for Van Gia fishing community, capturing the daily life of the local fishermen at sunrise.
If we are lucky, we will see a group of locals making a fishing net, which they do every few months.
After lunch, we drive to Song Cau, where we shoot the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam. Surrounding the bridge there are huge fish nets which locals will be cleaning and mending from small coracle boats below.
Day 8: Fishing Communities
This morning we explore another fishing community, where fishermen arrive at shore in coracle boats to sell their catch to the many sellers waiting on the beach. This is a great scene to photograph with a drone.
We then make our way to a large anchovy drying facility, where we photograph hundreds of crates of anchovies being left to dry in the sun from above.
Next, we photograph a net mending factory, where broken fishing nets are brought to be fixed.
Lastly, we explore the Song Cau salt flats at sunset for a different perspective of the salt harvesting process.
Day 9: Mat Weaving + Coracle Boats
Our last morning shooting together as a group sees us at a mat-weaving village in Song Cau, where we photograph the local workers dyeing and weaving mats made from seagrass.
We then visit a family that makes traditional bamboo coracle boats in their backyard and learn about the process of making these boats that generations have followed.
In the afternoon, we fly back to Hanoi, where you are free to return home or explore more of Vietnam!
Pricing
Total price: $5,000 USD (normally $5,500)
Payable today: $1,000 deposit to secure your spot
Remainder payable: 5 x monthly installments
Number of participants: 8
“To be honest I had very high expectations of this workshop and, well, those expectations were well and truly smashed!”
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8 nights of accommodation in carefully selected 4* & 5* hotels, twin sharing, with single occupancy available on request.
Return domestic flight between Hanoi + Nha Trang/Tuy Hoa included.
All on-ground transportation, including a private mini-bus.
All meals, non-alcoholic drinks with meals, and bottled water throughout the trip.
Snacks for the road to keep you fueled during long shooting days.
All entrance fees and gratuities for locals when photographing them.
A dedicated local guide and fixer for the entire journey.
Editing workshops with Jord, covering advanced post-processing techniques.
Photography lessons in the field, focused on storytelling, composition, and technique.
Photo review sessions to refine your work and elevate your creative vision.
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Your flights to and from Vietnam
Travel insurance
Visa cost
Alcohol
Personal expenses
Who is this workshop for?
This photography trip is limited to just 8 participants, allowing me to give each of you my full attention and help you get the most out of the experience. The small group size means I can work closely with everyone - whether you’re just starting out, looking to refine your craft, or already shooting professionally. It’s a chance to learn, create, and grow in a supportive environment while photographing one of the most extraordinary countries on earth.
Photographers love Jord's workshops: see for yourself!
What gear should you bring?
Camera
A couple of lenses to cover bases between 16-200mm
Drone (not necessary but highly recommended)
Laptop for editing sessions
Visa Information
Some passport holders are eligible for visa exemption. Click here to find out if you qualify.
If your country is not on the list, you will need to apply for visa. Please reach out if you need help with this.
For more information on visas, click here.
FAQs
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You’ll need to arrive in Hanoi, ideally flying into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). The workshop starts early on June 8th, so I recommend arriving the day before to get settled.
I’ll send details of the hotel to stay at the night before, and once the workshop begins, all transport, accommodation, and logistics are taken care of. You’ll also depart from Hanoi at the end of the trip.I
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Yes - comprehensive travel insurance is required for all participants. It should include medical coverage and trip cancellation, just in case of unexpected events.
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June marks the start of summer in northern Vietnam, with warm days, humid air, and dramatic afternoon light. You can expect temperatures around 25-33°C, with occasional short rain showers.
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Absolutely. Many guests join solo. You’ll share a twin room with another participant unless you’d prefer a single room (available for an additional supplement).
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This trip is limited to 8 participants, keeping the group small and personal so everyone gets plenty of shooting time and guidance.
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A $1,000 deposit secures your spot and is non-refundable. The remaining balance can be paid in instalments.
For more info, take a look at the full refund policy here →
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Once your deposit is paid, you’ll receive a welcome email with all the details you need, including packing lists, gear suggestions, and arrival information.
A WhatsApp group will also be created about a month before the trip so everyone can connect, ask questions, and get updates before we set off.
“Great group, great locations, great photos, beautifully organised. 10/10!”
Hey, I’m Jord
I’m a full-time travel and street photographer from the UK and have spent the last nine years exploring Asia with my camera.
Vietnam has a special place in my heart. On a trip in 2023, I began venturing beyond the well-trodden paths, photographing remote fishing communities, traditional craft villages, and daily life in the countryside during the rice harvest. Every visit brings new stories, faces, and moments to capture.
This time, I’ll take you on a journey through the north and central regions - from lively markets and unique street scenes to serene landscapes shaped by generations of tradition. Together, we’ll dive into the art of street, cultural, and landscape photography in an immersive and inspiring way.
I can’t wait to share this adventure with you.