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Vietnam Photo Workshop
June 10th - 18th 2027
From misty tea plantations and the tranquil waters of Thac Ba Lake to vibrant lychee harvests and the fishing communities of the central coast, discover a side of Vietnam few travellers experience.
* 8 spaces left *
From tea pickers working mist-covered hillsides and the vibrant lychee harvest to salt fields, coracle boat makers, and fishermen mending nets along the central coast, this journey offers a unique insight into the traditions and livelihoods that continue to shape life across Vietnam.
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 locals rowing their boats among the lotus leaves.
We take the afternoon flight to Quy Nhon, ready to explore the fishing villages in Central Vietnam.
Day 6: Fishing Communities + Salt Flats
This morning we explore our first 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 7: Fishing Communities
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 afternoon, we 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.
Before sunset, we shoot the longest wooden bridge in Vietnam. Surrounding the bridge are huge fish nets that locals will be cleaning and mending from small coracle boats below.
Day 8: Rice Paper + Salt Flats
This morning, we explore a rice paper village, where we photograph the local workers making and drying rice paper, a staple in every Vietnamese household, as the sun rises.
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 9: Fish Market + Depart
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.
In the afternoon, we fly back to Hanoi, where you are free to return home or explore more of Vietnam!
Pricing
Total price: $5,750 USD
Payable today: $1,000 deposit to secure your spot
Remainder payable: 10 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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9 nights of accommodation (starting June 7th) 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). Please arrive by June 7th at the latest as we start early on June 8th. Your accommodation for the night of the 7th is included in the workshop package.
On the final day of the trip, we fly back to Hanoi from central Vietnam, arriving in Hanoi at around 6pm local time. Please book a night flight on June 16th at the earliest.
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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.