THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Vietnam's coastlines, historic architecture, street scenes and regional cultures, with a focus on daily life. Photography locations and portrait sessions depend on operator confirmation and the consent of the people photographed.
Water lilies and áo dài portraits
Create portraits with water lilies, aquatic plants and áo dài clothing in Long An, with environmental fine-art nude sessions. Models and sessions are subject to confirmation.
Rural life and traditional crafts
Photograph fishing boats, nets, bridges, villages and traditional work around Buon Ma Thuot, Phu Yen, Hoi An and Hue.
Hanoi streets and crafts
Explore Hanoi and its surroundings for street scenes, sauce making, bamboo basket craft and incense village portraits.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Xavi Zhuang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Xavi Zhuang
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Nov 15 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhMeet in Ho Chi Minh City–Long An
Meet in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with airport pickup. Continue to Long An, the water-lily photography location, approximately 3 hours by road. Check in at the hotel on arrival.
Accommodation:Long An hotel
DAY 02Nov 16 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhLong An–Buon Ma Thuot
Photography highlights: Vietnamese áo dài portraits, distinctive water lilies, fine-art nude portraits of an international model among water lilies, and water-grass harvesting scenes. Participants with drones should be sure to bring them! Have lunch after photography, then transfer to the airport for a 1-hour flight to Buon Ma Thuot. Explore the distinctive Central Highlands, including celebrated coffee plantations, traditional ethnic cultures and dramatic elephant photography settings.
Accommodation:Buon Ma Thuot; hotel to confirm
DAY 03Nov 17 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhBuon Ma Thuot–Phu Yen
Photography highlights: elephants and a boatman at dawn, elephants with an áo dài model, environmental fine-art nude portraits of an international model with elephants, and traditional Vietnamese basket boats.
Accommodation:Phu Yen; hotel to confirm
DAY 04Nov 18 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhPhu Yen
Photography highlights: environmental portraits at the lighthouse at sunrise with áo dài and international fine-art nude models; aerial views of traditional purse-seine fishing; dyeing and drying sedge; and áo dài portraits at the lagoon at sunset.
Accommodation:Phu Yen; hotel to confirm
DAY 05Nov 19 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhPhu Yen–Hoi An
Photography highlights: aerial views of Vietnam's longest narrow wooden bridge, áo dài portraits on the bridge, and nighttime portraits in Hoi An's old town.
Accommodation:Hoi An; hotel to confirm
DAY 06Nov 20 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhHoi An–Hue
Photography highlights: fishermen at dawn, áo dài portraits in the old city, farmers returning from the fields, fishermen on the Nhu Y River, and áo dài models releasing floating lanterns.
Accommodation:Hue; hotel to confirm
DAY 07Nov 21 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhHue–Hanoi
Photography highlights: aerial sunrise over Quang Loi Lagoon, áo dài portraits in morning mist, fine-art nude portraits of an international model in morning mist, and cultural scenes on Hanoi Train Street at night.
Accommodation:Hanoi; hotel to confirm
DAY 08Nov 22 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhHanoi
Photography highlights: model portraits along Hanoi's ceramic road, traditional Vietnamese sauce-making, bamboo fish-trap weaving and model portraits at Quang Phu Cau incense village.
Accommodation:Hanoi; hotel to confirm
DAY 09Nov 23 · Asia/Ho_Chi_MinhHanoi portraits–departure
Morning fine-art nude portrait session with both the Vietnamese and European models. The group disperses in the afternoon; please book return flights departing after 16:00 that day.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang
- IncludedProfessional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees;
Transport
- IncludedTransport: all overland touring vehicle expenses;
- ExcludedFlights: all air tickets are excluded; booking assistance is available;
Travel details and reference schedules
Travel references depart from Shenzhen or Guangzhou for Ho Chi Minh City and return from Hanoi. Flight numbers and times conflict between the two options; confirm exact services and transfers before booking.
Photography
- Water lilies and áo dài portraits
- Rural life and traditional crafts
- Hanoi streets and crafts
Photography details
Water lilies and áo dài portraits Create portraits with water lilies, aquatic plants and áo dài clothing in Long An, with environmental fine-art nude sessions. Models and sessions are subject to confirmation. Rural life and traditional crafts Photograph fishing boats, nets, bridges, villages and traditional work around Buon Ma Thuot, Phu Yen, Hoi An and Hue. Hanoi streets and crafts Explore Hanoi and its surroundings for street scenes, sauce making, bamboo basket craft and incense village portraits. Water lilies and áo dài portraits Rural life and traditional crafts Hanoi streets and crafts Included · Models: costumes, makeup, props and photography-session fees; Included · Professional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees; Excluded · Tips payable to people photographed independently;
Accommodation
- 8 nights
- Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator.
- IncludedAccommodation: selected comfortable twin rooms during the itinerary, two people per room;
Accommodation details
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: Long An hotel Day 2: Buon Ma Thuot; hotel to confirm Day 3: Phu Yen; hotel to confirm Day 4: Phu Yen; hotel to confirm Day 5: Hoi An; hotel to confirm Day 6: Hue; hotel to confirm Day 7: Hanoi; hotel to confirm Day 8: Hanoi; hotel to confirm Day 1 · 2026-11-15 Long An hotel Day 2 · 2026-11-16 Buon Ma Thuot; hotel to confirm Day 3 · 2026-11-17 Phu Yen; hotel to confirm Day 4 · 2026-11-18 Phu Yen; hotel to confirm Day 5 · 2026-11-19 Hoi An; hotel to confirm Day 6 · 2026-11-20 Hue; hotel to confirm Day 7 · 2026-11-21 Hanoi; hotel to confirm Day 8 · 2026-11-22 Hanoi; hotel to confirm 8 nights Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Included · Accommodation: selected comfortable twin rooms during the itinerary, two people per room; Excluded · Single supplements for solo occupancy or when room sharing is unavailable; the amount requires confirmation with the operator.
Meals
- IncludedDaily drinking water, with no waste permitted.
- IncludedBreakfast at the hotels.
- ExcludedLunches and dinners are paid separately and may be shared by agreement.
Visa
- ExcludedVisa and processing expenses; the applicable procedure and amount require confirmation with the operator.
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Accommodation: selected comfortable twin rooms during the itinerary, two people per room;
Transport: all overland touring vehicle expenses;
Admission: main entrance tickets to attractions on the itinerary;
Travel accident insurance for each participant; confirm the insured amount and coverage.
Models: costumes, makeup, props and photography-session fees;
Professional tour leader, guide and photography instruction fees;
Daily drinking water, with no waste permitted.
Breakfast at the hotels.
Not included
Flights: all air tickets are excluded; booking assistance is available;
Visa and processing expenses; the applicable procedure and amount require confirmation with the operator.
Single supplements for solo occupancy or when room sharing is unavailable; the amount requires confirmation with the operator.
Lunches and dinners are paid separately and may be shared by agreement.
Voluntary tips in accordance with international practice and local customs;
All personal and incidental expenses, such as postcards and souvenirs;
Tips payable to people photographed independently;
In force majeure circumstances, such as natural disasters, war or strikes, or exceptional events including flight delays or cancellations and consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or modify the itinerary. Additional expenses, including extended visas abroad, accommodation, meals, transport and national airfare adjustments, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless try within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other additional expenses not listed under inclusions;
Invoice-related taxes are additional; confirm the applicable amount with the operator.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Portrait sessions
The plan includes one Vietnamese áo dài model, one European fine-art nude model and one Vietnamese fine-art nude model, with the latter scheduled for one session. Confirm the final models, sessions, costumes and props.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Itinerary dates use Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.