6-Day Vietnam Photography Tour: Capture Yen Bai Beauty and Traditional Villages

8:00 AM: Our private car and tour guide will pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi for a scenic 3.5-hour drive through the countryside. Enjoy breathtaking mountain landscapes and pass by charming local villages surrounded by lush rice fields and tea plantations as you make your way to Thac Ba Lake.

11:30 AM: Upon arrival at Thac Ba Lake, we will visit Thac Ba hydro-power station and its dam. This stop provides insight into the challenges Vietnam faced in constructing this important facility.

Next, we’ll drive to Ngoi Tu Village, a tranquil and rustic settlement located on the banks of Thac Ba Lake.

Thac Ba lake view from top point of Thuy Tien cave

After enjoying a delicious lunch at a homestay, we’ll get on a boat ride to explore the serene Thac Ba Lake. This is a fantastic opportunity to admire the peaceful scenery surrounding the expansive lake, learn about the lifestyle of the Dzao people who inhabit the numerous islets, and take a scenic hike to Thuy Tien Cave, where you can capture stunning panoramic views of the lake from above.

After the boat ride, return to the homestay to check in and unwind at your leisure. Enjoy a delightful dinner featuring home-cooked dishes prepared by your local host.

Relax and spend a peaceful night in a traditional stilt house.

Inclusions : Private car with driver, English speaking guide, sight-seeing entrance fees, private boat ride in Thac Ba lake, meals (L-Lunch, D- dinner ), double/twin-shared  room at the farmstay

Start your day early at 5:00 A.M. for a stunning sunrise photo opportunity. This serene hour offers a perfect chance to capture the tranquility of Thac Ba Lake from your homestay, often with a fisherman casting his net from a boat against the backdrop of the rising sun and distant mountains.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast with hot tea or coffee at the homestay, we’ll continue on a scenic 4-hour car ride to Nghia Lo town. Here, you’ll savor a delightful lunch of local Vietnamese dishes at a cozy restaurant.

In the afternoon, we’ll take a short drive to picturesque Muong Lo Valley, where you can explore pristine rice fields and charming local villages inhabited by the Muong and Thai ethnic groups. Take a leisurely walk around the area to immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of the locals.

Next, we’ll return to the car and drive to Khau Pha Pass  for breathtaking sunset moments

In the late afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to Mu Cang Chai, where you can check in to your room and are free at your leisure.

Inclusions : Private car with driver, English speaking guide, sight-seeing entrance fees, meals (B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D- dinner ), double/ twin-shared room at the hotel

After enjoying breakfast, we’ll take a short drive to Kim Noi village. From there, we’ll set off on a full-day hike along scenic trails, covering approximately 15 kilometers to reach Lang Hang De village and then continue to Lao Chai village, where you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking rice terraces.

A picnic lunch will be provided along the way, allowing ample time for you to capture stunning photographs of the rice terraces and experience the daily life of the locals in Lao Chai commune.

In the afternoon, meet our driver and transfer us back to our hotel in Mu Cang Chai for a well-deserved rest.

Inclusions : private car with driver, English speaking tourguide, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- breakfast, L-lunch, D- dinner), double/twin-shared room at the hotel

8:00 AM . After breakfast, depart to La Pan Tan, the area famous for its stunning rice terraced fields in Mu Cang Chai.

9:00 AM . Arrive at La Pan Tan and take part in a 7 hike through the beautiful terraced fields & local villages of H’Mong. While hiking, take time photographing the intricate patterns of the rice terraces and interacting with the friendly local farmers.

10:30 AM. Reach Mam Xoi Hills – renown for its unique rice terrace that looks like a distinctive “Xoi” (sticky rice) shape. This is a great area you can take shots of iconic rice terraces, together with local H’Mongs doing their farming there.

11:30 AM. After your exploration, hike down and meet our driver for a short transfer to a local restaurant where you will savor a delicious lunch of authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

14:30 PM –Continue our adventure with a short hike ( 3kms/ returned journey) to Horse Shoe Hills, named for their distinct shape. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to capture breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and rice terraces. This is a fantastic spot for photography, especially during the sunset time.

17:30 PM – Hike down the meeting point & get picked up to your hotel in Mu Cang Chai.

Dinner at a local restaurant & Overnight in Mu Cang Chai

Inclusions : private car with driver, English speaking tourguide, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- breakfast, L-lunch, D- dinner), double/twin-shared room at the hotel

8:00 AM. After breakfast, we say goodbye to Mu Cang Chai & drive to Long Coc Tea Farm. Lunch will be served with Vietnamese dishes in a local restaurant on the way (in Nghia Lo town)
14:30 PM.Arrive at the stunning Long Coc Tea Farm, where you’ll walk along scenic trails surrounded by lush, verdant tea hills. Take the opportunity to capture beautiful photos of the rolling green landscapes and observe farmers working on the tea plantations.

15:30 PM. Continue to Duong Lam Ancient Village, a well-preserved traditional village in the Red River Delta, known for its centuries-old houses and cultural landmarks. This charming village offers a glimpse into rural life in Vietnam’s past, with its unique architecture and historic sites.

17:00 P.M. Upon arrival, enjoy a leisurely exploration of the village. Take time for sightseeing and photography, capturing the charm of ancient houses, temples, and pagodas that reflect the history and culture of the area.

After Duong Lam village, drive to Son Tay town for check-in the hotel. Relax and enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant before settling in for a comfortable overnight stay.

Inclusions : private car with driver, English speaking tourguide, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- breakfast, L-lunch, D- dinner), double/ twin- shared room at the hotel

8:00 AM. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, the car will pick you up & journey to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, a hidden gem on the outskirts of Hanoi. This charming village is known for its centuries-old tradition of making incense, offering visitors an authentic and immersive cultural experience.

9:30 AM . Upon arrival, begin your walking tour through the village. You’ll be taken to various spots within the village where you can observe the intricate process of incense-making firsthand.

Explore the different stages of production, from chopping bamboo and dyeing incense sticks to creating the incense paste and drying the colorful incense bundles under the sun.

Take time to capture stunning photos of the vibrant incense and the artisans at work, while absorbing the sights, sounds, and aromatic scents of the village.

12:00 AM . Take a short drive to a nearby town, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.

14:00 PM. After lunch, continue your journey to Thu Sy Fish Trap Making Village, renowned for its nearly two-century-old craft of bamboo fish trap making. This peaceful village offers a perfect setting for photography, with its traditional houses, skilled artisans, and scenic surroundings.

15:00 PM . Stroll through the village and observe the craftsmanship involved in making bamboo fish traps, a skill passed down through generations. The picturesque village, with its old-fashioned charm, provides a serene backdrop for capturing beautiful photos and enjoying the local way of life.

16:30 PM . As the afternoon winds down, head back to the car for your return trip to Hanoi.

18:00 PM. Arrive back in Hanoi, marking the end of 6 day Vietnam Photography tour. See you again soon for another adventure exploring the hidden gems of Vietnam!

Inclusions : private car with driver, English speaking tourguide, entrance sightseeing fees, meals (B- breakfast, L-lunch)