VIETNAM IN FOCUS
Northwest Vietnam Adventure V I E T N A M I N F O C U S
P H OTO TO U R Swww.vietnaminfocus.com
[email protected]
Day 1 Hanoi - Thung Nai (130km) We ride early out of Hanoi,
hitting the mountains outside Hoa Binh by mid-morning. At Thung
Nai, we take a boat ride across Song Da Lake to our island homestay
in the middle of the vast lake. After lunch, we have a half-day
trip around the lake by longboat, with swimming. Overview of
photography essentials, and the 3 picture story. Overnight at our
Muong minority homestay.
Day 2 Thung Nai - Moc Chau / Ba Doi Village (120km) In the
morning we explore the colourful Muong ethnic minority market at
Thung Nai, before heading further out west to Moc Chau, northern
Vietnams agricultural heartland. We ride through lush tea
plantations and cherry orchards, and see beekeepers at work at
their hives. Focus on landscape photography. We arrive at our Black
Thai minority homestay in Ban Doi village at lunchtime, and have
the afternoon to review photos from the comfort of our
hammocks.
Day 3 Moc Chau We have a full day to explore stunning Ban Doi
and the surrounding villages, with trekking to Hang Tien cave and
waterfall. We work on a 3 picture story of Black Thai village life,
looking in detail at some of this fascinating minoritys unique
traditions. Overnight at the homestay.
Day 4 Moc Chau - Nghia Lo (165km) The road to Nghia Lo takes us
deep into the mountains, across many clattering bamboo bridges and
remote passes. Along the way, we encounter people of the Thai,
Hmong and Tay minorities. Today we look at more advanced forms of
landscape photography, including HDR (High Dynamic Range).
Overnight at our hotel in Nghia Lo.
Day 5 Nghia Lo - Mu Cang Chai (100km) Today is a short ride, but
perhaps the most spectacular of the trip, taking us among the
stunning rice steps of Mu Cang Chai. We have plenty of time for
incredible landscape shots and portraits along the winding way,
practicing the skills we have developed so far. Overnight at our
Tay minority homestay in Mu Cang Chai.
VIETNAM IN FOCUS
Day 6 Mu Cang Chai We spend the day exploring the stilt house
villages and river valleys surrounding beautiful Mu Cang Chai. Its
remoteness means the region remains a hidden gem, barely known to
foreign and even Vietnamese travellers. In the afternoon, we have
time for photo editing back at base. Overnight at our homestay.
Day 7 Mu Cang Chai - Sapa (155km) Another spectacular days ride
through mist-covered mountains takes us up to Lao Cai province. We
drop into Sapa via the tough back mountain road the last of the
trip - and overnight at our hotel in town.
Day 8 Sapa / Night train to Hanoi We have the morning to chill
in Sapa, with a visit to Saturdays bustling Black Hmong market, and
a hot stone massage for those road-weary limbs. We finish selecting
and editing our photo stories from the trip, before heading down to
Lao Cai in the afternoon for our train back to Hanoi.
Day 9 Return to Hanoi early morning
