The noon ceremony, attended by priests inside the great Cao Dai temple. Tay Ninh, VN
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Concentration of small boats at the Cai Rang Floating market. Can Tho, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Transporting fruit on a small boat. Can Tho, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Old street. Hoi An, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Ngo Mon (noon) Gate illuminated at night. Hue, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Row of statues in Khai Dinh Mausoleum - Red doors of the temple inside Minh Mang Mausoleum. Hue, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Evening at Lang Co. Central Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Children playing in Hoan Kiem Lake. Hanoi, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Playing with the water buffalo. Sapa, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Flower Hmong schoolchildren. Bac Ha, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Dried terraced hills and village. Bac Ha, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Stone Tablets engraved with laureate mandarin names in the Temple of Literature. Hanoi, VN
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Enjoying the freshness of the night during a cyclo ride. Ho Chi Minh CIty, VN City
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Rock formation standing among the islands. Halong Bay, Vietnam
An image by Quang-Tuan Luong
Do you love taking photographs? Is one of your favorite parts of a vacation capturing moments you can savor forever when you return home? Then Insiders Asia is happy to offer a tour just for you: Classic Vietnam in Focus, a 12-day photo journey through Vietnam led by the noted photographer Quang-Tuan Luong (terragalleria.com). Tuan has an intimate knowledge of Vietnam and an understanding of its uniquely beautiful landscape. He has spent months in Vietnam scouting photography locations on six different visits.
Like all Insiders Asia tours, you’ll see the highlights of each destination, experiencing each city’s culture, landscape and cuisine both through guided tours and unstructured time. You will travel in luxury, staying at hotels that are often rated 4 and 5 stars in each city. The difference? In our Classic Vietnam in Focus, the itinerary and timing have been carefully designed to maximize your photographic opportunities, placing you at the best time of the day on location to capture great images of all the essential sights in Vietnam. In addition to experiencing the beauty of Vietnam’s varied landscapes and scenes, you’ll have a photography teacher on hand should you need photographic tips or advice. He will conduct evening slide-shows and make sure everyone has access to him for reviews of their photos individually during evening sessions as well as unstructured daytime periods.
This tour will not be cancelled.
Meet on arrival at Saigon/Tan Son Nhut Int. Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Unpack. Relax and start to explore Vietnam’s most vibrant city. Meet your tour director and other guests at the Welcome Dinner tonight.
Your Vietnam photo tour begins this morning as you join QT Luong to discover a unique and authentic Saigon. Then travel 40 miles west to Tay Ninh, the craddle of Caodaism, to participate in the spectacular Noon Ceremony at the uniquely Vietnamese Cao Dai Holy See. Return to Saigon in time to photograph at dusk a beautifully illuminated, active pagoda with an impressive tower -- which is totally unknown to tourists.
Transfer to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta with a visit to Thien Hau Pagoda in Cho Lon (Chinatown) en route. Learn how to navigate small canals on a sampan in Vinh Long. Arrrive late this afternoon to Can Tho, capital of the Mekong Delta region.
Explore Cai Rang floating market on private boat at daybreak. Transfer to Saigon and board a short flight to Da Nang. Your visit to Hoi An, one of the most enchanting towns in Vietnam, takes place during the Lantern Festival, when the town turns off its street lamps and fluorescent lights, leaving the Old Quarter bathed in the warm glow of colorful paper lanterns.
Sunrise excursion to My Son, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to explore the ruins of the ancient Champa Empire which ruled South and Central Vietnam until 17th century. After lunch at Brother's cafe in Hoi An, continue your guided visit to this quaint medieval town.
Early photo shoot at the fish market and visit to lantern workshop. Afternoon transfer to Lang Co. Enjoy the scenic drive between Da Nang and Lang Co through the Hai Van Pass with a visit to the Marble Mountain en route. It’s known as one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world, during which we will stop at our leisure to enjoy the scenery. Arrive to Lang Co in time to enjoy the sunset.
Capture gorgeous images of Lang Co at sunrise and pay a visit to the local villagers before continuing with our scenic drive to Hue. Upon arrival, begin our visits to the Citadel in the old city, the Flag Towel, Ngo Mon (Noon gate) and the Forbidden City, the former home of the Royal family before 1945.
Set out on a boat trip along the Perfume River to see Hue's oldest pagoda, Thien Mu. Then journey to the palatial royal tombs of Minh Mang and Tu Duc. We will also explore the seldom-visited Thanh Toan Bridge and its surrounding authentic countryside.
Morning flight to Hanoi. Visits include: Old Quarter, Temple of Literature. Dinner followed by the Water Puppet Show. You’ll get to see the artists perform behind the stage.
Arrive to Ha Long and embark on Indochina Sails boat. Cruise the bay. Enjoy the stunning sunset on the bay. Overnight on boat.
Enjoy sunrise on the bay and morning cruising. Before leaving Ha Long, marvel at a sweeping view of the bay when you climb up on the Bai Tho mountain. Return to Hanoi late afternoon. Tonight, join our Farewell Dinner, say goodbye to your fellow photographers and exchange stories about your amazing journey to Vietnam.
Explore Hanoi or souvenir shop on your own until transfer to Noi Bai Int. Airport for your departing flight to the US. Alternatively, you’re welcome to join QT Luong for a further informal exploration of the city. If Sapa is your next destination you will board the Victoria Express train to Laocai tonight.
October 25, 2012
$2990 (land)
$4190 air incl. (from West Coast: SFO & LAX)
Single suppl. $790
Non-photo participants: $2490
- Service of Quang-Tuan Luong & local guides
- Regional flights
- Accommodations with tax and service charges
- All meals except 4 dinners
- Sightseeing as noted in itinerary & entrance fees to sites and museums
- Airport transfers for participants arriving Day 1 & departing Day 12
- Surface transportation in air conditioned vehicles
- Visa provision services
- Luggage handling (two pieces of luggage per person)
- International (trans-Pacific) airfare
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Laundry
- Excess baggage charges
- Beverages at group meals
- Travel insurance (reccomended)
For Classic Vietnam in Focus
- At time of reservation: $300 (non-refundable)
- 120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
- 60 days prior to departure: Balance
All deposits are non-refundable. Refunds of final payment will be honored as follow:
- 61-90 days prior to departure: 75% refund
- 45-60 days prior to departure: 50% refund
- 44 days or less to departure: No refund
In the event Insiders Asia cancels the tour, a full refund (deposits & final payment) will be honored. We recommend travel insurance.
This tour will not be cancelled.
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Quang-Tuan Luong is a full-time freelance nature and travel photographer from San Jose, California. Although his experiences have taken him around the world, he is particularly attracted to the countries of South-East Asia, all of which he has visited. He has an extensive knowledge of photography and all its artistic, technical, and business aspects.
Dr. John and Thelma Quinn
Long Beach, CA
It is really difficult to say which part was the best. Each section, North, Central and South, has its own areas of beauty and interest.
This is a trip that we recommend to everyone."
of Berkeley
We in the West are so used to thinking of Vietnam in relation to iconic images of war. This trip showed me how incredibly beautiful and diverse the country is, and let me take home with me my own personal snapshots of the country and people: The still river in Hoi An at night, illuminated by colored lanterns... strolling down the stately tree-lined streets of Hanoi on my way to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's oldest university... swimming in the clear, warm waters of China Beach... eating fantastic sea-food while cruising in a boat in Ha Long Bay...
chatting with garrulous shopkeepers in Saigon...
I have to admit that one of the most relaxing times of my last trip was cruising on the Halong Bay. Another moment for me was riding in the bus from Hoi An to Hue. While it was getting dark outside, listening to the driver's cassette player and we were climbing the Hai Van pass, and I thought there isn't another place I'd rather be right now. And I tried to feel every part of the moment so I could have the memory for a lifetime.”
