Vietnam Photo Tour ~ May 5-15th, 2024
(10 nights): $6,999. Double Occupancy/Limit: 8
There are still a few spots open for this fantastic photo opportunity to Vietnam. My very talented local guide (English speaking), will be joining our group once again as we explore even more of what Vietnam has to offer; he is an award winning photographer who was born in Vietnam and shares his love and knowledge of his country freely. This third trip to Vietnam will also include a chance to photograph the endangered Red-shanked doucs .
*This trip will be led by Denise Ippolito and/or Donna Bourdon and my Vietnam guide.
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Itinerary
Day 1 —May 5th
Saigon – arrival [-/-/d]
Meet up with our professional photo guide on arrival in Saigon / Tan Son Nhat International airport, transfer to hotel for check in.
Group Transfer Time 12 :00Noon $20.00 transfer fee pp if not part of the group transfer at noon.
Note: Check-in time: 14:00 pm
Enjoy free time. Welcome dinner at hotel.
(If time permits, we will photograph a traffic jam in Saigon city)
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Day 2
Saigon full day city tour [b/l/d]
Hotel breakfast
We’ll photograph one of the largest post office’s in Indochina in the early morning, A Catholic church that was built by the French in the 18th century in Saigon, Then, we will photograph monks and nuns at the university where they both study and have lunch together in Binh Chanh District.
Back to Saigon center to have lunch at the local restaurant.
At 14:00pm, we’ll photograph the monks and the Buddhist followers to pray inside the pagoda in Saigon. Next, we’ll photograph one of the traffic jams in Saigon before having dinner at the BATALIS restaurant.
After dinner, our guide will take us back to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon
Day 3
Saigon – Hue [b/l/d]
Breakfast boxes will be arranged by the hotel in Saigon
Leave Saigon for Hue with early morning flight.
Flight: TBA [approx. 06:15-07:40]
Arrive in Hue city and transfer to hotel for check-in, before going to shoot the models inside the Imperial Citadel.
Note: Check-in time: 14:00 pm
Lunch at local restaurant.
If time permits, we can photograph the models at the Tu Duc Tomb.
After shooting, dinner will be served at a local restaurant before coming back the hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Hue
Day 4
Hue - Danang [b/l/d]
Hotel breakfast
Check out to leave Hue for Da Nang by bus.
Shoot the fishermen with the big nets on their small boats.
Depart from Hue for Danang via the picturesque Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds) moving through many pretty red-tiled villages and enjoying a spectacular view of the sea and the sky.
We will see big fishing nets on the way.
On arrival in Da Nang, our lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Da Nang city before checking into the hotel.
We will photograph the Red-shanked douc monkeys on Son Tra Island in the afternoon.
Dinner at a local restaurant in Danang city before coming back the hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Danang city
Day 5
Danang – Hoi An [b/l/d]
Hotel breakfast
We will once again, photograph the Red-shanked douc monkeys on Son Tra island. After shooting, You are going to leave Da Nang for Hoi An-an old town by bus, just takes 1 hour. (Check-out time at noon: 12:00)
On arrival in Hoi An, we are going to have lunch at the DAO TIEN restaurant before checking into the hotel. (Check-in time: 14:00 pm)
After check in and a short rest at the hotel. We will take a boat trip on Thu Bon river for shooting fisherman with big nets at the sunset in the late afternoon
Back to Hoi An center to photograph lanterns which the local people make and sell.
Dinner will be at the TAM TAM CAFE restaurant, then back to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 6
Hoi An - time at leisure [b/l/d]
Hotel breakfast
This time is free for you to discover the ancient town on your own.
(No vehicle, no tour).
Lunch and Dinner at hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 7
Hoi an – Danang – Hanoi [b/l/d]
Hotel breakfast
Early morning photo shoot at the colorful, local market and will be back to the hotel for breakfast. And visit the local merchant house were built more than 200 years ago. The Chinese temple where the first Chinese ancestor arrived in Vietnam.
Free time at the hotel to pack up your stuff before going to the airport in Da Nang for our afternoon flight to Saigon (the flight takes 1 hour but we must be at the airport 2 hours in advance). (Check-out time at noon: 12:00)
Lunch at local restaurant in Hoi An then proceed to the airport.
Flight: TBA [approx. 17:15-18:35]
On arrival in Hanoi city, you will be picked up and transferred to a local restaurant for dinner before check in. (Check-in time: 14:00 pm)
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi—
Day 8
Lao Cai – Sapa – Ban Ho – Nam xai – Sapa [b/l/d]
Arrive in Lao Cai station, proceed to Sapa town for hotel breakfast.
Note: Check-in time: 14:00 pm
After breakfast, leave the hotel for Ban Ho & Nam Xai Village where you can see the Xa Pho people who wear traditional dresses and explore their houses and village.
Take time to admire the photogenic landscape, rice terraces on the way.
Come-back to Sapa center for lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, rest at the hotel before having dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 9
Sapa – Ban xeo - Muong hum – Y ty – Alu village – Lao cai – Night train to Hanoi [b/l/d]
Early morning departure/ breakfast boxes to go.
We will leave the hotel for Muong Hum where we will see large rice terraces, this takes about 2 hours. Arrive there and spend some time shooting the rice terraces at the top of the valley.
Take lunch boxes with us from the hotel. Because there are no restaurants along the way.
Arrive in Lao Cai town to have Day-use with 6 hour stay and dinner at hotel in Lao Cai.
Then we'll leave Lao Cai town for boarding on the night train to Hanoi, departure around 20:55 hrs.
Overnight on Livitran train [approx. 20:55-04:35]
Day 10
Hanoi – Tho ha village & city tour [b/l/d]
04:35 am -Early arrival in Hanoi and drive straight to local restaurant for breakfast.
After breakfast, leave Hanoi for Tho Ha village to see the local people make rice paper.
Come back the Hanoi central for lunch.
After lunch, take pictures of the bamboo fishing basket village in Hung Yen province.
Get back to Hanoi for a rest before having dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi
Day 11 —May 15th
Hanoi - departure [b/-/-]
Hotel breakfast
Free time at leisure until check out. Check-out time is at noon.
Transfer to Noi Bai International airport for departure flight home or to your next destination.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• Accommodation with meals as outlined-(for example-[B/L/D]= breakfast,lunch,dinner)
• Domestic air tickets
• Transfers and tours by minibus or coach with English speaking local guide (professional photo guide)
• Night train (if we use one): Hanoi – Lao Cai, private cabin- 2 per cabin
• All entrance fees for sightseeing and visits as mentioned itinerary
• Service charges, room tax and handling fee
• Model fees
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
• International airfare to/from Vietnam
• Any meal other than listed above. All meals are pre-planned; please let us know your dietary restrictions.
• Vietnamese visa
• Personal insurance
• ALL beverages, participants will need to bring a refillable water bottle as single use water bottles are not provided as they are banned.
• Early check-in or late check-outs
• Tip for guide and drivers-- approximately $350pp
* Laundry service, it is available in Hoi An and is relatively inexpensive.
Itinerary subject to change due to local conditions, etc…
Single Supplement:
Single supplements are available for the entire trip (except for the one night on the train ride) and will be available on a first come first served basis. Single supplements must be paid in full at time of registration. Single supplement charge: $1400.00
Deposit Info:
A $2000.00 deposit is required to hold your spot for this tour. All final payments should be made via check made out to "Denise Ippolito LLC". Wire transfers accepted from overseas participants and participant is responsible for all transaction fees on both sides. All tour deposits are non -refundable, please check your schedule closely before making your deposit. Credit cards will only be accepted for deposit payment only. All other payments must be made by check or wire transfer.
Final payment due by July 15, 2023
Trip insurance is highly recommended for all trips. A detailed PDF file will be sent to all participants once we get our entire group together. Please do not purchase airfare until I let you know that the trip is a go.
*Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increase.
In case there should be a major change (5% or above) in the exchange rates between the Vietnam Dong and the USD, (presently around VND 22,000 per USD), the tour company reserves the right to correct quotations in line with the revised value of the USD.
