Exploring Vietnam

IMAGINE visiting a village with a hundred year old tradition of making incense sticks –the colour and the smell , the patterns made by encasing the workers in an immense sea of red.

Imagine being less than a mile from the Chinese border photographing valleys of rice terraces encased by tall mountain ranges and luminescent clouds.

Everyday striving to capture the great morning light, meeting the village people and seeing how their daily lives unfold amongst the tea plantations and mountainous escapements.

This is an adventure where we get off the beaten track and explore the real essence of Vietnam and its peoples and landscapes. We won’t be visiting tourist spots such as Ha Long Bay – we will leave you to visit that in your own time.

Our mission is to take you to places you might not discover as a sole traveller.

Our  itinerary is 8 days in the North and 4 days in the Central District of Hue and Hoi An an UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The Central District is full of coastal activity, extremely beautiful villages and daily life. Here we will explore the ancient town of Hoi An and its surrounding areas of mountains, ancient Chinese temples , wooden shophouses, French colonial architecture and meandering canals which wrap themselves throughout the township.

HIGHLIGHTS

• An off the beaten track itinerary where you will visit the most stunning locations in North Vietnam and around Hoi An in central Vietnam.
• Visit unique ethnic minority markets located in gorgeous villages
• Take a walk through beautiful Ethnic minority villages and capture the people’s daily lives
• See the most stunning rice terraces in North Vietnam for landscape photography
•  Witness the ethnic tribes working in the fields around rice harvest time
• Enjoy amazing local food and more
• Travel with an expert photography instructor living in Vietnam who knows the area
• Visit Hoi An old town in central Vietnam and capture its beauty
• Amazing landscape and people photography opportunities in the lagoons located between Hoi An and Hue

WORKSHOP FORMAT

DATE: 10 to 23 August 2023

LOCATION: North and Central Vietnam

GROUP SIZE: 4 Min Max 10

PREREQUISITES: To join this workshop you should have basic camera handling, operations and processing skills.  If you’re not sure if that’s you, please email us: info@theapertureclub.com.au.

TOUR INVESTMENT: $7890 per person (Deposit $1000 and full payment required 6 weeks prior to the tour.) If minimum quota is not reached your deposit or paid costs will be fully refunded.

GETTING THERE

We start off our tour in Hanoi in the north of Vietnam. Flights run directly here depending on the airline or into  Ho Chi Minh City. Then catch a transfer to Hanoi.

ACCOMMODATION: After a day of shooting and processing, unwind in your own private room.  You will be staying in a motel or guest house whilst in the northern territories. Accomodation is very comfortable with your own bathroom amenities.

A TYPICAL DAY

Days  are long and relaxed.  On a typical day we will be up early for  our early morning photo shoot then back to enjoy our breakfast and to chat about the day.

Once we arrive on a location you will have plenty of time to arrange yourself, shoot, explore and receive individual guidance from one of your 3 tutors.  Morning tea in the field will keep us going until late morning when we return to the house for lunch and a rest.

After lunch we will reconvene for a tuition session and a valuable opportunity to look through our images as a group.

In the afternoon, feeling refreshed after our rest, we will wander out to experience the last rays of the golden hour.  We will return home under starry skies for dinner, evening discussions and valuable group critique sessions.

All of the shoots are optional and locations are open to discussion based on the conditions and the flow of our group.  Our itinerary will vary depending on the light and the group – when the light is perfect we might even pack our morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch and spend the whole day in the field.

WALKING AND WEATHER

This is a gentle trip, which requires an average level of fitness.  There will be walking too and from some of the shooting locations, occasionally on uneven surfaces with steps and inclines.  If you have any doubts about your ability, please let us know so we can work with you and discuss this..

When you book you will receive a detailed packing list to help you plan for your trip.

MEALS

All your meals will be supplied.

If you have any dietary needs, please let us know in advance.

TRANSPORT

Included is all transport in the form of mini bus or similar and includes 1 internal flight from Hanoi to Hoi An.

Everyone will need to make their way to the meeting point. We are happy to help you with this if needed.

WHAT TO BRING

There are a few key things that you will need to get the most out of the week:

• • Camera equipment
  • Tripod
  • Laptop with latest Adobe Lightroom software (recommended)
  • Wet weather clothing
  • Clothing for cold temperatures
  • Travel and medical insurance + Ambulance cover for duration of tour
  • Day pack/camera pack

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• • • All your accommodation
    • 14 Nights  13 days shooting and learning – Tour officially starts 11 Aug and finishes night of 23rd Aug.
    • All breakfasts, lunches and dinners plus nutritious snacks. Please note Alcohol and extra coffee shop coffees are not included.
    • Qualified, experienced guide, drivers, and 3 photography tutors
    • One-on-one instruction and guidance.
    • Plenty of time to shoot at each location.
    • Calm, relaxing atmosphere, encouraging engagement and connection with the landscape
    • Participate in group lessons and critique sessions  so that you can apply new skills and techniques to your practice the next day
    • Gain valuable insights into computer processing software that will make your photos sing
    • Suitable for all levels from absolute beginners to professionals

NOT INCLUDED

• • • Miscellaneous drinks and alcoholic beverages
    • Travel insurance (required).
    • Flights to and from Vietnam
    • We look forward to welcoming you on our photography workshop very soon.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sharon

Aperture Club

Contacts:

Sharon: 0411 370 577

Email: sharon@theapertureclub.com.au

Vietnam Workshop Image Gallery