Spectacular northwest Vietnam, draped in gold. As the rice harvest approaches, the terraces of Lai Chau go from green to gold in a matter of weeks. In many places, the local hill tribes are already cutting the crops, and we’ll capture authentic portraits of rural life. Throw in some colorful tribal markets and the unforgettable hospitality of our local friends, and it adds up to one incredible experience. A unique opportunity to photograph northern Vietnam’s land and people, at a dazzling time of year.

Our Golden Steps – Lai Châu Photo Expedition is the first half of Golden Harvest Tour, a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region. We’ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence.

We travel by spacious and comfortable minibus, with an extra vehicle to transport our luggage between accommodation. At the same time, our close connection to the people of this region, local friendships and many years of experience give us unparalleled access to the authentic life of the ethnic minorities and the area’s most stunning vistas. As working photographers and journalists, with many years of teaching experience, we provide you unique insights and knowledge about Vietnam and photographic storytelling.

This September, we’re traveling deeper than ever into the gold terraced landscapes of Vietnam’s northwest. In the company of ViF photographer leader and our team of local specialists, we’ll be on the hunt for images of both land and people at this dazzling time of year. Far from the tourist trail, we’ll look at all aspects of visual storytelling, ultimately creating an authentic, rich narrative of life in the region.

Northwest Vietnam offers abundant opportunities for landscape photography, and we’ll experiment with different lenses, angles and perspectives to capture the unique atmosphere in these mountains. Most of our landscape shooting will be at sunrise and sunset, as the colors, shadows and mists add drama to the scene. We’ll also be able to shoot with drones (potentially), discovering otherwise unseen sights deep into the valleys around.

The region is a heaven for people photography, and harvest season is the perfect time for images of hill-tribe life. In a small group of five guests, led by our Vietnamese-speaking guide team, we’ll get up close and personal with the friendly locals. We’ll be looking at all types of images involving people, from relationship and group pictures to intimate portraits. We aim to tell stories with our cameras – not only in a series of images, but in a single evocative capture.

We’ll make time for photo reviews every couple of days. With a small group, there’s plenty of time for one-on-one tuition and feedback, and a look at more advanced techniques according to each guest’s interests and experience.

Accommodation: Hanoi Golden Silk Boutique Hotel

Transfer: airport pickup. 

Plan:
Welcome to Vietnam! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the elegant Hotel in the heart of Hanoi’s historic district. Settle in and take a stroll through

the surrounding streets, where the colonial charm of the French Quarter meets the hum of modern Vietnamese life. 

We’ll meet up this evening for a delicious group dinner and look at the adventure ahead.

Overnight train to Lao Cai - Sleeping berth cabin (02 passenger per 01 cabin)

Transport - Minibus 

Plan:
We hit the ground running with our Ultimate Hanoi Photo Tour. Starting at first light, we explore a lesser- known section of Train Street, capturing dramatic scenes as locals begin their day along the tracks. From here, we move to the Thieves Market, a gritty and vibrant maze of vendors selling everything from salvaged electronics to old war relics—perfect for street-style storytelling.

In the afternoon, we visit the Quang Phu Cau incense village, where bright red incense sticks are laid out in stunning patterns for drying. With guidance from your photographer guide, you’ll learn to work with symmetry, color, and natural light for striking compositions.

After an early dinner, we transfer to Hanoi Railway Station and board the Chapa Express—a comfortable overnight train to Lao Cai in private two-berth cabins. Time to rest and dream of northern highlands.

Accommodation: Hoa Lan Bungalow, Sin Suoi Ho

Transport: Minibus

Plan:
We arrive early in Lao Cai and hit the road west, winding through misty valleys and jagged mountains toward Lai Chau province. Along the way, we stop to photograph harvest scenes in the fields—farmers wading through golden rice paddies with sickles in hand—and do impromptu portraits with tribal traders on the roadside in bold traditional dress.

After lunch at Hoa Lan Bungalow, we take a gentle photo walk through Sin Suoi Ho, a beautifully maintained village inhabited by the Hmong. Late afternoon golden light on the rice terraces provides stunning opportunities for wide-angle landscapes, layered storytelling, and authentic portraiture.

Accommodation: Hoa Lan Bungalow, Sin Suoi Ho

Transport: Minibus

Plan:
We rise early to explore the hills surrounding the village. The air is cool and clear, and locals are already at work in the fields—offering beautifully lit scenes perfect for capturing motion, symmetry, and interaction with the landscape. After breakfast and coffee overlooking the valley, we set off for a short trek to a hidden jungle waterfall, ideal for practicing long exposure and detail-focused compositions.

In the afternoon, we continue our exploration of the community, engaging in intimate, slow-paced photography of village life and working on candid portraits and layering subjects into natural frames.

Accommodation: Lan Anh Hotel, Phong Tho
Transport: Minibus

Plan:
We enjoy a relaxed morning to review images or take a final stroll through Sin Suoi Ho before departing for the river town of Phong Tho. Along the way, we’ll stop to photograph rural scenes—fishermen throwing nets, buffalo plowing fields, and families harvesting on the hillsides.

In the late afternoon, we take a photo walk through Phong Tho market, capturing its lively, unfiltered energy—locals bargaining, vendors cooking over open fires, and even the town’s billiards crowd playing under bare bulbs and old posters.

Accommodation: Hoa Lan Hotel
Transport: Minibus

Plan:
This morning, we head to the Pa Tan tribal market, a small but vibrant gathering of Ha Nhi and Thai people, tucked along a riverside road. It’s especially known for its lively pig market, an attractive subject for a focused photo story. You’ll work on environmental portraits, motion, and expressive detail.

After the market, we visit a nearby valley filled with rice paddies, where farmers in conical hats move like brushstrokes across the fields. It’s the perfect setting to shoot symmetry, repetition, and layered depth, with support from your guide on building a cohesive visual series. In the afternoon, we head into the hills for sweeping landscape compositions.

Accommodation: Hoang Nham Luxury Hotel, Lai Chau
Transport: Minibus

Plan:
Sunday means Dao San market, an authentic tribal market nestled in the borderlands. It’s a kaleidoscope of color and culture—Hmong, Ha Nhi, Dzao, and Lu ethnic groups in full regalia, trading, chatting, and sharing food. This is a photographer’s dream for capturing motion, interaction, color theory, and documentary series. We then travel to Lai Chau City, where we’ll have lunch, then an afternoon to review images and relax.

Overnight train to Hanoi - Sleeping cabin (02 passenger per cabin)

Transport: Minibus

Plan:
After seven full days of non-stop photography adventures, today is all about rest and recovery. We'll enjoy a slow morning at the hotel, with time to relax, sip coffee, and begin downloading, organizing, and perhaps reviewing or grouping some of the images captured over the past week.

Late morning is ideal for packing up, getting everything in order, and preparing for check-out.

After lunch, we'll check out of the hotel and begin our journey back to Lào Cai. We’ll arrive at the train station in the evening, where you can enjoy dinner at the lounge before boarding the overnight train.

Once aboard, it's time to settle into your sleeping cabin and rest well after an incredible week of photography.

Arriving in Hanoi in the morning, we will have complimentary airport/hotel drop off. For those who have Departure flight this day, we will arrange Airport drop off. Time to say farewell. 

And for those who book extra day stay in Hanoi today, with the Add-on Departure Stays including Early Check in & full night for 23rd Sept, we will arrange transfer to the hotel.