The Mekong Delta is one of the most fascinating and culturally-rich areas in the world, let alone Vietnam, and it blooms into vivid, miraculous life during the October flooding season. On this 10 day photo adventure, we’ll explore the very best this region has to offer, from Saigonese street photography to awe-inspiring riverside brick factories, from bustling water markets to tranquil mangrove forest, and the unforgettable highlight of the Khmer Ox Racing Festival in An Giang. Our journey takes us out towards the coast, where we’ll spend time photographing Can Gio’s rustic fishing communities. Along the way, we’ll develop a visual story of life in all its variety and color on the mighty Mekong.

This is a premium photographic adventure, and we’ll enjoy the best accommodation available in the region, from stylish bamboo eco-lodges to riverside resorts. We’ll also taste the most delicious cuisine in a part of the world already renowned for its culinary excellence.

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.

We’ll enjoy a range of exciting photographic opportunities on this unique expedition around the Mekong Delta.

Starting out in Ho Chi Minh City – formerly known as Saigon – it’s all about street and documentary, as we explore thriving areas such as Chinatown, the Saigon Railway Village, and the atmospheric local community of ‘The Colony’. We’ll also have our first encounter with the trading waterways leading through District 7, and out into the Greater Mekong. Ho Chi Minh CIty is rapidly developing, and we’ll look to create visual stories that capture this characteristic and dizzying mix of tradition and modernity.

Once we leave the city, we find the cultures of the countryside coming to the fore. Long Xuyen floating market is one of the most colorful and authentic markets of its kind in the Mekong Delta. Traders come from all over the province to sell their wares, from fruits to electrical appliances. We’ll be working on a photographic series about the market, including portraits, relationship shots and details that tell a story.

At the Khmer Ox Racing Festival, we’ll be looking at different ways to photograph an action-packed event. We’ll experiment with different shutter speeds and approaches to composition in order to capture the races. However, it’s also about the spectators and the scene – a perfect opportunity to develop our people photography skills.

Around the epic traditional brick factories of Mang Thit and the fishing communities of Can Gio, we’ll be exploring a variety of photographic styles and techniques, including architectural and drone photography, and the use of color theory.

This region is of course abundant with natural beauty too. In Tra Su Cajuput forest and the bucolic waterways of Long An province, we’ll look at different settings to capture the unique atmosphere of these unforgettable places. Traveling by boat and on foot, we’ll have a close-up encounter with the diverse flora and fauna of the Mekong.

We’ll enjoy photo reviews every couple of days, and set up for an editing and post-processing workshop on our return to Saigon. 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.