Vietnam Portfolios
Bamboo Ferry
There is a bamboo ferry crossing of the Nho Que river between the Meo Vac area and Bao Lac. You will also be moving from Ha Giang to Cao Bang provinces. The road down is steep and made of red clay. It should not be attempted in the rain or when roads are wet. You can...
Nho Que River
The Nho Que river snakes its way along the eastern side of the Ha Giang loop in Meo Vac. Certainly one of the more iconic views of the trip. The boat rides are worth taking. Just the ride down to the river off of the main road can provide some great photo spots. Avoid...
French Fort
Route DT176 from Du Gia towards Mau Due is a great ride. Along the way you will come across the ruins of an old French fortified outpost.
Marble Mountain
Marble Mountain is about halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang. You can take an elevator for a fee or climb the 150 steps to the top. It's not a difficult climb though the steps are uneven. If you approach the area by motorcycle ladies on their scooters will try to heard...
Angel Eye
Angel Eye mountain is a really special spot fairly close to Cao Bang city. There are homestays close by and even a camping operation that you can book online (though if you message them directly it is a bit cheaper). If you choose the glamping stay you may get lucky...
Saigon — Bonus
Some lesser known photography spots.
Ton That Dam Building
A really interesting building with everything an urban archeologist could ask for. Complete with grit, graffiti, old spiral staircase and even an all dressed up speakeasy bar -- SnuffBox. It's a good place to go during the mid-day harsh light as you are indoors but...
Tan Dinh Church
Tan Dinh, "The Pink Church" is a fixture for the Instagram crowd. The hop-on/hop-off bus will stop here. Tan Dinh Church Address: 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hours: Daily 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Mass times vary Standing...
Musulman Mosque
Musulman Mosque 101 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City This is a bit of a surprise for many to find in the heart of Saigon. In District 1 near the Sheraton hotel it has many quiet and unique spots to photograph. They open very early and a nice stop...
Mui Ne
Mui Ne is a coastal resort town within easy reach from Saigon by bus or train. Famous for the White and Red sand dunes it is a meccas for kite surfers. Plenty of nice resorts and western food if you are looking for a change from local fare.[foogallery...
Museum of Fine Art
The Museum of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City stands as a reflection of Vietnam's rich artistic heritage, housed in a striking yellow colonial-era mansion at 97A Pho Duc Chinh Street, District 1. Built in 1929, the building exemplifies the distinctive French colonial...
Japan Town
Japan Town in Ho Chi Minh City, centered around Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, offers photographers a unique blend of Japanese and Vietnamese urban culture. This compact neighborhood, spanning roughly 4-5 blocks, transforms from a lively business district during...
Vinh Hy
Vinh Hy is just south of Camh Ranh and is characterised by it's semi-circular harbor. A good place to stay and explore the Camh Lap peninsula or Hang Rai.
Opera House
The Saigon Opera House, officially known as the Municipal Theatre of Ho Chi Minh City, stands as one of the most elegant colonial landmarks in Vietnam at 7 Lam Son Square, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1895 and 1897 under the supervision of French...
Post Office
The Saigon Central Post Office stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most iconic landmarks at 2 Công xã Paris, District 1. Operating daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, this historic building remains both a functioning post office and a major tourist attraction. Constructed...
Binh Thanh Japan Town
District 1 has a large Japan Town with many restaurants, shops, and bars servicing Japanese clientele. But across the canal from the Zoo in Binh Thanh is a second smaller Japanese area.
Nam Du Island
Nam Du Island is serviced by ferries from Rach Gia in the southern Mekong. It is a lovely seldom visited island. There are a number of smaller islands that you can visit on daily tour boats. Don't expect much for infrastructure with no ATM and just a few seafood...
Tuyen Quang Hydroelectric Reservoir
The ride from the Ha Giang or Hoang Su Phi area will take you past some lovely countryside and parts of Tuyen Quang. A nice alternate route to taking DT279 the entire way is to take DT279 to DT188. On DT188 you will pass the Chiem Hoa Hydropower plant. The dam has...
Tu Le
Tu Le is another rice growing area near Mu Cang Chai. It's a bit closer to Hanoi so you can get there in one day if you leave early. Most of the rice fields here are flatter and they grow a special sticky rice. The rice harvest tends to be a bit earlier here with 15...
Mu Cang Chai
When you see images of terraced rice fields in Vietnam, most likely it is an image from Mu Cang Chai. Lots of lovely Hmong homestays to add some local life to your images. The best time to visit is harvest time when the summer rains have ended and the rice is a golden...
Sa Pa
Sa Pa is a very popular tourist destination with trekkers and photographers. It covers quite a large area and for landscape photographers it is best to stay anywhere BUT Sa Pa city which is a bit of a tourist trap.
Phong Nam
Phong Nam is an amazing valley with a winding river and limestone Karst mountains. Foreigners are required to get a special permit to stay overnight. These are easily sourced, same day, in Cao Bang city.
Phong Nha
Phong Nha is the spelunking capital of Vietnam -- perhaps the world. It has the largest cave system known in Son Doong. But for those who can not afford the $3000+ fee and years long wait list, there are many other caves to explore. There are caves for all abilities...
Ke Ga
A small fishing community on the South Central Coast. Ke Ga is 1 hr. south of Phan Thiet and 1.5 north of Vung Tau. It is most famous for the lighthouse and the many dragon fruit farms. There are a number of homestays and resorts in the area with a new highway putting...
Hoang Su Phi
This is the most rugged area in Ha Giang province. The roads are not as well maintained, the grades steeper. But in September and October during the rice harvest it is amazing. A tie with Mu Cang Chai for the most impressive terraced rice fields without so many...
Countryside Cao Bang
An under appreciated mountainous province in the northeast. Some of the most pastoral views can be found in the countryside. Many come to Cao Bang, go to the Ban Gioc falls, then leave. A night or two does not do it justice.
Yen Bai
Yen Bai is both a province and city name. A rural area in the Northwest best known for the rice fields in Mu Cang Chai. The city area can be a good halfway point for both Sa Pa and Ha Giang.
Bui Vien
Bui Vien is sometimes called walking street. It is the entertainment center, the backpacker area and at least in parts, a red-light district. Drugs are not much of a problem though you will see "balloons" being used. Prostitution is a part of the scene with many...
Can Tho Floating Market
SInce Covid, the floating market in Can Tho is quite a bit less active. Still a worthwhile early morning photo opportunity. The canals around the market also have some good environmental portrait opportunities.
Sa Ky Port
To catch the ferry to Ly Son island you go to the Sa Ky port. If you arrive late and need an overnight stay there is a lovely beach area with hotels and restaurants across the river. It is a good alternative to the somewhat gritty port town.[foogallery...
People’s Committee
At the very top of Nguyen Hue walking street is the Saigon People's Committee building. Often referred to as City Hall it is a lovely bit of architecture. It is located at 86 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Built between 1902 and 1908 during the...
Da Dia
Da Dia is a basalt rock formation much like the famous one in Ireland. It is located south of Quy Nhon.
Ba Be Lake
Ba Be lake is the largest natural lake in Vietnam. It is a great halfway point between Hanoi and Ha Giang. Or a southern route between Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The most popular area to stay in is Pac Ngoi village. There are lots of nice homestays in this village but...
Ben Thanh Market
Ben Thanh Market stands as one of Ho Chi Minh City's most iconic landmarks, located at Le Loi Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Operating from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily, with the night market running from 6:00 PM to 10:30 PM, this historic marketplace...
Y Ty
The northernmost part of Sa Pa, on the border with China. Foreigners need a permit to overnight in this region.
Cao Bang to Bao Lac
When traveling between the Ha Giang Loop and Cao Bang most people spend a night in Bao Lac. Between Bao Lac and Cao Bang, the most direct route is the scenic QL34. The better option is the spectacular Me Pia Pass along the border with China. This route also brings you...
Champa Towers
Between Mui Ne and Hue are not only some of the most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, you also have the remains of the Champa Kingdom. The Cham people ruled over this 1000 KM stretch from the 1st to the 15th centuries.
Ban Gioc Waterfalls
Just a few hours from Cao Bang along a magical road is Ban Gioc. The waterfalls are the border with 1/2 in China and 1/2 in Vietnam. Ban Gioc is the forth largest waterfall in the world along a national border. Located in the Trung Khan district of Cao Bang it a...
Bamboo Ferry Nho Que River Crossing
Between Meo Vac and Bao Lac there is a river crossing through a gorgeous valley on a bamboo ferry. By taking the northern route from Cao Bang to Ha Giang you will pass by this area. The steep approach and exit require dry weather or strong off-road...
Meo Vac Skywalk
I was fortunate to be able to explore the Meo Vac skywalk at dawn just after Covid reopening -- an ethereal experience. The skywalk is a narrow trail that is mostly paved and serves as a way for people to move among the villages and homesteads in this mountainous...
Du Gia French Fort
Video -- A derelict French fort from their occupation in the late 19th century.
Ha Giang to Lung Cu
Video -- The first leg of the Ha Giang loop. This is typically a 2-3 journey.
Afternoon Tea — Lai Chau
Video -- I have seen many terraced rice fields, but i wasn't prepared for the stunning terraced tea plantations in Lai Chau on the way to Sapa.
Pu Luong Farm Road
Video -- Exploring back-roads en-route to Pu Luong I came across this lovely farm & cattle trail. A bit slippery and steep in some sections compelled me to go slow and enjoy the surroundings.
HCM Road West
Video -- A ride into the remote jungle between Khe Sanh and Phong Nha. One of the last pristine mountain forest roads available.
Ke Ga
Video -- Home of Kega Lighthouse. In Binh Thuan province with Phan Thiet to the north and La Gi to the south. A small gritty fishing town with some tourist activity for the lighthouse. It's my hometown these days so I have explored many of the nooks and...
Da Lat
Video -- Riding among the coffee plantations and pine forests.
Mu Cang Chai — Video
Video -- Annually embedded with a Hmong family, I always enjoy Mu Cang Chai. Best in May & June during water pouring season or September and October for the harvest period. The harvest time changes a bit year to year, but like Hoang Su Phi it is at least a month...
The Road East of the Long Mountains
Video -- Between the HCM road and route 1 is the central route from Da Lat to Hanoi. It rounds to the east of a large mountain chain through a very quiet agricultural area. Very little traffic, terrific view; what more can you ask for.
Cho Lon (Chinatown)
Chinatown -- Cho Lon Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh City's historic Chinatown district, is an amazing fusion Vietnamese and Chinese cultura, offering photographers an authentic glimpse into daily life across its dynamic streets and ancient temples and pagodas. The neighborhood...