Top Vietnam Destinations for Photographers

Vietnam boasts beautiful coastlines, stunning mountains, impressive cities and flawless national parks, all of which provide visitors with plenty to see and do. As well as a varied culture and a whole host of traditional and modern influences from the country’s past and present residents, Vietnam is also the perfect place to find visual dramatics. Perfect for the amateur or expert photographer, the country offers simply breath-taking and often surreal views, of which it’s difficult not to take that perfect photo.

Halong Bay
One of the natural wonders of the world, Halong Bay is truly stunning and reaches across 1,500 sq miles of sea. Inside the beautiful maze of limestone lie 3,000 islands, almost all of which are uninhabited. The strangely shaped rock sculptures, caves and grottoes create the perfect focus or backdrop for photographs, offering sometimes unimaginable scenery. Despite its beauty, Halong Bay isn’t the ideal situation for setting up a camera due to the difficulty you’ll face in reaching many of the least explored areas. Make sure you secure your camera lens insurance before you arrive; there’s no rescuing your equipment if it finds its way into the beautifully clear waters of the bay.

Mai Chau – Pu Luong

Known for its diverse flora and spectacular scenery, Pu Luong is one of nature reserves located in Quan Hoa and Ba Thuoc districts in north-western of Thanh Hoa Province. The Nature Reserve lies in between two parallel mountain ridges and is divided by a valley, which is the settlement of ethnic Muong and Thai people. It is blessed with authentic culture, marvellous limestone landscape, and magnificent rice terraces.

Hoi An

This ancient town is within the most picturesque places in Vietnam. Its authentic architecture and oriental vibe are great sources of inspiration for photographers to be creative and capture stunning photos. The city is decorated with thousands of colourful lanterns. Besides, Hoi An is also a favourite place for couples to shoot their wedding photos.

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

The two most popular cities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are both bursting with history and culture and lie at opposite ends of the country, making them the ideal start and end to your photography tour. Previously named Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is ideal for those looking to capture a bustling atmosphere and busy streets. Market stalls take up much of the space and make for vibrant and varied photographs.  

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and lies on the banks of the Song Hong or the Red River. Hanoi still holds many French influences and is often referred to as Paris of the Orient. The Old Quarter of the city is possibly the best location for avid travel photographers, providing charming narrow streets and local goods that beg to be captured.

The Mekong Delta

The southern rice bowl of Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is a fertile and beautiful area covered with rice fields and tributaries of the Mekong River. Originating in Tibet, the river stretches across 2,600 miles and passes through China, Laos and Cambodia on its way to Vietnam. The Delta provides photographers with the perfect backdrop and beautiful scenic photography thanks to the colourful display of rural life, including floating markets, vegetation and a number of island farms. Boat trips through the mangrove forests and the wildlife-filled national parks teaming with birds provide ideal photo opportunities and the perfect chance to capture the natural beauty of Vietnam.

Con Dao Islands

Isolated from mainland Vietnam, the Con Dao Islands are also one of the most popular attractions in the country despite being set away from the main coastline. The destination’s striking natural beauty is hugely popular amongst tourists, and the most popular of the 15 islands is Con Son. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, Con Son also provides photographers with scenic bays and even coral reefs, so those with the right equipment can capture images of the hidden world around this already popular island.

Con Son Island covers a total land area of around 20 sq. km and provides wildlife photographers with a huge number of opportunities. Part of Con Dao National Park, the area is protected for the sea turtle nesting grounds, which are a flurry of activity during the nesting season between May and November. Other interesting sea life that may catch the eye of an avid photographer includes the dugong, which is a rarely seen marine mammal that shares its family with the manatee. With their numbers steadily declining, this is the ideal location to capture their graceful movements on camera.

What are you waiting for? Take your camera and show us your photos!