Vietnam: Backroads & Byways 2024

Workshop Information Package

Contents:

I. General Information

II. To Do Checklist

III. Daily Itinerary

IV. FAQ’s

Vietnam Backroads & Byways

General Information

Workshop Dates:  Sep 22 – Oct 06, 2024

WELCOME!

Thanks again for joining our 2024 Vietnam: Backroads & Byways Photography Workshop. I can’t wait to share the amazing scenery and fascinating cultures of northern Vietnam with you. But first, a bit of planning is needed to make sure everything goes smoothly. This document contains important information to help you prepare for our journey. Please take some time to carefully review it.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

The workshop begins when we pick you up from Noi Bai International airport (Airport Code: HAN) on Sep 22 in Hanoi, Vietnam and ends when we drop you off at Noi Bai on Oct 06 for your homeward flight. 

In between, we will travel extensively throughout northern Vietnam, photographing spectacular landscapes including steep mountain karsts and stunning terraced rice fields. We’ll also spend lots of time exploring the culture of the far north, especially the many colorful ethnic minority groups who live here. We’ll get around in an air-conditioned minivan/bus with a professional driver and local guide. Our accommodations will range from 4-star hotels/resorts to a village homestay to two nights aboard a private luxury charter boat in world famous Halong Bay. 

Take a look at the Daily Itinerary in this packet or on the workshop page of our website for more details about the locations we will visit and the things we can expect to see and photograph throughout our journey.

BALANCE OF FEES

The balance of your workshop fees are due by May 22, 2024. You will receive an invoice by email in mid-April. Payment can be made online by credit card. Your on-time payment is much appreciated.

TRAVEL LOGISTICS & DOCUMENTS

International Flights

Arrival – book your flights to arrive in Hanoi (airport code: HAN) no later than 2pm on Sep 22 (our first group activity is at 4pm). Our representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. Look for someone holding a sign with your name after you clear Immigration and pick up your luggage.

Departure– book your departing flight for anytime on Oct 06. We will transport you to the airport in time for your flight.

Please forward a copy of your travel itinerary to us ASAP to facilitate pickup/drop-off planning

Additional Hotel Nights – if you are planning to arrive early or stay after the workshop ends and need additional hotel nights in Hanoi, let us know and we can book them for you (additional cost ~$140 USD per night including breakfast).

Passport – make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond our return date. Please send us a copy/photo of the picture page of your passport.

Visas – If you are an American citizen, a Vietnam Tourist Visa is required to enter Vietnam. You will not be allowed to board your flight to Vietnam without a valid visa. If you are a citizen of another country, check online or with the Vietnamese embassy or consulate in your country.

The best way to obtain a visa is to apply on the official Vietnam government  eTourist Visa online website.  The application process is very simple and straightforward and costs only $25.  The processing time is usually 3 days or less, but don’t wait to take check off this important task.

Use the info in the image below to complete your Vietnam eVisa application

Here is an image of a Vietnam Tourist e-Visa. You can download yours from the e-visa site after your application is approved. Bring electronic and printed copies with you when you begin your travels. Carefully check that all information on the visa is correct. You will not be allowed to board your outbound flight without a valid visa.

Travel Insurance – a policy that covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation on this trip. Policies that cover medical evacuation as well as many other things like trip cancellation, lost luggage, theft/loss, etc. are widely available and quite affordable. See the FAQ’s for recommendations. Please send us a copy of your proof of coverage.

Notify Banks & Credit Cards – notify your financial institutions about your travel plans to prevent problems using credit cards or ATM’s while traveling.

Local Currency – You should convert some cash to VND (Vietnamese Dong) in Hanoi. ATM’s are available in Hanoi but not so much in the countryside. Don’t rely on ATM’s…bring some cash. The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 24,235VND. Tip: it’s handy to download a currency conversion app to your smartphone. I use one called XE, but there are many free apps available.

Note: US Dollars (USD) are NOT generally accepted, especially outside of Hanoi. Credit/debit cards are also not accepted in many small shops in the countryside. All of your major travel expense (meals, lodging, etc) are included in the workshop fee, but you will want some cash for beverages, souvenirs, tips & other purchases.

Using Your Mobile Phone – Vietnam has an amazingly robust mobile phone network (high speed 4G LTE Data almost everywhere, including deep in the mountains) Most US carriers have agreements with Vietnamese mobile phone companies that allow you to get service in Vietnam but plans may be pricey or only allow for very limited data rates.

Therefore, the best bet is to purchase a local SIM card. We’ve planned a group trip to a local phone shop to purchase SIMs but if you decide to get your own, make sure to get one from Viettel (local carrier who has the best network in the mountains). Cost is very reasonable (~$15-$25 USD) but your responsibility. Pre-purchasing third party international data plans by companies like Arialo is NOT recommended – we’ve never been able to get them to work.

WhatsApp - a free communications app that is used widely in Asia. We will be using WhatsApp for inter group communications. Please download & install WhatsApp and create an account before arriving in Vietnam. You may want to also want to have your loved ones install this app also. Facetime, Facebook Messenger and other internet-based messaging services should also work with your local SIM.

HEALTH/MEDICAL

Medications –make sure to pack an adequate supply of any prescription and non-prescription medications you take (pain relievers, sleep aids, supplements, etc.), as they may not be available in Vietnam. You may also want to carry a course of antibiotics, just in case. Request a prescription for ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ from your health provider or travel clinic.  If you’re prone to motion sickness or have a delicate stomach, some Dramamine and Immodium might be a good idea.

Immunizations - No specific immunizations are required to visit Vietnam but you should check with your health provider’s travel clinic or consult the CDC website for health/immunization recommendations. Malaria prophylaxis may be recommended

Allergies – please let us know about any allergies you have AND the severity of your reactions. It is your responsibility to carry appropriate medications (e.g. Epi Pen) in case of accidental exposure.

THINGS TO PACK

The following are suggestions for items to bring along on this trip. It is not meant to be a complete packing list.

Weather Note – September is the beginning of cooler & drier season in Vietnam, but a heat wave or thunderstorms are still possibilities. Below are average high and low temps for the coastal and mountain regions during the time we will be visiting:

Hanoi/Coastal          89˚F (32˚C)/77˚F (25˚ C)

Mountains                 74˚F (-3˚C)/61˚F (-11˚ C)

Generally, you can expect hot and humid at lower elevations and a bit cooler and drier in the mountains. Rain showers can happen at any time but are usually brief.

Clothing – cool, light and quick drying are the key features you want to keep in mind when selecting your clothing for this trip. Synthetics perform better than cotton in general. Don’t overpack, laundry service will be available whenever we stay in the same place for two nights, but I’ll often rinse out a t-shirt, socks or underwear in the sink or shower in between if necessary. Other items you will want to have include:

• Hat & Sunglasses – for protection from the sun

• Rain jacket – something very lightweight and waterproof.

• Shoes – waterproof trail or very lightweight hiking boots are an ideal choice. We won’t be doing much hiking, but the rice fields and other surfaces can be slippery/muddy, especially after rain. Choose comfortable shoes with good traction that you can walk in all day. A pair of flip flops or slippers will also be handy for around the hotel/lodges.

• Bathing suit – in case you get the urge to jump into a mountain stream or in Halong Bay.

• Sports Bra – a top suggestion from past female participants…the roads can be quite bumpy at times.

• Small Daypack – just big enough to stash a lens or two and some personal items. Saves you from having to lug your big photo backpack around everywhere.

• Walking Stick/Trekking Pole (optional) – can help on muddy/slippery areas but just another thing to carry. It’s your call, but choose a collapsible model if your bring one.

• Ear plugs  (optional)

Photo Gear – it’s tempting to bring everything you own, but that usually works against you. Limitations are an important driver of creativity and having too many options often just results in indecision. Still, good gear helps get the job done, so the following are some general recommendations for this workshop. I’m happy to give my two cents about more specific brands/models. Just ask.

• Cameras – pretty much any modern dSLR or mirrorless body will do the job. Some of the higher end ‘bridge’ cameras would also be a good choice, especially if you want to minimize weight. Bringing a paper or electronic copy of your camera’s operating manual is also recommended. Your smartphone is also a great camera – don’t forget it.

• Lenses – We will be shooting a wide variety of subjects so having a lens(es) covering focal lengths from wide angle to medium telephoto is a good strategy for maximum versatility.

I like zoom lenses for their flexibility in composing images, but that’s just my personal preference. Unless I’m specifically going after wildlife, my travel kit these days consists of 3 lenses:

12-24mm wide angle zoom – to see the big picture

24-105mm – my default ‘walk around’ lens

80-200mm telephoto – for isolating subjects or when you need a little extra reach

Your kit will look different. You might favor prime lenses or choose to work with a single lens. You could easily do this trip with just the 24-105 or a good phone camera. I recommend bringing no more than 3 or 4 lenses total.

• Batteries and Memory cards – you will be shooting a lot, maybe more than you ever have, easily in the thousands of images and hundreds of gigabytes (GB) total. Bring PLENTY of extra cards and batteries. You should NOT erase/overwrite any memory cards until you get home, even if you have downloaded the images to your laptop or hard drive.

• Battery Charger – DO NOT FORGET!!! As a backup, you might consider purchasing USB powered battery charger. They are inexpensive and let you charge your camera batteries from USB ports in your vehicle, laptop. power bank, etc. Google “(your camera model) USB charger”.

• Camera Rain Protection – mountain weather is unpredictable, so having a cover to protect your expensive gear is smart.  There are many choices available and I’ve tried quite a few, but I haven’t found anything better than O/P Tech’s Rainsleeve, which happens to be one of the least expensive options. Make sure to get the right size(s) to fit all your lenses

• Tripod – recommended but not required. Sturdy, but light with a ballhead or gimbal and a quick release mount is the way to go. Make sure your tripod can solidly support your longest lens and that you don’t have to bend over uncomfortably WITHOUT extending the center column.  Don’t forget to pack your tripod quick release plate(s)!

• Camera bag or backpack – there are an infinite number of options out there – it’s really a matter of personal preference. My advice is to choose something that is no bigger than it must be.

• Filters – A polarizing filter is highly recommended for cutting glare off water and foliage.  The only other filter I would consider bringing is a graduated neutral density (GND) filter.

• Small Microfiber towel(s) – a couple of these inside zip-loc bags will ensure you always have a dry towel to clean and wipe moisture and dirt from cameras and lenses.

• Headlamp – MUCH better than a flashlight because it leaves both hands free. A good item to always have in your bag.

Flying with Camera Gear – Nobody even wants to think about being forced to check precious photo equipment so make sure your camera bag easily fits into an overhead compartment or under the seat. Don’t attract unwanted attention by bringing a huge photo backpack!

Other Things to Pack

• Passport & Travel Docs (e.g. Vietnam Visa)

• Power adapters – Vietnam runs on 220 volt electricity and most outlets in Vietnam accept both 2 prong US style (Type A) and European (Type C) plugs. This means that most (2 prong) power cords for phones/tablets, laptops and other electronics will fit their outlets and work fine without adapters. Check higher power devices like hair dryers or shavers to make sure they are compatible with 220 volt power.  It’s also good idea to have at least one Type A to Type C or universal adapter just in case. Here is a link to a good article on travel adapters if you need more info. Finally, if your device has a 3-prong plug, you will need a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter(s) which you can purchase online or at any hardware store.

• Laptop or tablet –highly recommended. Your photography will improve if you review your images daily. Doing preliminary selects and ratings also makes the mountain of images more manageable when you get home. Make sure you have enough available space on your internal hard drive or bring a small external drive. If you are going to purchase a drive, I recommend getting a ‘bus powered’ model like this one because they don’t require external power (runs off laptop’s usb port). Remember to pack all your power/charging/data cables.

• Chargers and cables for your mobile phone and other electronics

• Power bank – extremely handy when traveling to charge up your phone, other electronics or even a camera battery (usb battery charger required) 

• Sunglasses 


• Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses 


• Personal toiletries

• Sunscreen & Bug Spray

• Instant Coffee Packets – Vietnamese coffee may not be your cup of tea. It’s very strong and served in very small quantities. If you gotta have that morning cup or 3, I highly recommend bringing a supply of Starbucks Via packets (or your preferred brand).

MISC

A Word About Gratuities – Like many service businesses, our guides and drivers rely on gratuities for a substantial portion of their income. I think you will find our local guide & driver in Vietnam to be outstanding at what they do. If you feel you’ve received good service, a gratuity is greatly appreciated. People always ask me for guidance on amounts and I always feel uncomfortable answering – what I can say is that the typical range I see is:

Driver:  $5–$7/day

Guide: $12–$18/day

Tipping at hotels and restaurants is not expected, but small gratuities are appreciated.

Again, if you have any questions about the information contained here or any other aspect of this workshop, please contact me.

I look forward to meeting you in Hanoi,

Ken Lee
+1 949-282-9660 mobile/WhatsApp
ken@artofseeing.com 

Vietnam: Backroads & Byways

To Do Checklist

___     Book Inbound/Outbound flights to/from Hanoi (HAN) and send us a copy of your flight itinerary.

___     Let us know if you need any extra hotel nights

___     Apply for Vietnam Visa

___     Check with your Doctor/Travel Clinic about any recommended immunizations

___     Send us a copy of your Passport picture page (phone photo is fine)

___     Purchase Travel Insurance. Send us a copy of proof of coverage

___     Notify Banks & Credit Cards of your travel plans

___     Check mobile phone carrier’s international roaming policies and plans

___     Install WhatsApp on your phone and create account

___     Make personal packing checklist. Click here for a generic template that you can download and customize.

2024 Vietnam: Backroads & Byways Workshop

Daily Itinerary

Itinerary: