Laos & Vietnam


		Vietnam Photography Tour Details
		Dates	Nov 3–20, 2009
		Leader	James Martin and local guides
		Fee	$6,895 from Bangkok, departing from Saigon
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	16
			Terms and Conditions

Southeast Asia was a crossroads of cultures long before Marco Polo visited during his epic journey. Empires rose, clashed, and retreated as the great religions swept through the populations. The residue of history can be found amid dramatic landscapes and fascinating peoples.

Laos shows few signs of modernity and offers a glimpse into traditional ways of life. We photograph Luang Prabang with its hundreds of historic residences and 500-year-old Buddhist temples, now protected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this former royal capital on a peninsula in the Mekong River, expect to see members of diverse hill tribes selling their fruits, vegetables or crafts. Each morning dozens of monks walk through town accepting a pinch of sticky rice from each of the assembled devout women. We explore verdant hills running with waterfalls and punctuated with sacred caves.

From the Chinese border to the Mekong Delta, Vietnam possesses an unmatched variety of photogenic tropical scenery. In the north, limestone cliffs and towers evoke Thailand’s Krabi coastline. Dozens of seastacks and uninhabited islands ringed

with empty beaches dot the waters of Halong Bay. South of Hanoi, lazy rivers wind through narrow valleys green with rice paddies and bracketed by towers and vertical stone walls. Village life follows the rhythms of centuries. We’ll create fantastic images of farmers selling their wares in floating markets, cultivating their land or tending to livestock. The cities exude pure energy, a chaos of rapid development only moderately restrained by the authoritarian regime.

For 2009 we have added time to explore the photogenic city of Hue in central Vietnam, another World Heritage site. This beautiful city was once the royal capital of the Nguyen lords who controlled much of southern Vietnam from 1744 until 1945. The imperial compound was intended to equal Bejing’s Forbidden City. Tombs, pagodas and palaces line the Perfume River.

Continuing south toward Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, the hills give way to flat land and the delta. We visit the

secret Cu Chi tunnels, a 120-mile-long underground network that sheltered the Viet Cong during the American War. Ho Chi Minh City itself is an amalgam of ancient, colonial and modern architecture, including the colorful Cao Dai temples. We wander the markets, and reserve some time for individual explorations before departing for home.

Day 1
Depart home.

Day 2
Arrive in Bangkok.

Day 3 (Nov 5)
Fly to Luang Prabang, ancient capital city in the mountains of northcentral Laos. (LD)

Days 4–6
We photograph beautiful monasteries and temples built as early as the 16^th century. Hmong markets and Buddhist images in caves along the Mekong River will also attract our interest. (BLD)

Day 7
We fly to Vientiane. (BLD)

Day 8
Photograph the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and the Great Stupa, built in the 12^th century, as well as the busy marketplace. (BLD)

Day 9
Fly to Hanoi. (BLD)

Day 10
Excursions by road and boat to photograph the Perfume Pagoda—a complex of pagodas and shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain. Drive to Ninh Binh. (BLD)

Day 11
Travel by boat to photograph the Kenh Ga floating village. (BLD)

Day 12
Drive north and east along the coast with good views of Halong Bay and its islands. (BLD)

Day 13
A private boat takes us to several of the islands and huge, many-chambered caves. (BLD)

Day 14
Drive to Hanoi via Haiphong and fly to Hue. (BLD)

Day 15
Explore this photogenic area, including the Hien Nhan gate and Thai Hoa Palace. (BLD)

Day 16
After a final morning in Hue, we fly to Saigon.

Day 17
A day of sightseeing in Saigon. (BLD)

Day 18 (Nov 20)
Depart for home.



	Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070 Phone: (206) 463-5383 Fax: (206) 463-5484 Email: info@photosafaris.com Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.

Laos & Vietnam

Vietnam Photography Tour Details