Overview
Explore one of Vietnam’s most fascinating and iconic spots on this unique half-day photo tour. The Hai Van Pass separates northern and central Vietnam, two very distinct climates and cultures. It also boasts some of the most spectacular views in the entire country. We travel by early morning train from Danang, and capture some of these mountain and seascapes from our window, as well as local life in the carriage. Then we jump off at the tiny station of Lang Co, and head over to photograph the fishermen at work in this tranquil lagoon. We’ll be looking at how to shoot mini-stories of daily working life. Finally we will head back up the mountain by road and shoot some more incredible landscapes both north and south from the top of the pass. Learn the art of travel photography while discovering this captivating and unforgettable area of Vietnam.
What you will be doing
From either Da Nang or Hoi An. We'll arrive at Danang train station, and before setting out, we'll have time to check camera settings and enjoy a preview of the tour and workshop. We'll also have a tasty coffee and a bite to eat while waiting for the train.
Sometimes the train is delayed, and if so, we'll use this time to work on and look at some composition tips, and even shoot some portraits in the station. Once we head out, we'll set up in the local passenger carriage so we have the chance to open our window and capture shots of the train winding round the mountain. There are great views all the way along, and we'll be looking at how to compose these kind of pictures to bring out the best in the landscape. Trains are also fantastic places to shoot portraits of both passengers and the busy train staff. We'll have a chance to work on different kinds of portrait, but also learn some ways to approach people for pictures.
We'll hop off the train at the sleepy local station of Lang Co. Nearby, we can find a fantastic little fishing community on the edge of the lagoon, where the locals use hand-woven coracle boats traditionally to bring in their catch. Now we're looking at how to shoot relationship shots, telling a story about the people in their working environment, in this case a stunning subtropical lagoon. Time to hit the road back up towards the Hai Van Pass. On the way up, we'll capture magnificent landscapes overlooking Lang Co lagoon and beach. This must be one of the most spectacular coastal roads in the world.
We'll reach the top of the Hai Van Pass, with jaw-dropping views both north towards Lang Co and Hue, and south, over the city of Danang. High up over the roadside shacks offering snacks, we find the remains of several war-era bunkers and gun emplacements, now popular places for locals to have their wedding shots taken. These make for fascinating foreground features for our landscapes, and also interesting subjects in their own right.
Time for a spot of lunch and a coffee, before we head back down to Danang. We'll also be reviewing some of the great pictures we've taken during the tour in a scenic spot.
Where we'll meet
🧭 Meeting/pick-up point: Your hotel
🗺️ Instructions: We will pick you up from from your hotel.
Things to know
Accessibility:
Children friendly
Fitness requirement
Moderate fitness level
Tour Language
English
License requirement
None
Additional information:
In the event of forecasted heavy rain, we’ll contact you to reschedule or cancel the tour and give you a full refund. If it’s early morning and raining heavily, our guide will call you on the phone number you gave us to discuss options for postponement or cancellation. In the event of cancellation we’ll issue a full refund.
You can rent a camera. We have a Nikon DSLR available to rent for $30 per tour including free memory card. Please enquire on booking.
You can join the tour with film or smartphone camera
Non-photographer partner and kids welcome, cost vary by tour
Inclusion ✅
Tour guide
Pick up and drop off transport
Breakfast
Private transportation
Exclusion ❌
Lunch
Gratuities
About your host
Vietnam in FocusWe run acclaimed private and small-group photo tours throughout north, central and south Vietnam. Whether you are a beginner, serious amateur or professional photographer, we can help you to capture incredible shots, and enjoy an unforgettable, authentic experience of this fascinating country. Our photo tours have been recommended by Lonely Planet, The Guardian and Le Petit Fute, as well as holding a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor for over a decade. We are officially licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to run tours and workshops, and have led groups from National Geographic and the Travel Channel. We also love to make a difference. We work with local NGOs like Peace House Shelter, Change, and the Centre for Women and Development to raise awareness about social and environmental challenges in Vietnam.
For every trip booked, Kodama Travel donates £1 to Just One Tree to restore our forests and the ocean.