Travel Photography in Vietnam
Readers of my facebook page will be well aware that last month, Laura and I were travelling around Vietnam. The purpose of the trip wasn’t travel photography in Vietnam, but to explore and meet people from this fabulous country, eat some nice food, and drink some good cocktails. That is exactly what we did and along the way I tried to capture the spirit and essence of the country as best as I could through the viewfinder 🙂
I took along my Fuji XPro 1, and despite meeting the concrete from a decent height on two occasions, it performed admirably, and I thoroughly enjoyed not lugging around a large SLR and a selection of heavy lenses! Laura carried the Fuji x20 and I hope to blog some of her images soon, as I’ve had many requests for further images with this little camera since my review a few weeks ago.
Vietnam is a country featuring a multitude of very different landscapes and ways of living, making it a photographer’s dream in terms of capturing varied images within one trip. However each area had its own set of challenges when it came to shooting. We started our trip in the capital, Hanoi. It is the definition of ‘hustle and bustle’, with street sellers galore, and more scooters than you can imagine. Interesting photo opportunities are in abundance but the difficulty then lies in finding a ‘clean’ shot, some early morning starts were definitely required here! Conversely, the idyllic hill town of Bac Ha, which we reached via an interesting overnight train has a more simple way of life – buffalo’s are used to plough the fields, and double up as commuter vehicles for the kids! Here, we were challenged by the weather as thick mist often covered the beautiful landscape. However the times when it lifted slightly added an extra layer of ‘rustic charm’ to the images captured. From here we hopped on a junk around the karst islands of Halong Bay, seeing some spectacular landscapes, before flying to the more commercialised Hoi An, which still manages to retains its charm and was one of our favourite places. A quick stop over in the westernised and modern Ho Chi Minh (formally Saigon), before a rain filled visit to the waterways and floating markets of the Mekong Delta. Finally we chilled out on the beaches around the stunning island of Phu Quoc – enjoying warm waters, sun and a few beers!
From the bustling cities, to the colourful hill tribes, we enjoyed; green tea with builders, crazy scooter rides, lost wedding rings (mine!), flying fish, pigs on bus roofs, frogs legs, beautiful sunrises and lots more. We visited as much of Vietnam as possible and had an amazing time. We met lots of lovely locals and equally lovely fellow travellers, I can highly recommend a visit to this happy, colourful, friendly, interesting and lively place!
The common thread throughout the trip was the interaction between the locals, strong family bonds and close knit communities, working and socialising together. As I take a similar approach to my travel photography as that for my wedding photography, focussing on the people and telling a story with my images was my photographic aim. I took a fair few shots during the trip, and have narrowed it down to my favourite 50 that represent the country and its people…
Superb work Adam… do I sense a move to travel photography. Certainly feels and looks like you enjoyed this trip. Stunning work.
Thanks Neale…I’d love to do more travel photography – but will be sticking with weddings for my income for now 🙂
You got some exceptional images here Adam. Too many to mention but a couple that stand out for me are the guy looking out of the barge window, the girls in the handcart and the farmer walking along with the jungle as a backdrop. Loos like the Fuji worked really well, nice and sharp and great colour.
Lovely work adam, some nice portraits and some nice street/travel photography images. I like the mood of the images. 4th image down is a cracking portrait!
In a word: wow. Up your game Mark Carey. There’s a new kid in town.. 😉
Amazing images Adam, a real sense of being there in the moment, lovely tones, colour and contrast
Some v nice images here Adam – nice to have the opportunity to do such stuff – Im sure it helps all other aspects of your photography.
Absolutely stunning collection of images Adam. The tones and colours are beautiful, especially love them in the fishing shots. The portrait of the old chap at the sewing machine is great.
You are too good at this Adam. Love them all. Beautiful colours.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing these Adam and I’m honestly blown away. So many stunning shots of Vietnam and its people. Hard to choose favourites but the shots of the man walking with the jungle backdrop and the sewing machine are powerful. And the water / reeds picture is beautiful. *sigh
Wowsers trousers, they are breathtaking. I love the face peeping out of the barge, the girl in the cart, the newspapers one, the man walking in the jungle. All of them basically. I could look at them over and over again!
Oh my goodness, Adam. An incredible collection of images.
I’m bookmarking this to enjoy in more detail with a cup of tea this evening.
Mate, this is such a beautiful collection of images – so much life and emotion in each frame. Love the portrait of the guy holding the bird with one shoe. Fantastic photography dude.
Absolutely superb selection, Adam, well done! I really enjoyed the split compositions and the variety framing devices you’ve used, truly great work.
Did you manage to find you wedding ring?
Thanks Ian – I never recovered my wedding ring I’m afraid…..its somewhere on the idyllic Island of Phu Quoc 🙁
Beautiful work Adam – a real sensitivity in your shooting. The smoking old lady is a masterpiece and overall its a really strong collection. Well done mate.
I echo all the sentiments above, outstanding pictures. Just shows what that sensor and lenses are capable of in the right hands!
Thanks for the kind comments everyone 🙂
Great set of images Adam, lovely work!
Outstanding photography Adam, beautiful images.
Cracking set of shots, Adam. Great colours, tones, B&Ws and some fantastic portraits. Nice one!
Really love the shots. Thank you for showing them! x
Stunning stuff mate.
AMAZING mate. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!!
Thanks for share
Beautiful images. I think you could easily include travel photography in your repertoire. I really enjoyed them. Pinned a couple as well. 🙂
I’m late catching up and reviewing these photographs Adam. The superlatives have all been used up. Just bloody brilliant.
Stunning collection of shots Adam, so many favourites!
Bloody. Hell.
These are so, so good. I’m just going to give up I think.
Adam, these are INCREDIBLE. Awesome documentary work. Hugely inspired my friend. If I could have taken just ONE of these I would be a very happy man indeed.
Fantastic shots Adam. You’re really captured the spirit of the place. What lenses did you take?
I still can’t make up my mind if I should take the X-Pro1 & X-E1 or the X-Pro1 & X100 when I go to the Philippines next month. Maybe all three, but there’s always the chance I’ll come back without any of them!
Anyway, very inspiring stuff from a beautiful country…it’s on my bucket list.
Derek.
Thanks Derek. I think the less kit you take, the more you can focus on the photography and enjoying your trip….I’d take the XPro1 🙂
Adam, these are really special. What a talent you are 🙂
Absolutely stunning shots, thank you 🙂
I’ve really been considering getting into the Fuji X-series and had kinda settled on the x100s for the supposed better AF, but these X-Pro1 pics look really sharp with great colors! Could I ask if you had any issues with auto focus?
Thanks Raz 🙂 To be honest, sometimes the XPro 1 did frustrate me with its auto focus. If I were to do the trip again, I’d be very tempted b the X100s now that its released. Although I did enjoy using the 18mm with the XPro1, and captured some wide images not possible with the X100s.
I’m torn between the AF of the x100s and the great lenses available to the X-Pro1 and X-e1 (I’m looking forward to seeing what the 23mm lens can do) I suppose the what I actually want is an X-Pro2! 🙂
Anyway, once again thanks – they really are great photos not because of the technical quality but because they’re great compositions
The man walking up the road with the mass of trees is one of the coolest photos I’ve ever seen!
+1
May I ask what sort of post processing you’ve used? They don’t look like out of the camera B&W jpgs
Hi Paul,
I’m just Lightroom 4 to process these…mainly colour jpgs initially
Hi Adam,
I absolutely love this set.
Great examples of travel photojournalism.
I must have been in Nepal when you were in Vietnam. We should have Hi5’d each other. 🙂
Hope to see you soon mate.
Cheers,
Anurag.
Hi Adam,
came here from fujirumors.com, and I really, really like these pictures!
Keep up the good work,
Stefan.
I really enjoyed seeing these. The girls in the cart seem like an optimistic analogue to the famous “napalm girl” photo from 1972. Did you have this image in mind or did it just turn out this way? It made me smile and think about how the passage of time changes the human landscape. I might be shooting a film in VN next year, and it will take me through the country, almost always outside. How much weatherproofing should I consider and how accessible is power for recharging batteries in the countryside?
Thanks Justin. I didn’t consciously make the decision for the shot to be an optimistic take on “napalm girl”, but I can see what you mean…the landscape is reminiscent of that image.
In the northern hill areas, I did find it particularly misty, and experienced a couple of days of constant rain. Shooting digal meant I didn’t have too many problems (changing film etc)…and I just used a clear plastic bag to wrap my camera in to keep the worst of the rain off when shooting.
Power wise, I never struggled to charge my batteries…even in the most remote areas, power seemed to be available.
Hope this helps 🙂
Adam
Great work. I am travelling Asia from Sept – May and am looking forward to posting my blogs. Your images make me very excited for the trip. Although I was thinking about getting a compact I think I will be lugging around my 5dmk2 and a few lenses. 🙁 Can’t afford the Fuji at the mo!
How ironic that I received this. I am the founder of Ride of the Brotherhood, We are Veterans mc riders and supporters, establishing an 501C3, to assist Veterans organizations, families and charities. Our first project is The RIDE. Ten Vietnam Combat Vets return to Vietnam and ride throughout North and South visiting sites where they served. Upon return we plan on a Welcome Home Celebrity Concert for all Vets but the Spot like will be on the Vietnam Vet, the Welcome Home they never received. The date for this is March 2015, 50years from the date the first combat troops landed in S. Vietnam. We are hoping to create a documentary which would high lite each of the 10 Vets talking about then and now and to show other Vets and everyone else what you have, the beauty and culture and the past is the past. This will be finance through sponsors and donations with ALL unspent funds and continue funds going to the Veterans organizations and charities. I would enjoy talking with you and sure it would be very informative. Your photos have increased the participation on making this trip. Thank you
I love those pics, so many memories, sapa girls are so unique with the lovely colors.
What a great set of images!
Really well done.
Just stumbled across your images Adam, really stunning work. We leave in 9 days for vietnam hence the googling!
J.
Thanks Jeremy. Have an amazing time, its a wonderful country!
Thanks Adam, we are currently on an around the world trip and Vietnam is our next stop (we’re in Cambodia now). I’ve been researching places to shoot and really enjoyed your Vietnam portfolio.
Glad its been of use Jason, I wish I was in you position right now – hope you are having an amazing time!
Great pictures! What a nice compositions and great moments! I hope to see the tribes myself in the mountains. I am myself traveling to Vietnam in less than two weeks. Which lenses did you use? I have myself a X-T1 and still can’t decide which lenses should I take (have 18-55, 35 and 55-200)… Maybe it is better to buy sth wider? Would be grateful for every help 🙂 Cheers
Hi Agata. I shot with the 35mm (nearly 50 equiv) and 17mm lenses on my xpro1. Found them great to use 🙂 You should be ok with the width of the 18mm….I tend to get close to my subjects, so don’t use anything more than the 35mm lens. Travel light is my best tip!
Thanks a lot! 🙂 I will stick to my 18-55 and maybe support with 35. Light is the reason why i decided to take X-T1 with 18-55 and not D300s with 24-70 😉
awesome images…great pics with wonderful tones and composition…came across your page looking for another photographer I met when I lived in Saigon..just moved to Ha Noi from Australia..great to be back in this fantastic country,I love seeing other Photographers work and yours are great man..well done !
Thanks Tim! So jealous of you moving yo Ha Noi, will be awesome 🙂
Absolutely love these photos – the colours are so vibrant. feel a bit nostalgic for travelling having seeing these.
I only just discovered your blog and website and I’m admiring your superb images Adam. And I got the surprise of my life when I saw your photograph of the old gentleman standing in the entrance next to the yellow wall which, I am guessing, is in Hoi An – because that’s where I photographed the same old gentleman, standing by a tree at the riverside in the old town, dressed in his traditional loose white clothing, watching the world go by. If you have the time, please check out my Vietnam blog here: http://digital-trekker.blogspot.com.au
It’s still a work in progress. I shall be following your website regularly from now on. Your images speak volumes about this beautiful, amazing country.
Hi John,
Thanks for the kind words! It is an amazing country indeed, I’ve checked out your blog too – really great images of Vietnam too 🙂
I’m planning a visit to Vietnam and tend to prefer dramatic scenery shots bit this is a really nice collection of portraits, vignettes and cameos. What a great collection to have. The Fuji does a good job. I use a Canon G12 and do post-processing but you have really captured the feel of the place. This will influence my shots. Well done.
Adam, I happened on your site while searching for “Photography in Vietnam”. Thank you for sharing your work. Today is August 9, 2015 and I am currently in Siem Reap Cambodia. In 3 days I will arrive in Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) for the first time. Thank you for the sampling of what’s to come, I really like your style.
Thanks Allan! Hope you have an awesome time in Vietnam, and amazing country 🙂
Adam this work is an inspiration! Last couple of years I’ve curtailed my creative holiday photography as I’ve thought the idea of dragging my D4 around like a ball and chain around my ankle. I should really get on this again… Any thoughts on compacts/mirrorless options that are new for 2015? Many thanks.
Cheers Harry! A small camera is a must for holidays. I’d say a Fuji xt1, or the new X-t10 would be perfect 🙂
Your photos of Vietnam’s landscapes are so amazing. What year did you take a photo?
Superb set of images! Really captured the ambience and feeling of the place without interfering! Lovely pictures
Very nice pictures! I just googled for travel photography in Vietnam and came across your post.
My plan is to take my X-T1 with 18 & 35mm with me – so nearly the same setup as you did. Now I’m really looking forward it 🙂
Thanks Jennifer, you’ll get some awesome shots with that set up – enjoy!
Exquisite images, you really got the best out of the Fuji cameras.
These pictures brought out smile on my face, brilliant work and so many stories. I am intrigued to go to Vietnam now!
Thanks for your outstanding work
Thanks Amrit, Vietnam is definitely worth a visit 🙂
Beautiful Images, love your style