“Great photography begins when you stop chasing shots and start seeing stories.”

Jassi Oberai

Jassi Oberai is a photographer and mentor whose work is shaped by travel, light, and observation. Having photographed across India and around the world, he brings real-world experience into every learning encounter.

In the field, Jassi focuses on helping photographers slow down, read light, refine composition, and find meaning in everyday moments. He encourages versatility across genres while guiding participants to develop a strong, personal visual voice.

After years of mentoring in collaboration with established photography organizations, Jassi now leads independent, immersive photo tours designed to go beyond technique. His intent is clear: to help photographers see differently, shoot with purpose, and return with images that truly resonate.

Sonali Devnani

Sonali Devnani is a Mumbai-born, Hong Kong-based portrait and street photographer. With a background in journalism, her work is rooted in observation, patience, and human connection. She has spent years photographing communities across India and Southeast Asia, drawn to everyday rituals and lived moments.

Sonali’s approach emphasises light, composition, and emotion over spectacle, allowing quiet stories to unfold naturally within the frame. Her images reflect a deep sensitivity to context, culture, and the subtleties of human interaction.

Through her photo walks and tours, she encourages photographers to slow down, see deeply, and engage respectfully with people and place—fostering not just stronger images, but a more thoughtful way of working in the world.

This immersive photo tour through Vietnam is crafted for photographers seeking authentic access, strong visual narratives, and living traditions. The journey traces a path from northern heritage villages to central coastlines and highland communities, revealing cultures shaped by time, craft, and nature.

We photograph centuries-old practices—soy sauce brewing, incense making, fish-trap weaving, fishing nets, and salt harvesting—often at dawn or in soft coastal light. From mirror-like seas in Thai Binh to the graphic salt flats of Quy Nhon and intimate portrait sessions in the Central Highlands, each location offers distinct visual opportunities.

Focused on slow travel and meaningful engagement, this tour is about more than images—it’s about stories, human connection, and creating a cohesive body of work rooted in Vietnam’s enduring way of life.

Day 0. Thu, May 14. Arrival in Hanoi

We arrive in Hanoi via our individual flights. We get into Meet n Greet  session post check in.

Day 1. Fri, May 15. The Soy Sauce village of Ban Yen Nhan (L/D)

This afternoon, we drive 1-hour to the Soy Sauce village of Ban Yen Nhan, where locals have been making soy sauce for 9 centuries. This is an important seasoning for Vietnamese cuisines. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2. Sat, May 16. Colors of Incense. Afternoon coastal life photography (B/L/D)

This morning, we journey to Incense Village, a community that has preserved the ancient craft of making incense sticks for over two centuries. We’ll capture stunning photographs of the vibrant incense sticks drying in the sun, creating a truly photogenic scene. Afterwards, we’ll visit local households to document the daily life and traditions of the artisans.

We’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the coast of Nam Dinh. There, we’ll turn our lenses to the dynamic life of the local fishermen, documenting their work against the coastal backdrop.

Day 3. Sun, May 17. The Infinite Sea of Thai Binh. The vanishing craft of making Fish Traps (B/L)

We will rise before dawn and journey to the coast of Thai Binh, where we’ll transfer to an amphibious vessel and venture into the open sea.

There, in the tranquil dawn, the water becomes a vast mirror, perfectly reflecting the sky. This is when the local fishermen answer the call of the sea, using traditional tools and methods perfected over centuries.

We will have the unique opportunity to capture this timeless scene before returning to the hotel for a well-earned breakfast and rest.

After hotel check out and lunch, we make our way to Thu Sy village, where the craft of weaving beautiful fish traps has been around for over 2 centuries.

Late in the afternoon we drive back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4. Mon, May 18. Fly Hanoi – Danang. Afternoon “Hoi An Fishing Nets” (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we check out and transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Da Nang (VN165, 10:00-11:25). Upon landing, a 40-minute drive will bring us to the enchanting town of Hoi An, where we will stop for lunch.

Refreshed from our meal, we will embark on a photographic journey. First, we visit a rural community for our “Hoi An Fishing Nets” session, observing the skilled craft of net-making. We then continue to the mouth of the Thu Bon River, where we’ll capture veteran fishermen at work, their techniques honed over decades on these very waters. Dinner and overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5. Tue, May 19. Hoi An – Quy Nhon. Afternoon photograph the salt flat of Quy Nhon (B/L/D)

Following breakfast, we embark on a scenic 5.5-hour journey south to the coastal city of Quy Nhon. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, we visit the Quy Nhon salt flats, a stunning landscape where traditional methods meet the elements. We’ll document the captivating process of salt harvesting, where locals channel seawater into flat pans and rely on the sun and wind for evaporation. This session offers more than just a photogenic scene; it’s a window into the timeless, resilient lives of Vietnam’s coastal salt farmers. Dinner and overnight in Quy Nhon.

Day 6. Wed, May 20. Quy Nhon – Pleiku (B/L/D)

This morning, our journey in central highlands continues. After breakfast, we’ll photograph sculptor in Kon Tum in the morning. In the afternoon, we’ll have another portrait session to photograph elderly people in their traditional costumes.

Late afternoon, return to our (same) hotel in Pleiku.

Dinner and overnight in Pleiku. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 07: Thu, Dec 21: Saigon – Bus to Phnom Penh – City Tour (B/L/D)

After breakfast, transfer to Bus station to catch bus to Phnom Penh.

Meet and welcome by our local guide upon arrival at bus station in Phnom Penh. Transfer to have lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, visit Royal Palace with Silver Pagoda, ToulSleng Genocide Museum and Central Market if time permit.

Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh

Day 8. Fri, May 22. Pleiku – Hanoi (B/L)

After breakfast, we depart for the airport, ready to board our flight VN 1614 (09:40-11:15) for Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, enjoy our lunch in a restaurant inside the airport. From here, awaiting your upcoming flight, or there will be a transfer to take you to the city centre.

TOUR ENDS