Ho Chi Minh City Tours for Photographers & Story Seekers

Why Choose a Saigon Photo Tour? 

A Saigon Photo Tour is your passport to capturing the essence of Ho Chi Minh City. This intense experience takes you far beyond the standard tourist trail, taking you on a stroll through chaotic street markets, peaceful back streets, and world-famous monuments such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office. From discovering the frenetic street life of Chinatown to capturing the golden light across the Saigon River, this Saigon photography tour has you seeing and capturing the city’s genuine magic.

Ideal for everyone from beginners with smartphones to skilled professionals with sophisticated equipment, the Saigon Photo Tour is guided by professional photographers who recognize the optimal angles, lighting, and methods of narration. You’ll get professional tips on street shots, portraits, and low-light photography, so it’s a suitable choice no matter what skill level or equipment you have. You can take flexible options, private tours for one-on-one coaching, small group tours for shared interaction, or custom routes based on your interests. You won’t want to pass up the opportunity to spice up your Ho Chi Minh itinerary with irreplaceable memories and see the city differently than ever before.

Top Recommended Saigon Photo Tours: Detailed Itineraries

Private Photo Tour with Impress Travel

Time: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM (4 Hours)

Itinerary:

• 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM: Gather at your assigned meeting point within District 1. Brief introduction to the tour, check on the cameras, and a quick overview of basic photography techniques for composition, lighting, and telling a story.
  
• 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Wander along hidden passageways near Ben Thanh Market. Document the early morning activity of vendors, the colourfulness of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the spontaneous moments of local life.
  
• 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Walk around the historic Saigon Post Office and the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Understand how to shoot the majesty of French colonial buildings.
  
• 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Take a brief pause at a local café. Relax with a traditional Vietnamese coffee while going over shots and taking feedback from Quinn.
  
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Explore the narrow streets of Cho Lon (Chinatown). Shoot the bustling street markets, traditional medicine shops, and bright temples.
  
• 11:00 AM: Tour conclusion with a last look at your top shots. Suggestions on what to further explore and individualized photography improvement tips.
  

Saigon Post Office (Sours: crystalbay)

Cultural Insights Tour with Thien The Hip Storyteller

Time: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (3 Hours)

Itinerary:

• 2:30 PM: Gather at Quan Ca Phe Cheo Leo, a historic local café that specializes in traditional coffee. Thien will explain the cultural importance of the café and the area.
  
• 2:45 PM – 3:15 PM: Wander around the lively Flower Market. Take photos of bright flower arrangements, street vendors at work, and spontaneous shots of shoppers selecting fresh flowers.
  
• 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Take a stroll along the legendary Painting Street. Capture shots of street artists creating art, murals, and street life. Thien explains the inspiration for each artist and their work.
  
• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Explore the Chinatown (Cho Lon). Capture busy street markets, ancient Chinese temples, and narrow alleyways full of heritage.
  
• 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Finish the tour at a local street food stall. Savor a traditional Vietnamese snack while browsing through your photographs and being given some individualized tips by Thien.

Flower Market (Sours: jackfruitadventure)

Ultimate Saigon Day Tour (Full Day)

Time: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (12 Hours)

Itinerary:

• 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Start at Railway Village. Capture the dramatic scenes when trains run along narrow streets, with people carrying on their everyday lives. Discover techniques for dynamic street photography.
  
• 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Savor a typical Vietnamese breakfast of banh mi and coffee with a side of photography tips and critiques.
  
• 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Go to Ben Thanh Market and Saigon Post Office, which are both bustling with activity. Practice composition for architectural photography.
  
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch break at a nearby restaurant within District 7 to relish traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
  
• 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Visit the Floating Village of District 7. Capture the floating homes, river life on a typical day, and multi-colored reflections on the surface of the river.
  
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Explore the Bui Vien Walking Street and take shots of the lively street life, street vendors, and neon signs. Ideal for low-light and candid photography.
  
• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Coffee break time! Review with the guide your top shots and receive feedback and recommendations specific to your work.
  
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Wrap up with a nighttime shoot at The Colony, a lesser-known gem with vintage apartment buildings and dramatic lighting.
  
• 7:00 PM: Conclusion of the tour. Last check and recommendations for post-processing of photographs.

Bui Vien Walking Street (Sours: uncovervietnam)

Essential Photography Tips for Your Saigon Photo Tour

Mastering Street Photography 

Street photography is about capturing life on the move. With a city like Saigon, where life is ever-present and on the go, each corner is full of stories to be had. On your Saigon Photo Tour, observe the following tips to shoot memories:

• Blend in with the Locals: Dress informally and don’t call attention to yourself. When a part of the scene, it is possible to obtain candid shots without disturbing them.
  
• Use a Prime Lens for Sharp Portraits: A 35mm or 50mm prime lens is ideal for taking crisp, close-in shots of street vendors, people who are sipping their coffees, or local craftsmen.
  
• Capture Emotions and Candid Moments: Search for stories in faces an old vendor with a worn smile, a child at play in a colorful alley, or a traditional Vietnamese coffee and tea maker at a barista stand.
  
• Respect Personal Space: Be sure to ask before taking close portraits, particularly around the dense markets of Chinatown or the side streets of District 5.
  

Use a Prime Lens for Sharp Portraits (Sours: hoangphucphoto)

Perfecting Architectural Shots 

Saigon has a fascinating mix of French colonial grandeur, skyscrapers, and hidden temples. Mastering architecture photography on a Saigon Photo Tour is a sure way to achieve incredible shots for those who take the tour.

• Use Wide-Angle Lenses for Grand Buildings: A 16-35mm lens is ideal for bringing out the towering grandeur of Saigon Central Post Office, Bitexco Tower, and the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.
  
• Explore Creative Angles for Unique Perspectives: Shoot from a low crouch, from an upward perspective, or reflective surfaces such as puddles for captivating compositions.
  
• Play with Reflections at Night: Explore Nguyen Hue Street, with the reflected light of the neon signs echoing against glass facades. Try using reflections for a dramatic city scene.
  
• Adjust Exposure Settings: Ho Chi Minh City has intense sunlight that is quite bright. Apply a polarizing filter for richer color and to minimize glare.

Low-Light Photography Techniques 

As the sun sets, Saigon becomes a dazzling world of glowing billboards, humming night markets, and glittering city life an absolute Saigon photography paradise for those who find themselves in Saigon.

• Adjust ISO and Shutter Speed: Set ISO to 800-1600 and shutter speed to 1/60s or slower for crisp night shots. Don’t go too high on ISO to avoid a grainy image.
  
• Use a Tripod for Stable Long-Exposure Photos: To get ideal light trails on Nguyen Hue Street, mount a tripod, take a slow shutter speed of 5-10 seconds, and record the flow of the motorbikes and city lights.
  
• Experiment with Light Trails: Shoot at intersections or along the riverbank near Bitexco Tower to get light trails of oncoming vehicles.
  
• Capture Neon-Lit Streets: Bui Vien Street and The Colony are ideal venues for the streets and portraits at night with a neon glow.

About Impress Travel

Impress Travel is a reputable tour operator in Vietnam providing diverse travel experiences carefully designed by experts, with the popular Saigon Photo Tour being one of them. With a head office at 125 Hoang Ngan, 3rd Floor, Trung Hoa, Hanoi, and a branch office at 155 Ben Van Don, Rivergate, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City, Impress Travel is renowned for its individualized and premium tours. Operated by Viet An Services Group and licensed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (License No. 01 – 169), we specialize in tailor-made and private tours, ranging from cultural experiences and adventure tours to experiential Saigon photography tours.

Our Saigon Photo Tour at Impress Travel is for those who seek to photograph the lively energy and undiscovered charms of Ho Chi Minh City. Our guides, who are local and professional photographers, take visitors from the ordinary sights through the chaotic street markets, peaceful side streets, and symbolic monuments. No matter what skill levels our visitors have, our tours guarantee amazing photographs and memories to take back with them. Call (+84) 912 379 189 or email info@impresstravel.com to book a Saigon Photo Tour with us.

Conclusion

Ready to discover the authentic spirit of Ho Chi Minh City? Our Saigon Photo Tour is the way to make some memories and get some incredible shots. From bustling street markets to tucked-away gems and world-famous sites, our Saigon photography tour allows you to experience the city with a new perspective. Don’t forget to book our Saigon Photo Tour and turn your tour Saigon 1 day into a visual masterpiece.

FAQ: Tipping in Vietnam

1. How much do you tip in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, the standard tip varies depending on the service:

• Restaurants and Cafes: 5-10% of the bill.
  
• Hotels: 20,000-50,000 VND per night for housekeeping, 50,000-100,000 VND for concierge services.
  
• Tour Guides: 100,000-200,000 VND per day for
  
• Taxi Drivers: Round the fare up or give a 10% tip

2. Is 100,000 dong a good tip in Vietnam?

Yes, 100,000 VND is a generous tip for many services in Vietnam and could be a wonderful gesture for outstanding service at restaurants, hotels, or with tour guides.

3. Is 5 dollars a good tip in Vietnam?

Yes, 5 USD, or about 120,000 VND, is indeed a generous tip for Vietnam, even for basic services like meals or tours with guides. It is a good way to appreciate good service effort.

4. Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Vietnam?

It is usually not advisable to use tap water for brushing teeth, particularly for tourists with delicate stomachs. You may want to use bottled or filtered water for added safety.