Prepare to take the Enchanting Sapa Photography Tour, which is an amazing conglomeration of beautifully picturesque landscape photography and lively snapshot portraits of this stunning part of Vietnam. Sapa is characteristically carpeted with rolling hills, comprehensive areas of terraced rice fields, and the unique tradition of the Red Dao people in Ta Phin village most of which create the perfect canvas for great photography. On this tour, you will visit the mystical Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin, blending history and nature on your tour there. Moreover, you will get to experience the plentiful life of the locals in Ta Phin. Join Impress Travel’s Sapa Tours on an unforgettable adventure through this picturesque region!
In Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin was built by the French in 1942 to house Catholic nuns for praying purposes. This monastery lay abandoned for only three years, in 1945, for reasons of political unrest; it stood as a ghosting site of remains. Here at this site, nature has taken over with moss covering the stone walls and vines tugging through the structure, making it spiritual and mystical.
The classic French Gothic design of the monastery speaks to another era with its arched windows, tall doorways, and thick stone walls. Highly worn stone against the greeneries that surround it surely provides a great sight, especially for photography enthusiasts. Sunlight filtering through the arches and the interaction of nature with the man-made structure creates a unique aura in this historical place.
For photographers, the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin is a treasure trove of inspiration where rich history combines architectural beauty with the landscape to offer endless shots: capturing morning light or the quiet stillness of the ruins, this must-see destination is on any Sapa Tours itinerary.
Your adventure in Sapa begins with a transfer from the heart of the town to Ta Phin Village, a scenic drive taking about 45 minutes, during which time the stunning sceneries of northern Vietnam have great chances to be captured. You will go through terraced rice fields and misty mountain views that are perfect for early-morning photography. The soft natural lighting at this time is ideal for capturing the landscape views featuring the serene beauty of the Sapa highlands.
Ta Phin Village
In Ta Phin Village, be warmly greeted by the residents of the Red Dao people. Members of this ethnicity wear a fluorescent traditional dress that perfectly aligns with the emerald hills surrounding them. Take leisurely walks around the village and find plenty of chances to shoot pictures of daily life. Shoot candid shots of Red Dao women working on intricate weavings with their hands and handcrafting pieces of textiles. These mountain backdrop-framed vignettes of village life are a photographer’s dream.
You are also going to shoot pictures of the bustling market where locals trade goods in vibrant colors, reflecting the real culture and traditions of the Red Dao ethnic people. This is, therefore, the best opportunity since there are bustling scenes of the market, colored clothes, and a nice mountain landscape for one to take pictures of village beauty.
Next, we will be brought to the highlight of our tour: the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin. This abandoned monastery,which was built by the French back in the 1940s, offers a great combination of history and nature. The moss has grown on the stone walls to reveal gothic architecture, while its hauntingly beautiful ruins create a surreal atmosphere-perfect for taking pictures.
You can spend your energy shooting the texture of those stone walls, catching the filtering light through the arches, and widening the human concept of an oppositive structure to the forces of nature. The Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin presents limitless possibilities for dramatic, atmospheric photography. The guide is going to give some tips on how to frame shots that show the relationship between history and nature sure to capture a mystical ambiance in this incredible site.
After half of the morning exploring and shooting, it is time to relax with a traditional herbal bath Red Dao style. Get the chance to enjoy this breathtaking wellness tradition in a rustic wooden tub filled with fragrant local herbs. It is not only a great way to relax but also a fantastic opportunity to photograph rich colors and the textures of the herbal bath.
It will be about the serenity of it: steam rising from tubs, vibrant herbs used in the bath, and the general serenity of the surroundings. If you feel like it, shoot personally the experience added storyteller depth to your photo journey.
Lunch with a Local Family
After lunch, we rest, then join a local Red Dao family and see their real red Dao cuisine culture. We have some great chances to photograph it. Food will be prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients: vegetables from the garden, grilled meat, and sticky rice.
You can shoot from this moment the beautifully prepared food, the warm and inviting atmosphere of the family home, and the vivid conversations between family members. These are some photographs that will let you narrate with much more depth about being connected, culture, and hospitality.
The next destination on our tour is Ta Phin Cave, mysterious and exciting on the journey. This cave is famous for narrow passageways, and pictorial shapes of rock. It is rather fun and challenging to take pictures inside the cave. Down in the cave, you could shoot dramatic views: with natural light filtering from above through the many skylights in the cave’s roof to create beautiful light-and-shade contrasts.
Ta Phin Cave
This is low-light photography in the cave, but your guide will give you some tips on how to set up your camera to catch intricate details of rock formations and the mysteriousness of the place. This is going to be an adventure that will leave you with unique and memorable photos of this hidden gem.
Famous Cloud Bridge
Last but not least is the famous Cloud Bridge a sweet suspension bridge made of bamboo and vines that spans over the Mường Hoa River. The shooting lane from the bridge to the valley and the mountains around will be just great for landscape photos.
This time of the day is perfect for golden hour photography. As the sun begins to set, all that warm, soft light will enhance the beauty of the surrounding landscape, and guarantee that this is the most ideal spot for capturing overwhelmingly spectacular views of the Sapa Highlands. The Cloud Bridge is also great for creative compositions using the bridge as a leading line in photos to draw the viewer’s eye toward the stunning backdrop.
The return to Sapa town will be made towards the end of the day, with the photography opportunities far from being over. On the return journey, the photographic opportunities of ‘twilight over terraced rice fields’, with the last remnants of the sun casting its golden color over the mountains can be captured. A great round-up of this tour, in golden and tranquil light, provides a most excellent end to a day filled with exploration and creative activity.
Before embarking on your fantastic journey to the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin and beyond, take some thoughtful time to properly pack and prepare for what awaits you. From seasoned photographers to beginners, know just what equipment to use and be sensitive to local culture to ensure your Sapa Tours experience is both memorable and respectful.
First things first: don’t forget your essential camera gear! A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens is perfect for shooting the stunning landscapes and the historic architecture of the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin. Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod for those low-light shots-especially when exploring inside the monastery or venturing into Ta Phin Cave. The weather conditions in Sapa are unpredictable, so remember to bring a lightweight rucksack with a rain cover to keep your gear dry.
Comfortable trekking shoes should be worn for uneven terrain, while light, breathable clothing is best for a full day’s walk and exploration. Bring a light jacket, as mountain air can be quite cool. Do not forget essentials like sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water to keep you hydrated throughout the day.
This tour is recommended for most physical fitness levels; however, some moderate physical activity is just about required. The Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin will have guests walking on uneven surfaces, and the Ta Phin Cave also requires additional navigation through its narrow passageways. While practically non-strenuous, it is a good idea to be prepared with light walking and climbing. Doing some stretching or taking a short walk before the tour will help ensure that you are ready for the adventure.
Showing respect for the culture is an added amenity to one’s experience on Sapa Tours. When taking pictures of the friendly Red Dao, always ask for permission. A smile or polite gesture normally will be met with openness and friendliness. Remember, some may be camera-shy or do not want to be photographed at all. Always let the mood of the villagers dictate if photos should be taken.
As we visit the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin, let us show respect not only for its existence as part of the culture and spiritual heritage but also for the proscription against touching sacred religious artifacts or walking into restricted areas. If you keep the attitude respectful, you will get great shots without missing a chance to take in the essence of the local culture.
The Enchanting Sapa Photography Tour introduces you to the unforgettable moments in the Sapa landscapes, the vibrant local culture, and the historic beauty of the Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin. From the colorful villages of the Red Dao down to the ruins of the monastery, which can be considered quite mystical, every moment is a photographer’s dream.
The well-preserved Ancient Monastery in Ta Phin is a must for photography lovers who yearn for the quintessential blend of nature, history, and architecture. Book your Sapa Tours photography adventure with Impress Travel today as we take you through magic into the timeless beauty of Sapa. Don’t forget to regularly follow our Impress Travel for more interesting information about traveling Sapa to and to book Sapa Tours at the best prices.
Hotels in Sapa
Homestay in Sapa
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
Inclusion: Night train tickets, Tour guide, Transfer from Hanoi to Lao Cai station
Inclusion: Breakfast; lunch; dinner, Homestay in Ta Van, Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Lao Cai train station to Sapa town
After breakfast, we keep the easy trekking through the rice terrace track to Giang Ta Chai village where is home of Red Dao people, and then to Su Pan village where the vehicle is awaiting for transferring back to Sapa town.
The afternoon time is free at leisure and explore Sapa town by self
Hotel overnight in Sapa town
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Su Phan village back to Sapa town, Hotel in Sapa
Inclusion: Breakfast; Entrance fee; Tour guide, Private air-conditioned vehicle pick up from Cat Cat village back to Sapa town and transfer to Lao Cai station and Night train tickets to Hanoi.
Impress Travel – Sapa tours offers classic and easy tours, trekking tours (easy trek, medium trek & hard trek) to discover the remote ethnic minority villages & adventurous tours to conquer Fansipan’s highest mountain peak or motorbike to travel around and mountain biking, market day tours, homestay with an ethnic family. For the most trusted and most saving for North Vietnam Tour Packages to explore Sapa Vietnam. Email: Sapatours@impresstravel.com & call to Mr. Alex Impress Travel Manager at his cell phone (+84) 9123 79 189
