There is a bamboo ferry crossing of the Nho Que river between the Meo Vac area and Bao Lac. You will also be moving from Ha Giang to Cao Bang provinces. The road down is steep and made of red clay. It should not be attempted in the rain or when roads are wet. You can see the video of this river crossing.
The Nho Que river snakes its way along the eastern side of the Ha Giang loop in Meo Vac. Certainly one of the more iconic views of the trip. The boat rides are worth taking. Just the ride down to the river off of the main road can provide some great photo spots. Avoid the boat tour area closes to Meo Vac town. This is…
Route DT176 from Du Gia towards Mau Due is a great ride. Along the way you will come across the ruins of an old French fortified outpost.
Marble Mountain is about halfway between Hoi An and Da Nang. You can take an elevator for a fee or climb the 150 steps to the top. It’s not a difficult climb though the steps are uneven. If you approach the area by motorcycle ladies on their scooters will try to heard you into their gift shops parking area. Though aggressive I never found an…
Angel Eye mountain is a really special spot fairly close to Cao Bang city. There are homestays close by and even a camping operation that you can book online (though if you message them directly it is a bit cheaper). If you choose the glamping stay you may get lucky and see the sun rays stream through the eye just after sunrise. There are two…
Some lesser known photography spots.
A really interesting building with everything an urban archeologist could ask for. Complete with grit, graffiti, old spiral staircase and even an all dressed up speakeasy bar — SnuffBox. It’s a good place to go during the mid-day harsh light as you are indoors but may get some nice light streaming into the windows. Definitely bring a fast wide or super-wide angle lens if you…
Tan Dinh, “The Pink Church” is a fixture for the Instagram crowd. The hop-on/hop-off bus will stop here. Tan Dinh Church Address: 289 Hai Ba Trung Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hours: Daily 5:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Mass times vary Standing prominently in District 3, Tan Dinh Church is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most distinctive religious buildings,…
Musulman Mosque 101 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City This is a bit of a surprise for many to find in the heart of Saigon. In District 1 near the Sheraton hotel it has many quiet and unique spots to photograph. They open very early and a nice stop before breakfast but be respectful of worshipers. Originally constructed in 1935, this…
Mui Ne is a coastal resort town within easy reach from Saigon by bus or train. Famous for the White and Red sand dunes it is a meccas for kite surfers. Plenty of nice resorts and western food if you are looking for a change from local fare.