INTRODUCTION

I am excited to invite you to my Vietnam-Cambodia Photo Workshop!

Vietnam is a country I have been photographing for over 30 years, and it is dear to my heart. I discovered Vietnam through my father, Stanley Karnow, whose book and TV series, Vietnam A History, is still considered the "bible" on Vietnam.

My connection to Vietnam seems destined - and there is a beautiful mystery to my sense of belonging. On assignment for National Geographic, I fell in love with a new Cambodia and discovered a country with so much more than just temples.

Let me share with you the inspirational people, places, and hidden gems that I know and love, experiences one would never have traveling alone or on another tour.

I have carefully and passionately planned every last detail of this workshop, and it is all about how I love to travel - beautiful places, fascinating people, deep learning, luxury hotels, delicious food. This trip is extremely well-planned, smart, sophisticated, honest, fun, and comfortable. 

This is not a sight-seeing tour, but an immersive experience of heart and soul.

In this workshop, we will be in Hanoi, Hué, Hoi An, and Siem Reap in Cambodia - with artists, monks, fishermen, landmine survivors, the family of the country's hero, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and others. We also have an extraordinary day learning about the history of Vietnam through art, with leading art experts, one of whom is my gallerist.

We'll be photographing Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter, a bustling fishing village in Hoi An, enjoying a home-cooked lunch with a local family, traveling down the emerald Central Coast, shooting a fun fashion show, spending a day at a remote pagoda, and riding on the back of motorbikes in Hué along charming country roads.

In Cambodia, we spend one day at the iconic temples, visiting them at carefully chosen times, avoiding throngs of tourists as much as possible. We will also spend time with extraordinary Cambodians in their homes and work-spaces; their life stories are deeply moving.

All photography experiences are designed to allow guests to spread out and photograph with space and freedom.

We stay several nights in each hotel, so we are not always packing up and moving to the next place. 

All levels of photographers are welcome. Spouses/partners who have no strong interest in photography are welcome!

This will be a small workshop of maximum 8 guests. 

We’ll have class group projections, private one-on-one critiques and close guidance on location.

This is so much more than just a photography workshop. If you have ever wanted to experience Vietnam and Cambodia in a truly special and unique way, join me in these countries I love and know so well.

The workshop officially starts the afternoon of October 20 and departures can be anytime November 6. Guests are highly encouraged to arrive a day or two early to get adjusted. This is a 18-day workshop, including arrival and departure days.

WORKSHOP ITINERARY

Day 1 ARRIVALS - Guests arrive, Hanoi. Check into the legendary Metropole.

Days 1 - 5 Hanoi.

Experiences include: street photography in Hanoi's charming Old Quarter, an exclusive Vietnamese art tour and private dinner at my own gallerist’s home-gallery, a private fashion show, meeting many of my illustrious friends, such as the family of General Giap, dining in great restaurants, and sampling delicious home-cooked food. 

Day 6 Fly to Hué. Check in to the magnificent, art-deco La Residence.

Days 6 - 10 Hué.

Experiences may include: photographing and meditating with monks at an off-the-beaten-track pagoda; taking a fun cyclo ride to the historic Citadel to photograph the prettiest part; riding on the back of motorbikes and photographing village scenes in the peaceful countryside; enjoying a home-cooked lunch at the home of Thanh, (who was Anthony Bourdain's guide).

Day 10 Photographing beaches, views (and curious scenes!) down the turquoise Central Coast to Hoi An, stopping along the way at a beach-side restaurant with super-fresh seafood.

Days 10, 11, 12 Hoi An. Check into the charming boutique gem of a hotel, Little Riverside Hoi An

Experiences include: going at dawn by private boat to a nearby fishing village and capturing the vibrant fishing village scenes; shooting the architecture, street scenes and lanterns-at-dusk in charming, historic Hoi An, and eating local specialties at my favorite restaurants.

Day 13 Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia and check into our gorgeous hotel, the Angkor Village Hotel.

Days 13 - 18 Siem Reap

Day 18 - Final day. Guests depart from Siem Reap International Airport

Experiences include shooting the iconic, ancient temples of Angkor, practicing ways to make your temple photographs different and unexpected; an optional lake cruise on the Tonle Sap; and our Philanthropy Day where we will visit landmine survivors - this will be a very special day, as we get to spend real time with these survivors and their families. We will also have a very unusual visit with a photographer whose stories working for oppressive Pol Pot regime are jaw-dropping.

Day 18 - 23 NEW! OPTIONAL ADD-ON: Gastronomy Tour Battambang, Cambodia (Limited to 4 guests)

(Please email Catherine if you would like to receive more info about this amazing experience!)

Day 22 Back to Siem Reap for one night

Day 23 Final Day - DEPARTURES from Siem Reap

{ experiences are subject to change }

COST

$11,975
Single supplement $1800

(November 6 - 11 Optional Add-On: Gastronomy Tour - Battambang, Cambodia
Cost $3460 Limited to 4 guests, first-come first-served)