INTRODUCTION

I am excited to invite you to my Vietnam + Cambodia Luxury Photo Workshop.

Vietnam is a country I have been photographing for over 36 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 own personal connection to Vietnam feels deeply destined.

On assignment for National Geographic, I fell in love with 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, and 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. Guests receive personalized, attentive support, from photography coaching to thoughtful care throughout the journey.

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 constantly packing and moving.

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

This is a small workshop with a maximum of eight guests.

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

The workshop officially starts the afternoon of February 19, and departures can be anytime March 8. Guests are highly encouraged to arrive a day or two early to get adjusted. This is an 18-day workshop, including arrival and departure days.

(Experiences are subject to change.)

WORKSHOP ITINERARY

Day 1 Guests arrive in Hanoi. Check into the legendary Metropole.

Days 1 - 5 Hanoi

Experiences include: an exclusive Vietnamese art tour and private dinner at my gallerist’s home-gallery, time spent with many of my close friends including the family of Vietnam’s hero, General Võ Nguyên Giáp, a studio visit with one of Vietnam’s most famous artists, and a private fashion shoot, with gorgeous models, vibrant colorful clothes, and a place with a deeply meaningful story behind it.

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

Days 6 - 8 Hué

Experiences include:
Spending time at a serene pagoda set at the foot of majestic mountains, surrounded by gardens, ponds, and flowers. We are warmly welcomed by monks and nuns I have known for years and are guided in a soulful meditation by the head monk. We take a cyclo ride to the historic Imperial Citadel, photographing Hué’s ornate, faded yellow and red beauty palaces, saturated with history. We also ride on the back of motorbikes through the countryside, photographing village life, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch at the home of Thanh, who was Anthony Bourdain’s guide.

Day 9 We travel down the turquoise Central Coast to Hoi An, photographing beaches, views, and stop for lunch at a seafood restaurant set on a dreamy lagoon, beneath the Bạch Mã Mountains.

Days 9 - 11 Hoi An. Check into the charming boutique gem of a hotel Little Riverside.

Experiences include:
Going by private boat pre-sunrise to a nearby fishing village - a riot of color and activity, with boats, fish, nets, baskets, people, and constant motion everywhere you look. We photograph the architecture, street scenes, and lanterns of historic Hoi An, and have lunch at my favorite restaurant overlooking rice fields in the quieter, non-touristy part of town.

Day 12 Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Check into our gorgeous hotel, the Angkor Village.

Days 12 - 18 Siem Reap

Experiences include:
Photographing the iconic temples of Angkor, learning how to shoot them in unique and unexpected ways. Our Philanthropy Day with landmine survivors is very special. Guests pair off, with private interpreters, to spend real time with these families. This is a deeply moving day, offering intimate connections to these beautiful, resilient people.

Day 18 Guests depart from Siem Reap International Airport.

COST

Shared accommodation rate

$12,875 per person
Early confirmation | Valid for registrations confirmed by April 30, 2026

$12,375 per person

Single occupancy supplement 

$1,500 per person