Saigon Through the Lens

A photo tour that explores the city's hidden gems

For those looking to dive deeper into the history, architecture, and culture of Saigon, grab your camera and hop on to our Saigon photography tour. Most photography tours in Vietnam are walking tours, which only allow you to explore small areas of the city. We created this half-day Vietnam photography tour to provide our guests the opportunity to see large swaths of Saigon. In addition, you will learn how to improve your photography skills while immersing in the unique history and culture of the places we visit. There is something here for everyone!

When does this photo tour start?

Photo tours must begin with an early start to catch the best morning light and beat the heat! The default start time of this Saigon photo tour is 6 am, however we can start as early as 5 am for guests that book a private tour and wish to catch the sunrise.

What type of Saigon photo opportunities does the tour offer?

You will travel from Saigon’s District 1 to areas in Districts 4, 5, 10 and 3. Explore a high-rise temple tucked into the bustling core of Chinatown. Stroll through a bustling wet market on the ground, then come upstairs to see things from a different vantage point. Halfway through, we stop amidst a bustling residential complex for a popular Vietnamese breakfast called Banh Mi Chao (panned baguette).

This Saigon photography tour features other stops such as the Gustave Eiffel-designed Rainbow Bridge, and a 100 year old alleyway occupied by the ancestors of Cantonese settlers who arrived in the city 300 years ago. This is an Asia photo tour unlike any other, with many unique Vietnam photography opportunities!

No time for a Saigon photography class?

If you do not have time to fit both a Saigon photography class and a city tour into your Vietnam trip, this educational tour combines a half-day photography class with stops at some amazing sights in one fantastic experience! You will learn how to change the manual settings on your camera to obtain the best results, receive a lesson on framing and composition, and understand why the exposure triangle of ISO, aperture and shutter speed is so important, plus much more!

What are the qualifications of the photography guide?

Unlike most Vietnam photography tours that are led by foreigners and charge an arm and a leg, or by Vietnamese tour guides who know nothing about photography and are mostly glorified escorts taking you places to take photos, the photography guides that lead XO Tours’ Saigon Through the Lens tour are professional Vietnamese photography instructors who work in the field for a living. You will pick up invaluable photography techniques from a local teacher’s perspective, and learn how to better use the features on your camera or phone. You will not be able to put a price on the amount of knowledge you will gain while joining this fun and educational tour!

Is this tour suitable for amateur photographers?

Perfect for both amateurs and professional photographers looking to expand their horizons, Saigon Through the Lens offers a great mix of unique locations and experienced guides to help you find your stride as a street photographer in Saigon. It is all about perspective!

What is the group size?

Please note that this tour is offered on a join-in basis, so there may be other guests joining you on the tour. Our maximum group size is 4 people. For guests that do not want to go in a group, we also offer a private tour option for an extra charge.