Photo Tour to Capture The Vanishing Craft of Making Fish Traps

Visiting Vietnam without Momentlives is like missing half the trip! The incredible and careful way they plan and execute the Tours, leaving nothing to be missed and with stays / sleeping without anything to point out, the gastronomic experiences, the light and close way of being and the chosen locations that welcome us with open arms, make the days worth two! Vietnam is a fantastic country to visit and even more to photograph, with wonderful people who welcome us in a humane and warm way. But Momentlives and their team make us miss this country even before we leave. And that's also what I so want to return to!

My family and I truly enjoyed "The Vanishing Craft of Making Fish Traps" photo tour. I think limiting the participants into small groups is really ideal and it became an exclusive tour for us. All of us, especially my daughter who is starting to learn photography, learned a lot from James. He also communicated very well and had good rapport with the locals in the village. The ride was comfortable as well, so it was a really a good experience.

We spent yesterday on a photography tour with Momentlives visiting the handicraft villages outside Hanoi, and it was, without question, one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of our entire trip to Vietnam. From beginning to end, the day was exceptionally well organised, thoughtful, and deeply enriching. What truly set this experience apart, however, was our guide, James. He is an extraordinary young man—kind, patient, creative, and genuinely passionate. His knowledge of photography was impressive, and he shared it generously, offering guidance that was both practical and inspiring. At every moment, he was attentive without ever being intrusive, allowing us to develop our own creative vision while gently refining it. But what made the day truly special went far beyond photography. James connected with us in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. Over the course of the day, we shared meals together—first a simple but absolutely delicious noodle dish in a small local café, and later a beautifully prepared and presented lunch in a private dining room. These were not just meals, but moments of connection. Through conversation, James shared the story of his family and his country with warmth and sincerity. His love for Vietnam is evident, and it added a depth to the experience that we had not anticipated but will never forget. It is also clear that Momentlives operates with a deep respect for the communities they work with. The connections James had with the villagers were genuine, and we felt privileged to be welcomed into these spaces—not as tourists, but as respectful observers and participants. The experience felt intimate, thoughtful, and ethically grounded. We left the day with beautiful photographs, but more importantly, with a sense that we had been part of something truly special. These are moments we will carry with us long after we leave Vietnam. If you are considering a photography tour in Hanoi, do not hesitate—this is an experience of the highest quality, and one we cannot recommend highly enough.

Momentlives gave me one of the most meaningful travel experiences I’ve had in Vietnam. It didn’t feel like a typical photo tour—it felt real, intentional, and deeply rooted in culture. Every location had a story, and every moment felt genuine. I walked away not only with photos I’m proud of, but with a much deeper understanding of the traditions and everyday life in Northern Vietnam. If you’re someone who values authenticity and wants more than just “pretty photos,” this experience is 100% worth it.

Ten days travelling with the ABOVE PAR team of #momentlives_photography has been a lesson in culture, heritage, photography, hospitality, courtesy, caring, new friendships and above all an eye opener! We learnt, we absorbed, we walked, we talked, we drank endless cups of Vietnamese coffee. The eye for detail, for planning, for authentic local experiences, for Vietnamese food gastronomies - momentlives_photography team could not have planned it better! We leave with full hearts, full cards, full of coffee and new friendships. Will go back to Vietnam with momentlives_photography in a heartbeat!

If you are looking for an organized, professional, and ultimately rewarding photography tour in Vietnam, look no further than Momentlives. This experience, focused heavily on the incredible craft village of Hanoi, exceeded every single expectation we had. The entire operation was flawlessly managed from start to finish, setting a gold standard for photographic expeditions. The level of organization and professionalism demonstrated by the Momentlives team was truly world-class. The logistics were ironed out perfectly, allowing us to spend maximum time behind the lens and zero time worrying about transport, access, or scheduling. We managed to capture so much of Hanoi's craft village. The places chosen were absolute gems. The photographic subjects were genuinely priceless, offering authentic and visually stunning opportunities. A special and necessary commendation must go to our leader, Son Trieu. Son's leadership, deep local knowledge, and keen eye for perfect compositions were invaluable. He not only guided us to breathtaking spots but also provided thoughtful technical advice tailored to each moment, significantly enhancing our ability to create powerful images. Momentlives provides a premium, deeply insightful, and expertly led photo journey. Highly, highly recommended.

If you want the best photos in your portfolio, look no further. Mike guidance and relationship with locals will give you the most authentic experience for shooting portraits and will help you with composition technique and lighting. I have learned so much from this workshop that my photography has 10x since then. I’d encourage you to pick this village because of the disappearing craft, it is time to shoot now or never!

This was one of my favorite days in Vietnam; it was a fantastic photo tour. Son and James provided us with a lot of information while we walked around the village where we got a glimpse into the lives of the local villagers and their craft. We were invited into people's homes and Son translated questions/answers so we were able to have conversations with the local people and learn about their stories. Obviously the photography portion was fantastic; Son helped us with composition, lighting, and finding props to enhance the scene. I never felt rushed, you can take your time to compose and experiment with different shot opportunities. But my favorite memories are the stories from the local people.

Son Trieu is a really experienced and knowledgeable guide, the trip was organized really great and we got to learn a lot of great information about the culture of Vietnam. He also got great ideas about different angles of photography and gave valuable suggestions. Had a really good time with my family, will definitely recommend it to friends!

We had a wonderful trip with James, visiting a fish trap village, pottery making village, and rice paper village. We started with an early morning pick up, crossing a river on a ferry in the dark and walking around the village as it woke up. James was very knowledgeable, and village people were incredibly welcoming and kind. The photo opportunities just jumped out at us at each village! We had a wonderful experience. I would certainly encourage you to talk in advance with the leader so that you can customize your experience as we did.