X-Pedition Hanoi

A Photography Experience That Changes How You See

See More Than a Place — Feel It

If your travel photos end up looking like postcards — beautiful but flat — this workshop is for you.

X-Pedition Hanoi isn’t about ticking off sights. It’s about photographing the soul of a place — the smells, the noise, the rhythms, the people, and the moments that make Hanoi and northern Vietnam come alive. You’ll learn to create images that feel as rich as the experience itself.

This is travel photography built on visual storytelling, taught by photographers who think like journalists but shoot like travelers with heart and curiosity.

Instructor: Ibarionex Perello

Dates: Oct. 24 -Nov. 1, 2026

Location: Hanoi and Tam Coc, Vietnam

Tuition: $4,099*

Seats Limited

Reserve Your Spot

This workshop will change both your photography and the way you see the world. Seats are limited — once we’re full, registration closes.

Sign up now to hold your place and start preparing for Hanoi

SIGN UP

Read our payment and cancellation policy at the bottom of this page.

Who this workshop is for

This experience is ideal for:

Photographers who go beyond technical skill and want meaningful images
Travelers ready to slow down and connect with people and place
Anyone who wants a structured yet immersive photographic journey

Not ideal for:

Sightseeing tours focused on check-off experiences
Photographers only interested in gear talk or technical minutiae

What you’ll walk away with

You won’t just take photos — you’ll come home with:

✔ A deeper visual language
More than light and lenses — an ability to photograph atmosphere, interaction, context, and emotion.
✔ Confidence to shoot with purpose
Travel lighter, see more, and shoot with intention — wherever you go next.
✔ A coherent body of work
Not just shots of places — a photography mini-story of Hanoi, rural villages, craft traditions, and everyday life.
✔ New friendships and shared memories
Work closely with peers who are also serious about their craft.

Why Vietnam — and Why Now

Hanoi is living, breathing photography. Its streets, markets, lakesides, and villages invite connection — not just observation. Life plays out in public spaces where light, movement, and human interaction are everywhere.

This dual base — frenetic city and serene countryside — gives you contrast in both experience and imagery. You’ll shoot under soaring skies, amidst incense smoke, and alongside craftspeople whose traditions span generations.

Have questions? There’s a good chance you’ll find some answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page, here.

Meet Your Guides

Ibarionex Perello

Ibarionex is a photographer, writer, and educator with more than 25 years of experience in the photographic industry. He hosts and produces the acclaimed podcast The Candid Frame, where he engages in in-depth conversations with both established and emerging photographers. He has authored six books including Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography with Available Light, Canon 5D Mark III: From Snapshots to Great Shots, Adobe Master Class: Photoshop, and Making Photographs: Developing a Personal Visual Workflow. More than just a writer, he leads hands-on workshops and online courses—ranging from destination travel sessions like “Tokyo: Embracing the Moment” to online classes such as “Using Your Life to Launch Your Photography”—sharing his workflow around light, line, shape, color and gesture to help photographers shift from taking pictures to making meaningful images.

Thu Lê Hoài

Thu Lê Hoài is a professional photo/video producer and lifelong Hanoi resident. Which means that she, a) understands the needs and priorities of photographers, and b) knows Hanoi and northern Vietnam like the back of her hand. Any seasoned journalist knows that your efficiency when working in a far-flung city is greatly improved by teaming up with a local “fixer,” as such producers are often called. We are very lucky to have Thu serving in that capacity for our program to to Hanoi. If she can’t find it, get it or arrange it, suffice to say she knows someone who can.

A Glimpse of the Experience

During our days together you’ll:

Explore Hanoi’s vibrant neighborhoods and hidden streets
Visit a rural village known for crafting drums
Stay overnight in Tam Coc known for its misty landscapes
Photograph traditional crafts: wood-fired pottery, rice paper making
Shoot during golden light and refine your work through group edits

This blend of city, village life, and personal storytelling moments distinguishes X-Pedition Hanoi from typical photo tours..

What Participants Are Saying

“Bloody awesome. The most unique and interesting cultural and photographic experience ever.”

— Graham Broadbridge, Australia

“I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

— Jim Musumeci, USA

“The value is superb for the experience, friendships, and connections made. The photographs are a treasure but the experience goes way beyond that.”

— Martin Howard, USA

“A world-class experience.”

— Ruud Hoogers, Malaysia

Details

What’s included:

Vietnam entry visa
Airport transfer
Single-occupancy hotel in Hanoi
Daily breakfast + six group dinners
Group transport outside Hanoi
Editing sessions and instruction with Ibarionex Perello

What’s not included:

Airfare to/from Hanoi

Payment and Cancellation Policy

The fee for this workshop is $4,099. Participants can reserve their place in the workshop with a $500 deposit. The balance must be paid in full 120 days before the start of the trip. f8photographic reserves the right to cancel workshop reservations that are not paid in full by the due date.

If for any reason you must cancel your trip, you must do so in writing via email to info@f8photographic.com. The following is our refund schedule:

Cancellation before May 1, 2026: Refund, minus $100 admin fee.
Cancellation before June 26, 2026: Refund, minus deposit, bank/credit card processing fees and any advance, unrecoverable expenses made on your behalf, such as fees for visas.
No refunds are available for cancellations after August 1, 2026.