Clay & Limestone
A Two-day Journey Into Stories of Craft, Culture and Landscape
Embedded Files
ABOUT CLAY & LIMESTONE
“Where the Earth Takes Shape, and Mountains Become Mirrors — The Connection Between Culture and Nature.”
The “Clay & Limestone” trip is a two-day, one-night photography journey covering about 156 kilometers from Hanoi to Ninh Bình.
Our route takes us from Hanoi to Gia Thủy Pottery Commune, where students will explore a traditional craft village and document the artistry behind handmade ceramics. From there, we travel to Tam Cốc – Bích Động, known for its peaceful river landscapes and ancient pagodas nestled in limestone mountains.
On the second day, we visit Vân Long Nature Reserve, a tranquil wetland often called the “non-wave bay,” to capture reflections, wildlife, and the harmony between people and nature — before heading back to Hanoi.
This journey combines culture, craft, and landscape, offering young photographers a chance to see Vietnam through a new lens and tell their own stories along the way.
OUR GOALS
Develop independent travel skills as a photographer — learn to observe, explore, and tell your own stories through images.
Gain a deeper understanding of Vietnamese people, culture, and traditions through real-life experiences in craft villages and historical sites.
Discover yourself through photography — learn to listen, feel, and capture moments from your own unique perspective.
Nurture a love for culture and nature, while building respect and meaningful connections with local communities.
GIA THUY POTTERY
GIA THUY POTTERY
"Gia Thủy pottery originates from the traditional craft village of the same name, located in Nho Quan District, Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam. The village was established in 1959 by potters who migrated from Thanh Hóa, and over the past 60 years, they have built a distinctive cultural and artistic legacy."
This type of pottery is renowned for its use of a special golden-brown clay found only in the local area. The clay is exceptionally fine, highly cohesive, and possesses outstanding heat resistance.
Unlike many other pottery styles in Vietnam, Gia Thủy pottery is typically unglazed. Each piece is fired continuously for three days and three nights, resulting in products that are remarkably solid and durable—almost as strong as steel. During the firing process, natural “fire glaze” streaks appear on the surface, giving each piece a unique, earthy, and authentic character.
Gia Thủy pottery is known for its simple, traditional designs, focusing on everyday household items such as jars, pots, teapots, and earthenware cooking vessels.
Photo credits: David Hobby
TAM CỐC - BÍCH ĐỘNG
TAM CỐC - BÍCH ĐỘNG
Ninh Bình Province is an exceptionally captivating destination in northern Vietnam, often referred to as “Ha Long Bay on land.” The region is famed for its breathtaking scenery — majestic limestone mountains rising dramatically from tranquil rice fields and poetic, winding rivers.
Tam Cốc :
A highlight of Tam Cốc is the two-hour boat journey along the Ngô Đồng River. Local villagers row small bamboo boats — many using their feet — gliding gently past vast rice fields that shimmer in shades of green or gold during harvest season, and through three magnificent natural limestone caves: Hang Cả, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba.
The trip offers visitors a breathtaking view of a majestic karst maze, where water and mountains blend into one — creating an unforgettable harmony between nature and tranquility.
Bích Động:
Bich Dong is a stunning complex of ancient pagodas built along the slope of Ngu Nhac Mountain. The complex consists of three separate temples — Lower (Hạ), Middle (Trung), and Upper (Thượng) — each constructed at a higher elevation up the mountain. The Middle and Upper pagodas are partially built inside natural limestone caves, creating an atmosphere that feels both sacred and mysterious.
The entrance to the pagoda complex is marked by a graceful stone bridge spanning a serene lotus pond, offering a tranquil, meditative setting that perfectly reflects the harmony between spirituality and nature.
Photo Credits: Duc Nguyen
VAN LONG NATURE RESERVE
Vân Long Nature Reserve is the largest wetland conservation area in northern Vietnam’s Red River Delta. Located in the northeast of Gia Viễn District, Ninh Bình Province, it is often called the “bay without waves” for its mirror-like calm waters and serene landscape.
The entire area is surrounded by magnificent limestone ranges, forming a natural panorama that is both poetic and majestic — a perfect harmony of water, mountains, and sky.
Since opening to visitors in 1998, Vân Long Nature Reserve has become one of Vietnam’s key tourist destinations. In 2010, it was recognized by the Vietnam Records Book Center as the site with the largest population of white-shanked douc langurs and the largest “natural painting”. Officially designated as a nature reserve in 1999, Vân Long was later listed as Vietnam’s 9th Ramsar site in 2019.
Nicknamed the “bay without waves,” its waters lie perfectly still like a mirror, reflecting the majestic limestone ranges in a scene reminiscent of a traditional ink painting. Prominent peaks include Mèo Cao, Mâm Xôi, Hòm Sách, and Cô Tiên. The water in Vân Long is not deep blue but crystal clear, revealing layers of green moss beneath the calm surface, creating a unique, poetic beauty unlike anywhere else.
Photo Credits: Duc Nguyen
ĐỒ DÙNG NHIẾP ẢNH
WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR SHOULD I BRING?
MÁY ẢNH
Bất kỳ máy ảnh DSLR hoặc Mirrorless chuyên nghiệp nào (Sony, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus…) từ phân khúc tầm trung đến cao cấp đều phù hợp.
_ _ _
Any DSLR or mirrorless camera including Sony, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Olympus, and others from mid-range to high-end models is suitable.
ỐNG KÍNH
Các lựa chọn ống kính linh hoạt: 18-55mm (kit lens), 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 hoặc f/4, 24-105mm f/4.
Ống kính chụp chân dung: 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8.
Ống kính tele: 70-200mm f/4 hoặc f/2.8.
_ _ _
Flexible lens options: 18-55mm (kit lens), 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 or f/4, 24-105mm f/4.
Portrait lenses: 50mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8.
Telephoto lenses: 70-200mm f/4 or f/2.8.
PHỤ KIỆN
Dụng cụ vệ sinh: Khăn không sợi, bình xịt khí nén, bộ vệ sinh cảm biến,…
Thiết bị chỉnh sửa ảnh: Laptop, iPad, điện thoại.
Phần mềm chỉnh sửa ảnh: Lightroom (nếu có), Darktable (cho Windows), Darkroom (cho Mac), Snapseed (cho điện thoại / máy tính bảng)…
Phụ kiện cần thiết:
• Đầu đọc thẻ nhớ
• Pin máy ảnh dự phòng
• Thẻ nhớ (tối thiểu 64GB)
• Bộ sạc: sạc pin máy ảnh, sạc điện thoại, sạc laptop…
Chân máy (nên có): Sẽ có những cơ hội chụp phong cảnh và chụp thiếu sáng, nên chân máy sẽ rất hữu ích.
_ _ _
Cleaning tools: microfiber cloths, compressed air blower, sensor cleaning kit, etc.
Image editing devices: laptop, iPad, smartphone.
Photo editing software: Lightroom (if available), Darktable (for Windows), Darkroom (for Mac), Snapseed (for mobile/tablet), etc.
Essential accessories:
Memory card reader
Spare camera batteries
Memory cards (minimum 64GB)
Chargers: camera battery charger, phone charger, laptop charger
Tripod (recommended): There will be opportunities for landscape and low-light photography, so a tripod will be very useful.
PHÍ THAM GIA HÀNH TRÌNH: 4,485,000 VND / NGƯỜI
Ưu đãi học phí còn 3,450,000 VND cho cho các bạn học viên thân thiết của EcoVentures & nhóm đăng ký từ 03 bạn trở lên.
MỨC PHÍ NÀY ĐÃ BAO GỒM:
Vé xe di chuyển Hà Nội - Ninh Bình.
Phí lưu trú trong suốt chương trình
Các bữa ăn sáng & ăn tối trong suốt chương trình (bữa ăn trưa do học viên tự chi trả)
Chi phí di chuyển & thăm quan các địa điểm trong suốt chương trình
MỨC PHÍ NÀY CHƯA BAO GỒM:
Học cụ học viên (máy ảnh, lens, pin dự phòng, thẻ nhớ, laptop…)
Bữa trưa trong ngày. Bữa ăn này cho phép học viên tìm kiếm & lựa chọn món ăn địa phương đặc trưng. Đoàn sẽ lựa chọn điểm đến dựa trên thống nhất của học viên & thầy cô.
ĐỊA ĐIỂM: NINH BÌNH
THỜI GIAN: Từ ngày 25/10 - 26/10 (2 ngày)
ĐỐI TƯỢNG: Các bạn từ 14 tuổi trở lên. Ưu tiên các bạn đã có trải nghiệm chương trình "Nhiếp ảnh mùa hè".
NGÔN NGỮ GIAO TIẾP: Tiếng Anh
HÌNH THỨC: Học qua trải nghiệm & thực hành dựa trên kiến thức đã có.
TEAM ĐỒNG HÀNH
DUC NGUYEN
PHOTOGAPHER / INSTRUCTOR
BRETT THOMPSON
PHOTOGAPHER / INSTRUCTOR
HOAI THU
FIXER / PRODUCER / LOGISTIC
"HÀNH TRÌNH VẠN DẶM BẮT ĐẦU
"HÀNH TRÌNH VẠN DẶM BẮT ĐẦU
TỪ MỘT BƯỚC CHÂN"
TỪ MỘT BƯỚC CHÂN"
Hy vọng hành trình này sẽ là những bước chân đầu tiên cho nhiều cuộc hành trình hiểu biết & đầy cảm xúc của bạn.”
Thông tin, hỗ trợ, đăng ký tham gia chương trình, bố mẹ vui lòng liên hệ Ecoventures.vietnam@gmail.com
Hoặc cô Thu : +84.912.995.991
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse