Normally, we say “what happens in Vietnam stays in Vietnam”… but not this time. Here, we’re spilling all the hilarious, heartwarming, and sometimes muddy truths about our Vietnam photo workshop.
Sure, there’s photography — gorgeous landscapes, vibrant markets, and the mystical rice terraces of the North. But there’s also laughter, birthday surprises, epic fails, and a few unforgettable “oops” moments.
This year, Etienne “E.T.” Bossot from Pics of Asia and I, Régis “Rex” Binard from Asia Travel Photography, had the pleasure of guiding six amazing photography enthusiasts through northern Vietnam. And trust me — it was nothing short of hilarious.
Meet Our International Crew
- Charles “The Climber” from Taiwan – 70 years young, fearless on rice terraces
- Justyna “The Little Sister” from Poland – polyglot guest, camera in hand, and laughter guaranteed
- Jens “Bokeh Master” from Germany – birthday boy and gear addict extraordinaire
- Warwick “Santa” from Australia – tall, bearded, gentle giant spreading hugs
- Jean-Yves “The Instigator” and Dominique “The Adventurer” from Belgium – mischief, mud, and memorable stories
Fun, Fails & Photo Adventures
Jens “Bokeh Master” Birthday Bash & Gear Upgrade
Jens isn’t new to our adventures — he’s a regular, having explored Cambodia, Uzbekistan, and Ladakh.
For his birthday, Jens had a genius idea: ditch his old Olympus (way too sharp — basically a camera that could slice bread) and treat himself to a full-frame Sony with the magical 28-70mm f/2 lens. The creamy bokeh and dreamy shots made it, in his own words, the best birthday gift ever (and yes, he bought it himself because greedy instructors like E.T. and I were unavailable for financing).
He also blew out the candles and had a cake — rice-terrace style! Cameras clicked, laughter erupted in five different accents, and Jens discovered bokeh bliss while frosting covered his fingers.
Charles “The Climber” – Rice Terrace Legend
Charles isn’t new to photography workshops — he’s survived 30 photographers all taking the exact same shot in other destinations in Asia, which he says felt more like a “copy-paste apocalypse.”
Then he met E.T. a few months ago, and everything changed. Suddenly, he learned to connect with people, find authentic moments, and capture unique shots instead of just copying the crowd.
In Vietnam, Charles climbed higher, balanced precariously, and risked a few scrapes for that one-of-a-kind photo. At 70, he proved that creativity beats conformity, and a little risk makes for extraordinary photography.
Jean-Yves “The Instigator” vs. Hmong Rice Wine
Ah, the famous Hmong rice wine. I kept saying “Last one!” — rookie mistake. Jean-Yves, naturally, kept topping me off. The night blurred into laughter and perhaps one too many “last ones.”
The next morning, after a quiet review (Rex was in monk-mode silence), Jean-Yves opened his eyes — literally and metaphorically. Gone were the days of cute-kid snapshots. Suddenly, he was capturing real stories: villagers working in rice fields, intimate portraits, and images with soul.
It was as if the rice wine unlocked his inner photo-magician. By mid-afternoon, we were impressed, slightly jealous, and constantly laughing at his “serious photographer” transformation.
Dominique “The Adventurer” – Mud, Laughter & Rice Terraces
Dominique fell once, fell twice…
then she spotted young fishermen in the terraces and suggested, “Let’s follow them!”
I hesitated. “Are you sure?” But for the perfect shot, we chased them — hopping terraces, slipping in mud, and eventually giving up with mud up to our knees. The kids hopped like rabbits, we laughed like maniacs, and in the end, the fun far outshone any photo we might have taken.
Warwick “Santa” – The Gentle Giant
Warwick isn’t new to adventures — he’s been to Cambodia, Laos, and Ladakh. And as usual, he earns the nickname Santa. Tall, bearded, wearing a red Dzao-inspired scarf from E.T., he could look intimidating, but Warwick is one of the sweetest men you’ll ever meet.
Villagers, guests, and even animals flocked to him for hugs and photos. Honestly, it felt like the entire country adopted him as their friendly Santa. And yes, Janelle, I know you might feel a tiny twinge of jealousy — but you’ll get the full story in Cambodia in December. His heart (and hugs) are clearly big enough for everyone.
Justyna “The Little Sister” – Polyglot Guest Extraordinaire
Justyna wasn’t officially our communications manager — that’s just a running joke — but her presence made a huge difference. She joined as a guest, camera in hand, and quickly became the youngest, most spirited member of the group.
She speaks French, English, and Polish fluently — yet somehow, talking to locals still ended in hilarious chaos. Words didn’t help, gestures didn’t help, but the laughter sure did! Being the youngest, she felt like the little sister I never had, curious, mischievous, and always ready for adventure.
From chasing the perfect light to “laughing” at our dad-jokes, Justyna kept spirits high. She’s photographer, comic relief, little sister, and heart of the group all rolled into one — truly indispensable.
E.T. & Rex: The Leaders Who Keep It Real
Of course, even professional photographers have their moments — and we’re not immune. I, Rex, somehow managed to take dozens of photos of my own feet and the ground — apparently very focused on angles, composition, and… well, gravity.
Meanwhile, E.T., ever calm and composed, quietly fell into a rice field. Not a dramatic tumble, mind you, but enough to leave him slightly muddy yet proud of the shot he didn’t even intend to take.
Yes, we are professionals. No, this is not a joke. Sometimes, the best memories come from the leaders’ own little adventures — proof that even guides can get caught up in the fun, mud, and unpredictable beauty of Vietnam.
And now, on a totally “serious note” (ironic, of course): we never miss a shot. After all, we are the teachers — it’s our duty to show our students how it’s done… even if that means Rex taking a selfie and E.T. proudly presenting his “best shots of the day” — two Hmong women posing with him. Pure professionalism, right?
Memories We’ll Never Forget
Between rice terraces, bustling markets, spontaneous photo ops, and endless laughter, our Vietnam photo workshop was unforgettable. The people — “Bokeh Master,” “The Climber,” “Santa,” “The Instigator,” “The Adventurer,” and “Little Sister” — made the journey magical. Thank you!
Next Stop: Cambodia!
Exciting news! Our shared Cambodia Photo Tour is almost confirmed for 3–14 August 2026. E.T. and I can’t wait to explore hidden temples, villages, and stunning landscapes again. Charles, Justyna, and Jens are already motivated to join, and we hope new friends will come along for another adventure. So, whether it’s rice terraces in Vietnam, Hmong rice wine, or Santa Warwick spreading hugs, these are the stories that make travel photography not just about pictures… but about laughter, friendships, and unforgettable memories.
