Ho Chi Minh City photoshoots
Ho Chi Minh City photographer, flying in from Singapore
S$300 for a half day of 4 hours or S$500 for a full day of 8 hours, plus a fixed S$300 for my return flights from Singapore and two nights’ stay. Colonial buildings, street life, hidden cafés and ao dai photos, all close together in District 1. All photos sent on the spot. English and Mandarin.
How it works
Send me your dates
Tell me your dates in Ho Chi Minh City, where you’re staying and the places you’d like to shoot. I check my availability and suggest a plan for the day.
Book with a 50% deposit
The deposit confirms your date and lets me book my flights. You don’t need to arrange anything for me.
I fly in
It’s under two hours from Singapore. I arrive the day before your shoot and fly back the day after.
Your photoshoot
4 or 8 hours. Most spots are a short walk or Grab ride apart; you arrange the rides and I come along.
Photos on the spot
Pay the balance after the shoot and I transfer all the photos to you on the spot.
Where we can shoot
City Hall and Nguyen Hue
The yellow French colonial City Hall (People’s Committee Building) at the top of Nguyen Hue walking street is Saigon’s classic backdrop. Nearby are the Opera House, the café apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue and plenty of wide open space for walking shots.
Colonial streets and landmarks
Yellow walls, green shutters and white balusters all over District 1: the Central Post Office, Book Street, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the pink Tan Dinh Church, plus old buildings on quiet tree-lined streets.
Street life and cafés
Red plastic stools, graffiti shutters, flower stalls and hidden cafés full of plants, up narrow stairs in old apartment blocks. This is where Saigon feels most like itself.
Ao dai photos
Wearing an ao dai, Vietnam’s long silk dress, with a conical hat is a favourite. Ao dai rental shops are easy to find in District 1, or bring your own.
More tips, timing and a one-day route in my Ho Chi Minh City photoshoot guide.
Half day or full day?
Almost everything is close together in District 1, so even a half day goes a long way. In 4 hours we can cover City Hall, Nguyen Hue, the Post Office and a café or two; a full day fits 8–10 spots. For a half day, early morning or late afternoon gives the best light. For a full day, Saigon is hot, so we usually start early for the landmarks in soft light, take a long break in a café over midday, then shoot the streets and cafés in the afternoon until the golden light. With two days, we can add an ao dai shoot, the Saigon River or a day trip.
Pricing
| Package | Shooting fee | Flights + 2 nights’ stay |
|---|---|---|
| Half day · 4 hoursUp to 4 hours of shooting · all photos sent on the spot | S$300 | S$300 |
| Full day · 8 hoursUp to 8 hours of shooting in one day · all photos sent on the spot | S$500 | S$300 |
| Each extra dayAnother full day of up to 8 hours, e.g. an ao dai shoot or a day trip · no extra hotel cost | +S$500 | — |
The travel fee covers my return flights from Singapore and 2 nights’ stay; there’s nothing else to pay for me. Local transport during the shoot (usually Grab) is arranged by you. 50% deposit to book; balance paid after the shoot, then all photos are transferred on the spot.
What's included
- 4 or 8 hours of shooting, at as many spots as we can reach
- A fixed travel fee for my flights and stay, no surprises
- Planning the route and timing for the best light
- All photos transferred to you on the spot, once the balance is paid
- Gentle help with poses the whole time, in English or Mandarin
Questions
How much does a photoshoot in Ho Chi Minh City cost?
S$300 for a half day (4 hours) or S$500 for a full day (8 hours), plus S$300 for my return flights from Singapore and 2 nights’ stay. Each extra full day is S$500, with no extra hotel cost.
Who pays for transport in Saigon?
You arrange local rides, usually Grab, which is cheap and easy in Ho Chi Minh City, and I come along. My flights and stay are covered by the fixed S$300 travel fee.
When do we get the photos?
On the spot. Pay the balance after the shoot and I transfer all the photos to you straight away.
Can I wear an ao dai for the photos?
Yes, it’s one of the most popular looks. You can rent an ao dai and conical hat from shops in District 1, or bring your own. We can also change outfits during the day.
What if it rains?
Saigon’s rainy season is roughly May to November, and the rain usually comes as a short, heavy shower in the afternoon. We shoot outdoor spots in the morning and keep the cafés for later, so rain rarely stops a shoot.
Do you shoot elsewhere in Vietnam?
Yes, including Hanoi, Da Nang and Hoi An. Send me your dates and destination for a quote.
Going somewhere else?
I also travel for shoots in Penang, Bali, Phuket, Hanoi and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. See Bali photoshoots →
Going to Saigon soon?
Send me your dates and where you're staying, and I'll check my availability.