When we went to Cambodia and Vietnam last October, we hired guides in each area we visited.  We hoped to have guides that could show us each area from a photographers point of view.  Though there were a couple locations that did not meet expectations, Hoi An in South Vietnam was one of the winners.  We had hired a general guide for the region of South Vietnam, but had heard of Etienne Bossot and his tours of Hoi An and also arranged for a day with him.

Etienne is a professional photographer that settled in the Hoi An area after he fell in love with it.  He speaks fluent English (so we could talk to him easily), and fluent Vietnamese (so he could talk to the locals easily).  He knew the area and the local people, and several times convinced a colorful local person to pose for us.  The photograph above is one of the images we got with his help.

Even since that trip, I have told anyone going to that portion of Vietnam to look him up.  Today I heard that he is starting some wider tours of Laos, North Vietnam,  and Central Vietnam (where Hoi An is, and where we met him).

His prices are very reasonable, and his expertise will make your tour something to remember.  I cannot recommend him too highly.

His website for these new tours is just coming online, so you might want to check back as you prepare for your own trip to the region.  For now though, be sure to check out his main page at:

http://www.etiennebossotphototours.com/

His morning sunrise tour in Hoi An is one of his tours that we took and loved.  You won’t find a better use of $29 anywhere in your camera bag!

http://www.hoianphototour.com/our-tours/morning-sunrise-tour

And, for the record, I am not receiving any compensation for this or any other recommendation on this blog.  I am raving about Etienne only because I felt he gave world-class value for the time and small cost involved.