Private Tour

Into the Thieves Market Hanoi Photo Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Expect many street photography opportunities, with the market’s shopfronts, stalls and narrow alleyways providing a constant selection of frames. The friendly traders and other locals also make for willing portrait subjects, and this is a great opportunity to work on your approach to people photography. Deep in the bazaar, sunlight filters through the overhead awnings, giving your pictures a unique atmosphere. Changing light conditions both environmental and artificial, and objects moving through the cramped alleys, make exploring ISO, aperture and frame speeds a priority.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

None

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Professional Photographer Guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Hai Ba Trung

No-one knows exactly how long the ‘Sky Market’ or ‘Thieves Market’ has been in existence, but it has an immortal feel to it. Tiny stalls cram next to each other, selling everything under the sky, from motor parts to timber, spices to vintage electronics. That’s the reason for the first name. But traditionally, people also stop here first if looking for anything that’s gone ‘walkies’, giving it the second title. All of this makes it a great place to get lost with your camera - a shadowy bazaar full of faces and strange offerings, afternoon sunlight streaming through the make- shift roof. The myriad stalls and alleyways provide readymade frames for decisive moments, and we’ll even wander into a century-old colonial HQ, now converted into a pensioners’ ping pong club. Along the way, you’ll put together a photographic story of life in one of Hanoi’s most fascinating markets.

4 hours • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Into the Thieves Market Hanoi Photo Tour

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

10 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great Photography Walk/Tour
h2nzy,
Mar 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A very unique way to experience more of the unknown side of Hanoi. Tung was a great guide and photographer, the areas we walked around were very interesting. With the highlight definitely being the ping pong/table tennis hall. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or even someone just wanting to learn about Vietnamese culture and take some photos, I’d highly recommend this tour. The lunch was great afterwards as well!
Local market for real local people
Timothy F,
Jun 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This is the first time I’ve taken any sort of photography tour so I did not know what to expect. My tour guide Brian was great as he told me some historic background of the thieves market and the neighborhood. He also took me to places where I would not dare to go by myself and snapped some nice shots. Besides showing me around the places, he also gave me some tips of my camera settings that improved my shots. I’d recommend anyone who visit Hanoi to take one of Vietnam in Foucs tour.
Amazing Trip with VIF
jamesrB3581KD,
Apr 4, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My father and I did a custom week-long tour with VIF and it was spot on. They were knowledgeable, very flexible, and responsive during the planning process. Most international photo trips have some kind of hiccup(s) but it was all smooth sailing with VIF which allowed us to focus on enjoying our time, instead of problem-solving or being stressed. Our guide, Hoang Viet Nguyen, was kind, talented, compassionate, and fun to be around. Ultimately, these folks know what they're doing and it shows. Thank you for the beautiful tour of Vietnam!
A fantastic introduction to street photography as a genre.
Funky B,
Jan 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A fantastic introduction to street photography in a fascinating location, professionally delivered by our guide, Tung Phan. Despite less than perfect weather we were able to get some great images of a part of Hanoi not frequented by many tourists. Our guide gave us both technical advice and composition suggestions. Thanks to his knowledge and rapport with the local residents and businesses,he enabled us to shoot with freedom, subjects and locations which would have otherwise have been out of our comfort zone. We would highly recommend the tour to anyone interested in street photography.
INTO THE THIEVES MARKET
alecsB750SN,
Dec 29, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I was gifted a tour with ‘Vietnam in Focus’ during a recent visit to Hanoi. My schedule was pretty tight, and after a little discussion with the team, I settled on the ‘Thieves Market’ tour with Brian - but as a vegetarian, I opted to skip the Wet Market parts. That wasn't a problem, my guide, Brian, replanned in such a way that I didn't even know I was missing anything. Brian picked me up in the morning, we had a quick coffee, talked about experience levels and aspirations and then hit the market. From the first moment, we were spotting great shots, and Brian enabled me to work with various stall holders to capture images without feeling like I was intruding. When you step into the market, you immediately feel like you're ‘right in there’ but Brian just led me down ever smaller alleys, into quiet squares and all manner of locations I wouldn't have found in a week. If you're a street photographer, travel photographer or a portrait photographer there is so much great content, and the challenge quickly becomes knowing when to stop and move on. For me though, the real highlight was the table tennis club - it was a gold mine of characters, action, light and texture. Once again, Brian got me into the location and was known and trusted by those playing there - that meant I was free to be as creative as I liked and could maximise my time. Throughout the whole tour Brian gently guided me through the market, taking photos alongside me, helping me see possibilities, and challenging my ‘go to’ tendencies. We talked about Hanoi, Vietnamese culture, traditions, and expectations - it quickly felt like two friends going out and exploring with cameras! When we did wrap up, I suddenly realised how intense the experience had been - 4hours of constantly seeing pictures left me feeling pretty exhausted, but excited to start editing. I can't recommend ‘Vietnam in Focus’ enough - whether you only have a few hours or a couple of days, they'll work with you to maximise the opportunities.
Great tour
187785Antonio,
Dec 29, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beautiful tour, perhaps a little short but beautiful. Whoever accompanied us was excellent. We visited a table tennis club. Thrilling
Deep culture dive
cebarnwell,
Oct 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Photographer and guide were amazing, every detail polished. Great locations for photos. I did a number of tours around Vietnam, Saigon and Mekong Delta. Great planning, great experience.
Great tours, individual and unique
MirjamKR,
Aug 25, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
In total, I booked 3 tours with Vietnam in Focus. The Thieves' Market tour and HANOI EXPLORER. There was also a sunrise tour in Hoi An. All 3 are definitely recommended. The Thieves' Market and the surrounding area are great! Outside of the tourist areas. Great, lots of motifs and a lot of fun Whether it was playing table tennis, going to the market, workshops, backyards,... It had everything. Tung, photojournalist at VIF, was great, he showed me new attitudes and, as a local, was able to talk to people a lot and make a lot of things possible for me. He knew great places and ideas. He was on all 3 tours Vietnam in Focus is highly recommended, whether you are a photographer, hobby photographer or tourist. They take a lot of time, explain everything to you and you have a lot of fun!
An authentic photo experience
bytecruncher,
Jul 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I got to go to the explore the Thieves market as the last part of a custom tour which included the lychee harvest and night markets. My guide for this part, Tung has a lot of knowledge about the area and knows how to interact with the locals. He also brought a lot of photography experience and helped me find new compositions in places I found difficult to work in. Even though I have lived and explored Hanoi for a few months, he could still show me some more hidden corners that I wouldn't have found by myself. I have been on multiple tours with ViF now and have yet to be disappointed by them.
Amazing access to life on the backstreets of Hanoi
Anthony G,
Apr 2, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I toured the Thieves Market with Brian. This tour was one of the highlights of my time in Vietnam. Brian is not only an exceptional photographer, but he knows many exciting things about life in Hanoi. He is excellent with the locals. I aimed to get intimate images of the locals in their small shops. Because of Brian, the locals received us warmly and didn't mind us photographing them. Some asked to be photographed and invited us to sit and have tea. Everyone I met on this tour was warm and welcoming. I got some great images and can't thank Brian enough for this beautiful tour!