Travel Tips - Anyone

I am planning on taking a trip out of the country soon and needed some travel tips on what I can and can not do or take out of the country. I have never travelled outside of the country before so any tips you have please let me know. I am traveling to South Korea and Vietnam so if there is any where I can take pictures or tips please let me know. I also am concerned about what I can take pictures of without getting my equipment taken away......Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you need to buy a Lonely Planet and join a couple of travel forums. You will get good general advice through that route. usually, you will need to avoid airports, military and Government buildings, etc. All common sense stuff but you do need some specific advice for each country.

I've never been to S. Korea, but I have been to Vietnam and many other places in Asia. As mentioned, you're best not to try to take pictures of things military, but you probably won't see any of that anyway. Shoot away. Generally Americans are more worried about "privacy" and what they can shoot than people in Asia are. Smile at people and they'll often warm right up. Shoot pictures of a kid and show the results on your camera screen, then you'll have 20 kids to shoot. Get off the main streets into the quiet areas of town and observe life. You'll find more than enough to shoot.

If your trip doesn't already include some time in the countryside, hire a driver and get yourself out of the city for a day. Wander some villages. Poke your way along the berms in the rice paddies....

Okay, now I wish I were back there. Have fun. I'm jealous.

Bring lots of gear and insure it so you don't have to worry about it.

GPR1 wrote in post #5059576
I've never been to S. Korea, but I have been to Vietnam and many other places in Asia. As mentioned, you're best not to try to take pictures of things military, but you probably won't see any of that anyway. Shoot away. Generally Americans are more worried about "privacy" and what they can shoot than people in Asia are. Smile at people and they'll often warm right up. Shoot pictures of a kid and show the results on your camera screen, then you'll have 20 kids to shoot. Get off the main streets into the quiet areas of town and observe life. You'll find more than enough to shoot.

If your trip doesn't already include some time in the countryside, hire a driver and get yourself out of the city for a day. Wander some villages. Poke your way along the berms in the rice paddies....

Okay, now I wish I were back there. Have fun. I'm jealous.

Thanks for the tips and I can't wait to visit myself. I have traveled all over the U.S. but never to asia so it will be both exciting and interesting for me. The only thing I am not preparred for is the long flight since I am use to only five hour flights across the nation but even after 5 hours in a plane I want out. I have to either try to sleep the most I can on the flight or find something else to do for 14 hours .

Ed 718 wrote in post #5053938
I am planning on taking a trip out of the country soon and needed some travel tips on what I can and can not do or take out of the country. I have never travelled outside of the country before so any tips you have please let me know. I am traveling to South Korea and Vietnam so if there is any where I can take pictures or tips please let me know. I also am concerned about what I can take pictures of without getting my equipment taken away......Thanks in advance.

Travel light..I've been tripping around Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand since 2004..I now live and work in Laos..

I use a 350D and a Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 and find this combo great for travel photography..Don't carry a pile of gear,,it smacks of "rich tourist" making you a target for thieves..I carry my gear in a well used non-photographic backpack..Carry your gear as cabin luggage on the plane..

When in Vietnam never shoot anything military and never anyone in uniform..People in the rural areas don't usually mind you taking their photos but in cities like Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City they will often demand payment..The ethnic group people in the villages will get a kick out of you taking their pics but could ask you to buy some of their wares..Children always warm up to the camera before adults do but be careful photographing too many kids for obvious reasons..

North Vietnam is drop dead beautiful especially around Sa Pa in the far north west and Ha Long Bay east of Ha Noi..Hue and Hoi An on the coast are lovely too..

I spent 3 weeks travelling through Vietnam via trains..Night trains are brilliant and cheap..Be sure you buy a "soft sleeper" ticket which is an airconditioned cabin with 4 bunks..An over night ticket should cost you around $25US..Take some food on board but a drinks cart with beer comes around regularily..Beware of Aussies on the night trains,,they will encourage you to drink copious amounts of beer and have you party well into the night..

Jurgen
Laos

Jurgen my only concern is really theivery of my equipment. Am I safe to even take my camera body and lenses or should I take a simple point and shoot. I don't want my camera to get stolen or worse confiscated from me.

Hmm, Jurgen, that's funny that you mention being able to take pictures of kids easily. I was in Vietnam last year, and in most places (especially the North), children had been taught to hide their face as soon as they see a camera, since they want money in exchange, and you can just forget your picture if you don't pay!That was especially true in Sapa (Hill Tribes people) and in any rural place. I had no problems taking pictures of people in towns though, quite on the contrary...
If you get a chance, Ed, try Hoi An and Hanoi (the old town) for gorgeous pictures of old buildings. And Sapa and Halong Bay for the scenery...

Personally, I would avoid the heavy camera equipment. It's just to much effort worrying if it's going to be stolen or what.

Oh, by the way, stay away from monkeys!!! I got viciously bit by some, and had to get rabies shots for a full month! I still have the scar from the one who bit me 18 months ago! They WILL bite if you don't give them whatever they want...

Have a great trip!

Sylvia

For the flip side of the coin:

I traveled throughout Vietnam with my 1Dmk2, several L lenses and the like, and never once worried about my gear being confiscated or stolen. I carried it an a bag that didn't look like a camera bag, but most of the time the mk2 was around my neck with a 24-70 on it. I was not exactly incognito. My 10 year old son carried my 10D with some L lens, and no one bothered him. I did find the kids in cities easier to shoot, but if people don't want their pictures taken, they'll cover their faces or turn their heads. Just smile and move on. If you're wandering the streets or fields, people are not likely to bother you. Even when I was wandering alone at night no one bothered me.

I spent a year living in China in 2005-2006 and traveled throughout SE Asia during that time. I never had a problem. I was also glad I carried all that heavy gear, because I got shots I wouldnt' have otherwise. I'd say take your good camera, not a P&S. You don't want to come back regretting the shots you missed, unless you plan on going back again sometime soon. This is especially true in many places throughout Asia, that are changing so fast. You can go back next week and a place will be different.

Good points Greg exactly why I would hate to miss a perfect shot using the P&S camera. I'm gonna simply get a good backpack rather than use my regular camera bag. I can only image what shot I can get with my Wide Angle lense. I would not expect to get the same results with a small point and shoot. I won't be back anytime soon either so I better make the best of it.

sylvia_dg wrote in post #5067257
Hmm, Jurgen, that's funny that you mention being able to take pictures of kids easily. I was in Vietnam last year, and in most places (especially the North), children had been taught to hide their face as soon as they see a camera, since they want money in exchange, and you can just forget your picture if you don't pay!That was especially true in Sapa (Hill Tribes people) and in any rural place. I had no problems taking pictures of people in towns though, quite on the contrary...
If you get a chance, Ed, try Hoi An and Hanoi (the old town) for gorgeous pictures of old buildings. And Sapa and Halong Bay for the scenery...

Personally, I would avoid the heavy camera equipment. It's just to much effort worrying if it's going to be stolen or what.

Oh, by the way, stay away from monkeys!!! I got viciously bit by some, and had to get rabies shots for a full month! I still have the scar from the one who bit me 18 months ago! They WILL bite if you don't give them whatever they want...

Have a great trip!

Sylvia

Sylvia,,,this demanding money for photos has only come into play the last few years..When I was in Vietnam in 04 & 05 it wasn't a problem..Went back in 06 and bingo it was like someone sent out a newsletter on how to deal with tourists..Funnily enough it doesn't happen in Laos or Cambodia..

Jurgen

Well, I am about 6 weeks too late...

Here is a very comprehensive blog entry regarding Korean photography law:
http://metropolitician​.blogs.com …5/07/a_note_abo​ut_ko.html

I get to go to Korea this summer for 3 weeks. I plan on purchasing my first DSLR sometime soon. I can't wait!