Through the Lens of Phu Yen
Phu Yen is one of Vietnam's best-kept secrets, a coastal province of dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, and stories waiting to be told. In this program, students don't just visit these places. They learn to see them through a filmmaker's eye.
Led by award-winning documentary director François Bibonne, Through the Lens of Phu Yen takes students from the basics of smartphone cinematography to the creation of their own short documentary films, developing empathy, critical thinking, and storytelling skills that matter far beyond the classroom.
Your Mentor
François Bibonne is a multi-award-winning French documentary author, director, and producer based in Hanoi. After studying literature and developing a deep passion for piano, he moved to Vietnam to better understand the country of his grandmother, where he created the documentary series Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam.
His films have been screened internationally, including at Columbia University and twice at Harvard University. Most recently, he premiered Part II in Hanoi with the National Film Society in attendance, alongside ambassadors, influencers, and other dignitaries.
Why Filmmaking?
When students step behind the camera, they stop being passive observers and become active storytellers. Filmmaking mirrors the experiential learning cycle naturally: students capture footage, reflect during playback, and refine their work through active experimentation.
Through visits to coastal landscapes and fishing villages, students learn to tell human stories while developing empathy, cultural awareness, and critical thinking. In a digital age, understanding how every camera angle and interview question shapes a narrative is one of the most valuable skills a student can build.
Day 1
Morning: Arrival in Tuy Hoa, transfer, and check-in. Students settle in with a program orientation and introduction to filmmaking, covering the basics of storytelling, framing, and smartphone filming techniques before being divided into filming teams.
Afternoon: The group heads to Nghinh Phong Tower for their first filming session, capturing landscapes and peer activities while practicing framing and movement shots.
Evening: Dinner followed by a group sharing session where students reflect on their first day behind the lens in a "My First Shot" discussion.
Sample Itinerary
Day 2
Morning: The day begins at sunrise at Bai Xep, where students practice filming natural light, motion, and atmosphere while developing their cinematic eye.
Afternoon: The group visits Ganh Da Dia for storytelling sequences and an introduction to interview techniques.
Evening: Village visit where students film daily life and conduct short interviews with local community members, followed by a footage review and feedback session.
Day 3
Morning: Students visit a local fishing village for documentary filmmaking, capturing people, culture, and daily activities while practicing their interviewing skills with community members. This is one of the most immersive mornings of the program, placing students directly inside a living, working community and asking them to listen before they film.
Afternoon: The group visits Mui Dien Lighthouse for environmental storytelling through video and group filming project development.
Evening: Sunset filming followed by group work where students begin building their short film narratives.
Day 4
Morning: The group visits Cau Go Ong Cop, Vietnam's longest wooden bridge, for a sunrise filming session and final footage gathering to complete group projects.
Afternoon: Editing session using mobile apps. Students finalize their short films before presenting them in a group screening, followed by a feedback and reflection session, and departure.
Reminder: Every school trip is unique! We’re happy to tailor the trip length, activities, and accommodations to match your school’s needs and learning objectives.
Contact us to create a personalized educational travel experience for your students!
