Booking Process for Áo Dài Photo Shoots at Gạo Nâu - A to Z

TL;DR (60 seconds)

From contacting Gạo Nâu to receiving your photos, the booking flow has 7 steps: (1) consultation, (2) package selection + date confirmation, (3) 30% deposit, (4) Áo Dài fitting before the shoot if your schedule allows, (5) the shoot based on your selected package, (6) priority photo selection right after the shoot, (7) final photos and all original files delivered within 2 hours. Book via Phone / Zalo / WhatsApp (+84) 365 038 831, deposit 30%, heavy rain gets 1 free reschedule, and cancellation more than 48 hours before the shoot gets a full refund.

The 7 Detailed Steps

Step 1 - Consultation (1 day)

Contact channels:

• Phone / Zalo / WhatsApp: (+84) 365 038 831 (working hours 8:00-20:00 ICT)
• Email: [email protected] (response within 4 hours)
• Online booking: gaonau.com/vi/contact (response 1-2 hours)
• Facebook Messenger: gaonautravelphotography
• Instagram DM: @gaonautravelphotography

You need to provide:

• Expected shoot date (give 2-3 options)
• Number of people (solo / couple / family / group)
• Desired concept (regular Áo Dài / historical costume / pre-wedding / bridal Áo Dài)
• Estimated budget (if any)
• Preferred language of communication (vi/en/zh/ja/ko/hi/ru - Gạo Nâu serves 7 languages)

You will receive:

• 2-3 package suggestions matching your budget + concept
• Clear quotation (see price list)
• 1-3 suitable landmark suggestions (see top locations)
• Available time slots within your chosen 2-3 days

Step 2 - Package Selection + Date Confirmation (1 day)

After receiving suggestions, you need to confirm:

• Specific package ($99 / $139 for single sessions; $229 / $389 / $339 / $519 for Vietnam Glow-Up Day — refer to price list)
• Date + time slot (morning 6:00-9:30, afternoon 16:00-18:30, studio 9:00-17:00)
• Specific landmark (1-3 locations depending on package)
• Outfit #1: which Áo Dài color tone do you want? (Gạo Nâu prepares suitable options from 200+ Áo Dài + historical costumes)
• Makeup: will you do makeup yourself, use makeup included in Vietnam Glow-Up Day, or add basic makeup +$39 to a single session?

Special cases:

• Out-of-town customers (Đà Lạt, Phú Quốc, Sapa, Hội An): should confirm early so Gạo Nâu can arrange the local crew and route
• Customers wanting Nguyễn Dynasty costumes (Áo Nhật Bình, Áo Mãng Bào): should send size and concept notes when booking
• Pre-wedding: should be confirmed early because it needs detailed concept planning; 1-day pre-wedding starts from $799

Step 3 - 30% Deposit (1 day)

Deposit amount: 30% of the package price you confirm. Current listed prices include $99, $139, $229, $339, $389 and $519; the remaining balance is paid according to booking instructions after the shoot.

Deposit payment methods:

1. VND bank transfer:

- Vietcombank - Account number: (contact for official account number) - Account holder: GẠO NÂU PRODUCTION HOUSE - Description: "Coc [customer name] [shoot date]" - e.g., "Coc Nguyen Van A 25-05-2026"

1. Cash USD/EUR/JPY/KRW/CNY at studio 351/45 Lê Văn Sỹ
2. PayPal: 4% surcharge (for international clients)
3. Wise / Western Union: per sender's fee

After deposit:

• Booking confirmation received via email + Zalo/WhatsApp message within 1 hour
• Your slot is locked - no one else can book that time
• You receive a "calendar invite" link to add to your phone calendar

Step 4 - Áo Dài FittingStep 4 - Áo Dài Fitting (1-3 days before shoot)

Why fitting is needed beforehand:

• Vietnamese Áo Dài is tailored to fit - not generic S/M/L sizing
• Ensures the garment fits properly, with the right tail length (too short looks awkward, too long gets in the way)
• Confirm primary outfit + 1-2 backup options
• Try accessories (headdress, conical hat, flowers, necklaces) to visualize the concept

Fitting schedule:

• Location: Gạo Nâu studio (351/45 Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường Nhiêu Lộc, Q3)
• Duration: 30-60 minutes
• Timing: usually 1-3 days before shoot (Mon-Sat, 9:00-19:00)
• Can be skipped if international clients arrive in Sài Gòn for only a few days - we prepare suitable options from 200+ Áo Dài + historical costumes based on the size you send in advance

Tips from Gạo Nâu:

• Come to fitting without makeup - to better imagine color tones against your real skin
• Take selfies of each sample to compare
• Bring the shoes you'll wear on shoot day - Áo Dài tail length changes significantly with shoe height
• Ask Gạo Nâu's makeup artist which lipstick matches your chosen Áo Dài tone

Step 5 - The Shoot (60 minutes to 7-8 hours depending on package)

24 hours before the shoot:

• Gạo Nâu sends a reminder via Zalo/WhatsApp
• Confirms meeting location + weather
• Sends Google Maps link to meeting point

Shoot day - you need to prepare:

• Arrive at meeting point 10 minutes early
• Bring ID/Passport (if paying deposit in cash and need an invoice)
• Bring personal drinking water
• Hair washed clean (no styling needed - Gạo Nâu will style)
• Clean nails (no loud polish if photographing hands)

During the shoot:

• Makeup artist does makeup (30-45 minutes) before going to landmark
• Change outfit + final garment check
• Shoot at landmark - photographer guides each pose
• Assistants warn of traffic, hold items, provide water
• After each outfit, photographer shows photos for real-time review

Gạo Nâu crew size:

• 1 main photographer
• 1 makeup artist (per package)
• 1 assistant (holds garments + watches + serves water)
• Pre-wedding only: +1 accessory specialist + 1 props handler

Step 6 - Select Priority Photos Right After the Shoot

What you do:

• Review quick images during the shoot to mark face angles, poses and color tones you like
• Confirm the photo count for your package: 15 photos for the 60-minute session, 25 photos for the 90-minute session, 30 photos for Vietnam Glow-Up Day half day, 50 photos for Vietnam Glow-Up Day full day
• Repeat any immediate-use needs such as social posts, family sharing or document use

Why this step matters:

• Helps the photographer retouch in your preferred direction
• Shortens waiting time after the shoot
• Keeps final photos and all original files on track for 2-hour delivery

Step 7 - Receive Complete Photo SetStep 7 - Receive Final Photos + All Original Files Within 2 Hours

You receive:

• Final retouched photos: 15 / 25 / 30 / 50 photos depending on selected package
• All original files included: free for your own archive
• Private download link: sent after the shoot for saving and sharing

Delivery formats:

• High-quality JPG
• All original files included
• Photo prints: not included - Gạo Nâu can connect you to trusted print labs if needed

Delivery time: within 2 hours after the shoot, with no separate express fee.

Remaining Payment

Remaining Payment

• Timing: within 24 hours after the shoot, before receiving complete photos
• Amount: 70% of package price remaining (after 30% deposit deducted)
• Method: bank transfer or cash
• VAT invoice: request before payment

Timeline Summary Table

Step	Duration	Who
1. Consultation	Same day	You ↔ Gạo Nâu CS
2. Package selection + date	Same day	You ↔ Gạo Nâu CS
3. 30% deposit	When confirming the slot	You
4. Áo Dài fitting	30-60 min if schedule allows	You + stylist
5. Shoot	60 min / 90 min / 4h / 7-8h depending on package	You + Gạo Nâu crew
6. Priority photo selection	Right after the shoot	You + photographer
7. Final photos + all original files	Within 2 hours after the shoot	Gạo Nâu retouching
8. Final payment	According to booking instructions	You

Total photo delivery time after the shoot: within 2 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I book at short notice? A: Yes if slots are available. However for weekends + holidays, we recommend booking at least 7 days in advance for more time slot and outfit options. Pre-wedding requires 21 days in advance.

Q: International client not in Sài Gòn yet - can I book online? A: Absolutely. Deposit via PayPal/Wise/international bank transfer. When you arrive in Sài Gòn, we pick you up within a suitable service area or you come to the studio. Áo Dài fitting can be skipped if time is tight - we prepare options from 200+ Áo Dài + historical costumes based on the size you send in advance.

Q: Is a contract required? A: Service contracts (digital, signed via email) are required for:

• International clients (require visa/tax documents)
• Corporate clients (require VAT invoice)
• Pre-wedding (quality commitment + photo copyright)
• Regular individual clients: no contract needed - just confirm booking via message.

Q: I don't speak Vietnamese - is that OK? A: Completely fine. Gạo Nâu serves 7 languages: Tiếng Việt, English, 中文, 日本語, 한국어, हिन्दी, Русский. Choose your preferred language when booking so the crew can prepare the right guidance.

Q: Can I switch photographers if not compatible? A: You can request a specific photographer if you've reviewed their portfolio (sent via email during consultation). During the shoot, if styles don't match, we'll adjust pose guidance based on your feedback. Switching photographers mid-shoot isn't possible, but for next sessions you can request a different person.

Q: Can I shoot outside business hours? A: Yes. Golden hour for Áo Dài falls on 6:00-8:00 morning and 16:30-18:00 afternoon - these ARE within Gạo Nâu's business hours. For special hours (night, after 21:00, before 5:00 morning): possible with +30% package surcharge.

Q: Already deposited but need to cancel unexpectedly - is there a refund? A: Refer to reschedule / cancel policy. Summary:

• Cancel more than 48 hours before the shoot: full refund
• Cancel within 48 hours: 30% deposit is retained
• Heavy rain: 1 free reschedule
• If Gạo Nâu cannot arrange a suitable new slot: 100% refund

Book Now

Phone / Zalo / WhatsApp: (+84) 365 038 831 Email: [email protected] Studio: 351/45 Lê Văn Sỹ, Phường Nhiêu Lộc, TP.HCM Online booking: gaonau.com/vi/contact Working hours: Monday - Sunday, 8:00 - 20:00 (Vietnam time, UTC+7)

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This process applies from 2026. Gạo Nâu reviews the process every 6 months. Last update: 2026-05-19.