Boarding a plane for Sapa, Vietnam is an adventure in itself, but in our experience, time at a homestay beyond well-trodden tourist trails remain a treasured highlight.
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| Photo by Sapa Tours From Hanoi |
Other than staying in a traditional hotel, staying with locals in a village homestay is worth considering things to do in Sapa if you want a real local experience. This will be an extensively different and unique experience as ethnic people carry a significantly special and distinctive culture.
5 top reasons to spend a night or two at a homestay in Sapa
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| Photo by Sapa Tours From Hanoi |
1. Get to know the locals
Each of Sapa’s ethnic groups is unique and often very different to the majority Kinh Vietnamese. Staying with a family of any ethnicity gives you an insight into their daily life; ethnic minorities also have their own languages and traditions. Many homestays offer a program of cultural activities for guests, ranging as remedial herbal baths. Even more rewarding are the glimpses into local culture you get through unstructured interactions, like shopping at a local market, or flipping through a family album. In Sapa, you'll often find homestay rooms are decorated with gorgeous traditional textiles and costumes.
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| Photo by Vietnam Typical Tours |
2. Home cooked foods
Few things beat a home cooked meal. In fact, food is often considered a language of love; we cook for those we love and share meals with those important to us. Meal sharing at a local’s home has now become a popular option amongst travelers who are looking for a more personal experience. If you’re staying at a homestay though, you can skip the formalities because the hosts will be the one preparing the meals! If you’re up for it, try offering to help them prepare the food or ask them to teach you their recipes. This will help strengthen your friendship and make the experience even more extraordinary. And, of course, you will learn some delicious recipes to take home!
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| Photo by Sapa Tours From Hanoi |
3. Give back to the community
There should always be a fair exchange when travelling; you’ve come a long way to appreciate a country, and its residents are happy to share it with you. Keep this relationship a sustainable one by supporting small communities rather than large corporations.
As well as income for the people or community you stay with, help with daily tasks is not only a valuable contribution, but promises to be a memorable experience.
4. Escape modern life
Many of us spend our lives behind a screen, and while Wi-Fi in Vietnam is unlikely to meet speeds you’re used to at home, you will be able to upload the odd photograph to social media while staying in cities. Homestays in rural areas offer a break from the trappings of modern life; feel your shoulders relax as you set aside your phone and tourist tick-list to join the gentle rhythm of life in the village.
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| Photo by Sapa Tours From Hanoi |
5. See more of the countryside
A village can be a small dot against staggering mountains or brilliant golden terraced fields in Sapa. A night or two at a homestay gives you the opportunity to spend quality time in these beautiful surroundings beyond the constraints of a day trip. Your homestay hosts or a local guide may even show you to some hidden highlights.
A homestay experience might feel like an adventurous leap, but once you’ve settled in to your new room, eaten a fresh meal and had a sip or two of local rice wine, it might be a struggle to leave!
Accumulate memorable experiences in your life with the best Sapa homestay tours:
sapatoursfromhanoi.com/tour-category/sapa-tours/sapa-homestay-tours/
Accumulate memorable experiences in your life with the best Sapa homestay tours:
sapatoursfromhanoi.com/tour-category/sapa-tours/sapa-homestay-tours/
