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Homestay guide

Homestays

These are a great way to see the local culture of northern Vietnam. Most homestay’s are family run on land they previously used for farming. Many families still farm small plots - usually rice, corn and the vegetables they need to be self sufficient. This is what you often find on the days menu. Farming is a way of life rather than just a job so homestays are a great way to connect. Without middlemen too we are directly funding the community.

Choosing a homestay

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This is a very old and traditional style of building that was turned in to a homestay i Ha Giang.

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This is a more modern homestay in Sapa. Wood is the traditional construction material of choice.

Homestays have improved a lot in recent times with competition so things like Wifi are now at nearly every location. Breakfast’s and supper’s are usually communal and a great way to meet other explorers if you are travelling alone or with a partner.

If you seriously want to go upmarket - there are the lodges. These are essentially modern hotels with extra wood on the sides to give it that organic look. Lodges often have amenities like swimming pools / saunas / on site masseuse and obviously higher end food and drinks.

One top tip - homestays own and run by the original landowner tend to be more fun. They have more stories to tell, and often the food is all homegrown. Of course if you prefer the larger homestays that have more people so you can meet other explorers, or just a wider range of facilities - then that is fine too.

Sleeping arrangements

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Some of the private rooms can be quite large. Wood finishing is favoured by a lot of homestays.

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A private room in one of the more modest homestays. Mattresses are soft as per western preferences.

Depending on which homestay we are at and the level of remoteness dictates the facilities available. They fall into 3 categories.

• Private rooms - This is where we stay for much of the tour. We have personal connections to all the places we stay & we like to support businesses that are part of our ethnic minatory tribes. We also get breakfast and supper here.

• Private bungalows - This is a little more rare occurrence, but you get a little piece of paradise to yourself! Breakfast and super are provided here as per usual at the homestay.

• Dormitory room - This is popular with backpackers where many friends all wish to stay in the same room. Interestingly the cost difference is not that much compared to a private room, so we usually book those.

Food and drink

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Typical spread of food at a homestay for the evening. Selections may vary depending on what is growing outside on the farm.

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Everyone comes to eat food at the same time. It's a communal thing. Sometimes in the evenings, home made rice wine may make an appearance.

Homestays are known for their fantastic food. When staying overnight we always have breakfast and supper there as well as sometimes popping in for lunch.

• Breakfast - Options include fried rice, fried noodle soup, banh mi (Vietnamese sub sandwich), French style pancakes (crepes) or farmhouse omelette. Breakfast time is usually between 0700-0800.

• Lunch - Often each homestay has a rotating menu depending on locally grown produce. Options include spring rolls, fried pork /chicken with onion and mushrooms, fried / steamed cabbage and other vegetables. Rice and noodles are popular too.

• Supper - Chicken with bell pepper, eggs, pumpkin, sweet and sour pork / beef in a local style. Soup, rice round out the menu. Supper is generally served around 1900.

If you are vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian please let us know beforehand so we can book with the various homestay as pork is a culturally significant part of the diet and thus features in many dishes.

Other food and drinks

Outside of the food supplied for tours, homestays also have a selection of other items to purchase. For drinks there is usually a selection of soft drinks, beers, rice wines, fruit juices and coconut water as well as a variety of tea’s and coffee’s. Western style food may also be available (depending on whats available) but this is usually limited to french fries, burgers, grilled chicken and bbq.

Facilities

Homestay’s today are well appointed with many modern comforts. Nearly all have internet WiFi, showers with hot water and towels included (you may have to turn on an immersion heater before your shower). All homestays have western toilet facilities.