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FAQ

Information

Information - FAQ

We have put together a few handy to know things about the north and what to expect on your private tour and to dispel some myths.

What to bring

We recommend you to have some comfortable foot ware that is suitable for trekking. You can buy trekking shoes in Vietnam if you are “travelling light”. Other items to take would be sunblock for the summer months, mosquito repellant and suitable clothing for the time of year that you book. Please check the tour details as you will find the information for the average monthly temperatures, hours of sunshine and rainfall there to help you plan your adventure. Insurance Cover

You are responsible for your own insurance. We are just simple people from the mountains. Make sure that is covered if that is a concern for you, especially if you have health issues.

Accommodation

For the most part we stay at homestays. Depending on which one we are at and the level of remoteness dictates the facilities available. They fall into 3 categories.

• 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 it’s rarely asked for.

• Homestays with 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.

• Homestays with 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.

Riding a motorbike

This is more for if you are staying longer in the northern region and are thinking about renting a motorbike to get around. If you are riding around Sapa town centre or anywhere in Ha Giang - you will be asked for your licence and paperwork by police who are very hot on this. You cant produce the correct licence, a cash fine is issued and they will take the bike. The roads up there are basic at best. Riding on basic roads with little signage with very steep gradients, blind switchback turns and the likes - it really is for your own safety.

Down in the valley there is not same scrutiny. Renting motorbikes there - many of them are in poor condition, poor brakes and bald tyres are common. Riding the steep hills of the valley really puts a lot of wear on the machines. Choose wisely.

Love market

In old times up till the 2000s, the love market was a thing. Getting around was by horse, there were few roads, mostly just tracks or trails. People tended to stay in their own villages for most of the time so the pool of options for romance was limited. To solve this problem the love market was created. This was an event where a few times a year - people could meet from other villages that were looking for a partner.

This does not really exist anymore. Now people have motorbikes to get around and the roads are very good compared to the horse trails of yesterday. There is the internet, smartphones, dating apps, etc. The photos some tour companies use are from 40-20 years ago. Now these love markets are just a tourist shows with some dancing and flute playing.