Review Author: Shaari

Review Date: 31 Aug 2025

Review Body: Brace for a long read... My first interaction and most of my planning conversations for my time in Sapa took place with Mr. Gio, who patiently and responsively answered all of my questions and cleared all my doubts. He was able to help me beyond what was expected and made my (short) time there considerably worry free and smooth. This included helping me out with sorting out transportation (from Sapa to Hanoi after the trek), accommodating some dietary restrictions and with a specific minor issue I faced during my time in Vietnam as well. He went above and beyond! While this experience is meant for Ngu Chi Son, which I was supposed to tackle with Gio's cousin Mr. Chu, we had to divert to Mt. Fansipan (2d 1n) due to unfavorable weather conditions at Ngu Chi Son, and it turned out to be arguably an even greater experience! Mr. Chu was punctual in arriving to pick me up from my hotel on the chosen day and was able to arrange storage of my luggage until my return from the trek. The drive and the formalities prior to trek were short and smooth, and we were able to get straight to it. Chu spoke perfect English and is experienced with the trail enough for you to have total trust in him. Personally I prefer a quieter hike to immerse myself fully, and mostly speak only when we take breaks -for which Chu checks up on periodically, to make sure you're doing alright. He will also stop and take pictures for you as often as you'd like him to as well! On day one, we reached camp 2 in about 6hrs from the start point, including breaks, lunch at camp 1 and short rest stops along the way. It surprised me that Chu was able to cook up some delicious food as well, which made the whole trek feel all the more welcoming, especially at dinner. The next morning we set off for the summit after a simple but filling breakfast, and reached in no more than 3hrs. Overall a great experience that I would recommend to anyone looking to challenge their limits, especially if you are still young and healthy. My sincerest gratitude to both Mr. Gio and Mr. Chu for a truly unforgettable expedition, and a great time in Vietnam.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Henry

Review Date: 02 Dec 2024

Review Body: Chu was a great guide and very much up to the task. The views are spectacular and the accommodation rough yet part of the adventure. The trail is steep and slippery but Chu tackled it with great confidence. Overall an amazing experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Celeste Sui

Review Date: 03 Jun 2026

Review Body: Mae Pham was a wonderful guide that took us trekking through two different villages in Sapa. This was the highlight of our trip as we chose to take the “off-the-beaten-path road” (though there’s an easier option on the main road for those who needs it!) We walked through villages, rice fields, river crossings etc and it was is peaceful just observing locals live their day to day life without any tourists groups around us! In fact we only saw small groups of tourists at the beginning of our tour before completely being alone. Spotted some cute wildlife insects and farm animals along the way as well. The 5km passed super quickly and we ended the day with lunch which was delicious. Note that drinks are not included so bring some cash! Good thing that the car picks us up at the restaurant cause girl the hike back up looked intimidating. Make sure to wear covered pants and hiking shoes as it gets rocky and slippery (after a day of rain)! A rain jacket would come in handy as well cause it kept drizzling while we were there in May. We also booked this tour pretty last minute (1-2 days before) and the operator was kind enough to help us change the date because the weather was unpredictable and it was rainy the initial day we booked it for.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Joyce Ocampo

Review Date: 01 Oct 2024

Review Body: My tour guide, May Sieu, was very cheerful and pushed to give me a great experience despite the strong rain and mist. She drove very carefully and was attentive to my comfort. She took me to scenic spots that were still breathtaking despite the thick fog, and took many pictures of me while I was enjoying the views! Her sense of humor and stories kept me entertained all throughout, and I quickly forgot how freezing it was. She took me to a great local spot for lunch (it was delicious!!), and gave me a brief but educational tour through the Lao Chai village. I also appreciate how she steered me away from destinations that would be dangerous in rainy weather. Overall, her company and the bike ride itself gave me a pleasant memory of the O Quy Ho Pass and Lao Chai village. She also gave me tons of ideas for future trips to Sa Pa. Highly recommended! I'll definitely be back! 🥰

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rachel Cortez

Review Date: 10 Nov 2025

Review Body: This was an absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish! Pang Cho and Gio greeted me with a beautiful fire in the fireplace and delicious local tea. We chatted a bit by the fire. Then Pang Cho showed me all the ingredients and expertly guided me through making the meal with Gio and her. We made pumpkin soup, stir fried greens with garlic, sauteed bamboo with garlic, bbq pork, bbq pork & enoki mushroom kabob, tofu with green onion & tomatoes and amazing pork & mushroom spring rolls. This was all served with steamed rice from their rice fields. Everything was so fun to make and absolutely delicious. Gio and Pang Cho are extremely kind, friendly and generous people who make this such a special time. This was definitely the highlight of my trip to Vietnam! Note - I am an omnivore but if you have other dietary needs, they can easily accomodate.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Adrienne

Review Date: 28 Mar 2025

Review Body: This cooking class was a wonderful experience for me and my two teenage kids. Gio and his wife opened their home and opened our eyes to life for the Hmong people. The cooking class was secondary to our conversations around the fire, meeting their family (mother, brother, nephews/nieces) and sharing a feast with everyone. The intimate evening filled our cups with joy and was a perfect way to begin our time in Sapa after an overnight train ride. Practical notes: Both Gio and his wife are friendly, warm and have a good grasp of the English language so communication was easy. They live just off the main road at the end of the valley. The pick up and drop off was seamless.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Vivien

Review Date: 05 Aug 2025

Review Body: I loved everything about this cooking class! Exactly how I hoped it would be - cooking with a local family in their home, having dinner with not only the couple that did the cooking class with us but with the whole family, sharing stories. Even tho not all family members spoke English we felt a connection and found a way to communicate at least a little bit :) Not to forget the food was amazing, we were able to help preparing it and they were able to accommodate for vegetarians and asked for allergies. I can highly recommend this class if you’re looking for a authentic and wholesome experience that will make your tummy and your heart happy!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jennifer Parker

Review Date: 24 Mar 2026

Review Body: My husband and I did an easy rider tour of the Muong Hoa Valley with our guide Thao Thi Giang and another driver. She was lovely, and we learned so much about rice farming and the different ethnic groups. We had a delicious lunch in a family home, and Thao was happy to stop wherever we wanted, so we could take pictures of the spectacular views. Both drivers were competent, which is important since some of the roads are pretty rough. Being on the back of a motorcycle was truly a great way to experience this area!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Christina and Wally

Review Date: 31 Mar 2025

Review Body: Mrs Chi was a wonderful guide. She speaks excellent English and told us a lot about the Hmong way of life. We learned how to do batik which was fun but our efforts left a lot to be desired compared to the expert grandmother next to us. Her work is exquisite and made us realize just how much painstaking work goes into the patterns. Everything, walking through the villages, chatting with Mrs Chi, watching the children play with their tops, the batik, the lunch, was thoroughly enjoyable experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Priscilla Tor

Review Date: 17 Oct 2025

Review Body: Driver May Sieu is a considerate and caring person. She drives safely and constantly look out for passenger. I felt the tour is not just catered to my preferences but she would share more of her knowledge on the places we visited, the culture and make the visiting interactive with people we met. It gave me much rich appreciation of how people do life and interconnect with one another. I highly recommend her as guide to anyone.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anna

Review Date: 25 Sep 2026

Review Body: Our guide Tung was patient, attentive, and took the time to explain in detail all aspects of daily Hmong life. From how indigo is made, to how rice is harvested and ground, to how incense is produced. The trek was suitable for my older mother, the lunch was delicious, and overall we had a wonderful experience with a local person who shared their culture with us. The tour operator was also super accommodating with us.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tim Flower

Review Date: 22 Apr 2025

Review Body: We had an amazing trek with May, visiting the local villages and getting the opportunity to understand how hemp is made and died and then being able to have a go at weaving it. We also learnt about how rice is harvested and processed and had a go a making cornmeal. The villages were beautiful and it was topped off with a lovey lunch at GIÁY culture restaurant (Nhà Hàng Văn Hoá Giáy).

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Clara

Review Date: 19 Feb 2025

Review Body: We‘ve had an amazing time at the cooking class!! They were both so sweet and kind and explained a lot about the food and traditions in Sapa. We’ve made our own fried spring rolls and helped cutting vegetables for the other dishes. The food was so so delicious!! Definitely on of the best experiences in Vietnam so far. Would totally recommend.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: France Nguyen Vincent

Review Date: 30 Mar 2025

Review Body: A wonderful experience on this gentle walk, discovering villages of the different ethnic communities of the area and their beautiful crafts. Even though the weather was not the best for expensive views, sunny or not, the tour was really worth it and we loved supporting this small a truly local enterprise :)

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Debs

Review Date: 28 Sep 2025

Review Body: Did a short walk through Lao Chai and Ta Van villages in Sapa this afternoon. I visited Sapa 11 years ago. It's changed tremendously since then, so I peppered our guide Ghi with many questions and she answered them all patiently, and with much insight. Grateful for the wonderful conversations.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Chantal Jakobi

Review Date: 06 Sep 2025

Review Body: The cooking course was really great! We cooked with a lot of fresh vegetables from their garden. The couple was the sweetest ever! It felt like we were staying with them as a family. They also ordered a pick up and we booked a sleeper bus with them to get back to Hanoi. 10/10 would recommend

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Magdeline

Review Date: 22 Nov 2025

Review Body: The was the best experience we had in Sapa. I highly recommend including this in your trip. Gio and Pang Cho were so fun, the cooking lessons is suitable for everyone. We had a great time drinking the local rice wine too. The most delicious food of our entire Vietnam trip, and the best hosts!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Mon

Review Date: 05 Nov 2025

Review Body: Hu was a great local guide. He spoke excellent English and was really knowledgeable about the area. We saw so much beautiful scenery. His dad who was driving one of the bikes had a kind and gentle way about him, we felt very comfortable in their company and had a great day out exploring.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lorena

Review Date: 29 Mar 2025

Review Body: We loved the whole experience: May Pham is an amazing guide! She showed us beautiful landscapes and explained us very interesting things, such as how they grow rice and dye fabric. Then, we had lunch in a local restaurant: everything was delicious. I would definitely recommend this tour!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Elisha

Review Date: 17 Jul 2025

Review Body: We had a wonderful time with the lovely May Pham for this trip! She was great, the sights were beautiful and we loved learning about the history of the place. The lunch was also brilliant and we were so well catered for with our dietary needs (gluten free and vegetarian)!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Trekked to Ta Giang Phin, enjoyed views, local food, and overnight campout

Itinerary Description: 7:30 AM: Meet your local guide at your hotel or Sapa Church. If you have large luggage, you can store it at our designated shop in Sapa. After a brief introduction, we'll drive directly to Ta Giang Phin village (Ngu Chi Son commune) to start the trek. 9:00 AM: Arrive at Suoi Thau in Ta Giang Phin. Meet your porter, warm up, and begin the hike to Ngu Chi Son camp site. Enjoy panoramic views of Ta Giang Phin valley and the surrounding jungle. Lunch will be served along the trail. 12:00: The group rests and enjoys lunch, then continues the journey. You will have opportunity to enjoy the local food and charge energy in the jungle with beautiful landscapes and view. 4:30 PM: Reach the camp site. Relax, have a hot cup of coffee or tea, and prepare for dinner. If the weather is good, you can enjoy the coffee and enjoy the view or support the porter to make your own dinner with BBQ or Hotpot 6:00PM: The group enjoys dinner together, enjoy a steaming hot pot and sip local wine together with other members of the group and the porter. And spends the night in a wooden hut equipped with blankets, pillows, and insulated mats.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Summit hike, sunrise views, medal celebration, descent, return to Sapa

Itinerary Description: 5:30 AM: Wake up, freshen up, and have breakfast. Prepare for the summit climb by packing only essentials like water and hiking sticks, leaving your main backpack at the wooden shack. 6:30 - 7:00 AM: Reach the summit of Ngu Chi Son after a 2-hour hike. 8:00Am: Reach the summit of Ngu Chi Son,enjoy the stunning sunrise and panoramic views (weather permitting), take photos, and enjoy the breathtaking views from the mountaintop, receive your medal, and celebrate with the team. After spending time at the summit, return to the camp for lunch. 11:00: Return to the wooden camp, pack up, have lunch, and continue the descent. 3:30 PM: Arrive back in Sapa. Tour ends.