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All reviews

Review Author: Merry Tan
Review Date: 26 Sep 2025
Review Body: Trekking from Sapa to Ta Phin Village – A Memorable Experience! Despite the rain, we had a fantastic trekking experience from Sapa (starting at the Pistachio Hotel) to Ta Phin Village, guided by an excellent local guide, Sung Ah Su. The journey took us through breathtaking landscapes—lush rice terraces, quiet paths, and small ethnic minority villages that offered a real sense of Northern Vietnam's rural life. Su was knowledgeable, kind and patient throughout the trek. The pace was well-suited to our group, with plenty of time for photos, breaks and interaction with local villagers, especially the children. Their faces lit up when candies and chocolates were offered to them. The trek ended with a Red Dao herbal bath in Ta Phin Village—an absolute must after a day of walking! It was relaxing, authentic, and a perfect cultural touch to wrap up the day. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Sapa. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, this easy trek offers a great balance of nature, culture and relaxation. A big thank you to Su for making it so memorable!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jena
Review Date: 21 Mar 2026
Review Body: We could have not known Sapa more if not for this trekking experience. Just make sure your group is physically capable of walking for hours (~13 km) before booking this. Our local guide, San May, has been wonderful. She shared a lot about the villages/tribes and answered our questions well (she converses well in English). My friends and I are not exactly used to being active but San May has been bery considerate to match our pace and take breaks when any one of us need it. We also enjoyed our lunch at Ochau Cafe - good food and coffee while overlooking the rice terraces. Then finished off the trek by a hot relaxing herbal bath 🩵
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Monique
Review Date: 27 May 2026
Review Body: This trek was a highlight of my entire visit to Vietnam. San May was absolutely incredible. She truely gave us the local tour taking us through rice fields, rice farms and into the mountains through trail paths. She even got local farmers to let us have a go at planting rice. She is so intelligent and kind. She gave us incredible insight into the Red Dao people and culture and the way she could just find herbs and fruits on the side of the road that they use for medicine was remarkable. The herbal bath was an amazing experience as well but meeting San May was the highlight.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Ina
Review Date: 13 Aug 2026
Review Body: I had a wonderful day with my guide Ta Me. She asked me in the beginning if I prefer the longer or shorter route and explained the difference in scenery. We took the longer trek, it was absolutely beautiful. It was adventurous, crossing rivers, walking through the bamboo forest and of course walking through the rice fields. The herbal bath at the end of the trek was so special, I‘ve never experienced anything like it. The amenities were pretty and I felt so relaxed after the bath. Thank you Ta Me for this unforgettable day.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Ina
Review Date: 14 Mar 2025
Review Body: We did a lovely trekk in the ricefields in Sapa with our amazing guide May. May told us about her life in the village around Sapa and took us through a lovely 6 hour trip through rice fields, villages and a bamboo forest, with a nice scenic lunch and a soothing herbal bath to end of the day. Sapa is such a nice and calm city in vietnam, where you can truly experience the calmer side of vietnam.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Cath
Review Date: 26 Sep 2026
Review Body: San May was exceptional and made my last day in Sa Pa so memorable. she speaks English so well and is extremely knowledgeable and chatty! you will learn a lot about the region’s culture, and the scenery is stunning. lunch was also very good. Red Dao herbal bath at the end of the trek is a must :) I will definitely be looking for San May again next time I come to Vietnam..
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Kirsty & Tim Rolph
Review Date: 10 Mar 2026
Review Body: Our guide, San May, was fantastic. She arrived on time to pick us up and explained our route options. She was chatty and knowledgeable and funny. Her English was excellent. Everything about the day was great - the route, the food and view at the lunch stop and the herbal bath at the end. À really great experience made better by the lovely San May! Thoroughly recommend.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: R X Wang
Review Date: 18 Apr 2026
Review Body: San May took us along for a beautiful hike along the many villages and was always eager to share insights about her everyday life (even small survival details like edibles and poisonous plants)! The day was gloomy but she was always bright and positive, and made us feel safe throughout the 12km journey. Thank you San May :)
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Priscilla
Review Date: 29 Jul 2024
Review Body: Our guide, Sue, was very knowledgeable. He would explain the different crops and seasons for growing. Even though it was raining lightly throughout the trek, we still got good views. It was gorgeous just being in nature. I also added on the bath option which was so good after all our walking. Good meditative experience!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Tara
Review Date: 18 Mar 2026
Review Body: We did a 9km trekking tour and finished with a herbal bath. Su was a great guide who explained us a lot about the history and politics of Vietnam and the hmong and red dao ethnic groups. The scenery was beautiful and we were almost completely alone on the track. The herbal bath is a special, but really hot experience.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Yian
Review Date: 25 Sep 2026
Review Body: May was wonderful. She’s friendly and always made sure to include everyone throughout the tour. She also showed us a lot of plants and herbs that are used as medicines by the Red Dao people. The trek was really fun and well-paced. The herbal bath at the end was the cherry on top.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Chris
Review Date: 30 Nov 2024
Review Body: We came during a week that Sa Pa was shrouded with clouds but it cleared up just in time for our trek and it was the highlight of our trip. We had a great time trekking through the fields and seeing the villages outside of Sa Pa with May. Thanks for the memorable experience!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: João Amaral
Review Date: 09 Oct 2025
Review Body: Everything. The tour was very complete, we had a lot of different experiences such as hiking through different types of grounds, lots of sightseeing, lots of knowledge sharing regarding local cultures, a bamboo forest and in the end the Red Dao bath was chefs kiss. Amazing.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: CSF
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: Our host was terrific. She spent several hours with us describing the daily lives of the community in the area. Excellent English and we really were thrilled to meet folks in a village, enjoy a really great meal, and have an herbal bath. A fun and educational day overall.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Yoshi
Review Date: 28 Apr 2025
Review Body: Easy communication and great guide! The hike itself was quite long, and I wouldn't recommend choosing the hard route on a rainy day - it can get pretty muddy and slippery! But despite that, the views were gorgeous and the food and red dao bath were both great.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Angelina
Review Date: 30 May 2024
Review Body: Discover the secrets of the Red Dao + herbal bath: We had a fun day walking from Sapa to Suoi Ho and Ta Phin. The lunch stop was good and the views amazing! The herbal bath was a neat experience even on a hot sunny day. Thank you Su for a great day :)
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Chee Soon
Review Date: 03 Jan 2026
Review Body: Su was a very good guide. He was very knowledgeable and was able to provide personal context about life in the village in Sapa, and the broader historical and political background of Vietnam. The included lunch was simple, and delicious.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Marie
Review Date: 26 Jul 2024
Review Body: We had a great trekking experience with Su :) the booking process was super easy, Su contacted us via SMS, during the trail he told us a lot about the region, history, traditions and culture. The herbal bath was our little highlight :)
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Julie
Review Date: 10 Mar 2025
Review Body: May was a great guide. We had a wonderful time trekking through nature and the different villages. Saw a ton of animals and beautiful landscapes. Learned a lot. Great meal included as well. Can’t wait to come back with others.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Shaun
Review Date: 12 Mar 2026
Review Body: Pao was a wonderful guide. It was a great paces tour with delicious lunch. And the herbal bath was a fantastic way to relax at the end.
Review rating: 5

Itinerary

Itinerary Day 1
Itinerary Summary: Rice fields, village exploration, herbal traditions, and cave visit in Sapa.
Itinerary Description: 9:00 AM: Meet up at Sapa town. We will leave the town on a small path to Suoi Ho village. Suoi Ho hides behind the mountain with a small stream and beautiful rice paddies. We will slowly descend into the valley and continue our way on the edges of the rice fields and walk to Ma Tra, a Black H'mong Village. 13:00: We will get to a tiny village called Cang Ngai, one of the Black H'mong villages. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch and taking a short rest at the restaurant, you continue on the way to Ta Phin Village - home to the Red Dao tribe. Our guide will show you around this beautiful village and tell you everything about the culture of the Red Dao people, including their herbal bath traditions and how they are known for their knowledge of herbal medicines. You can choose to take an herbal bath if you wish. Before going back to Sapa, you can choose to pass by a cave. Or else, we will start heading back. 15:00: You'll be back in Sapa.
Woman relaxing in a round wooden healing bath by a window overlooking misty Sapa valley terraces during the Red Dao ritual
Wooden healing bath tubs and wash station in a wooden room, with Sapa mountain views through the windows for the Red Dao tradition
Local guide chopping aromatic leaves on a wooden chopping board, preparing ingredients for Red Dao healing bath in Sapa
Red Dao herbal-foraging guide walks through a lush forest holding collected leaves for a healing bath tradition — Sapa
Wooden healing bath tubs set on tiled floor inside a Sapa farmhouse, facing green hills and valley views in the Red Dao tradition
Travellers seated in wooden soaking bath tubs beside large windows, bathing in a Sapa Red Dao healing tradition
Travellers hiking along a forest track with a Red Dao guide, trekking away from main trails towards Sapa
Woman relaxing in a round wooden healing bath by a window overlooking misty Sapa valley terraces during the Red Dao ritual
Wooden healing bath tubs and wash station in a wooden room, with Sapa mountain views through the windows for the Red Dao tradition
Local guide chopping aromatic leaves on a wooden chopping board, preparing ingredients for Red Dao healing bath in Sapa
Red Dao herbal-foraging guide walks through a lush forest holding collected leaves for a healing bath tradition — Sapa
Wooden healing bath tubs set on tiled floor inside a Sapa farmhouse, facing green hills and valley views in the Red Dao tradition
Travellers seated in wooden soaking bath tubs beside large windows, bathing in a Sapa Red Dao healing tradition
Travellers hiking along a forest track with a Red Dao guide, trekking away from main trails towards Sapa
Hands lift leafy herbs from a woven basket on a wooden table, likely ingredients for a Red Dao healing bath — Sapa
Viewpoint over terraced hills from a mountain path with indigenous guides on a Red Dao healing bath trek — Sapa
Baby soaking in a blue basin of herbal bath water outdoors in Sapa, part of a Red Dao healing bath tradition
Two Red Dao guides and travellers sit at a wooden table for a shared meal after a healing bath tradition trek — Sapa
Travellers with backpacks pose beside a Red Dao-style guide at a village courtyard on the Red Dao healing bath tradition — Sapa
Man relaxing in a wooden Red Dao herbal bath barrel filled with foamy water at this retreat in Sapa
Two travellers smiling on a lookout over the Sapa valley, showing terraced fields, houses, and layered mountain ranges
Two hikers posing on a viewpoint above terraced rice paddies in Sapa, with forested mountains fading into mist
Terraced rice fields winding down misty Sapa mountainside, with footpaths and small huts below under cloudy skies
Three people inspecting herb plants beside garden beds at a rural wooden homestay with lush greenery in Sapa
Person soaking in a round wooden healing bath with white foam, reclined against the tub wall in Sapa
Women relaxing in a wooden bath overflowing with white foam during a Red Dao-style healing bath in Sapa
Group seated for a shared meal at a mountain-view table under a stilted shelter, finishing the Red Dao day in Sapa
Red Dao woman tending a wood fire beside a stone hearth to heat water for a healing bath in Sapa
Smiling Red Dao women welcoming visitors outside a traditional homestay during the healing bath day in Sapa
Trekking guide on a grassy hillside in Sapa, wearing a wide-brim hat and backpack with forest and mountains behind

Discover the Secrets of the Red Dao: A Healing Bath Tradition

Immersive journey to the Red Dao village to discover their traditions
4.9
|130 Reviews
Group size
Up to 20 guests
DURATION
6 hours
Booking type
Private trip
MEET UP
At location
Group size
Up to 20 guests
Learn the age-old wisdom of Red Dao herbs
Experience the Red Dao Herbal tradition, a culture trip outside of Sapa that offers a unique opportunity to visit the Red Dao people in Ta Phin Village and learn about their approach to herbs as medicine. Led by your local guide, you will also have the chance to explore Suoi Ho and Ma Tra villages, where you can witness the daily lives of the Black H'mong people.Don't miss the option to take an herbal bath and immerse yourself in this unique cultural experience (add-on available).What to Expect:Visit the Red Dao people in Ta Phin Village and learn about their herbal bath traditionsExplore Suoi Ho and Ma Tra villages to observe the daily lives of the Black H'mong peopleEnjoy a 6-hour journey through beautiful landscapes and rice fieldsGuided by a group of indigenous guides with deep knowledge of Sapa's ethnic cultureGood to Know:The trek is around 8–9km and is considered easy to moderate, so do wear comfortable trekking shoes.We highly recommend the Red Dao herbal bath after the trek — it’s a wonderfully relaxing way to soothe your body after the journey.If you take the herbal bath, we recommend soaking for around 15–20 minutes only, as the herbal medicine may be quite strong. If you feel too hot, dizzy, or uncomfortable at any point, please get out and rest.Sandals and towels are available at the herbal bath facility for your convenience. Please bring your swimwear and a change of clothes.Red Dao Herbal Baths - A Healing Tradition:Red Dao communities settled in the high mountains of Sapa in the 18th century, bringing their own social structure, language, costumes, and rituals, including health rituals. The Red Dao are renowned for their healing baths, made from medicinal plants foraged in the forest. Each family has its own herbal bath recipe, held by the women in the family and passed from mothers to daughters.

Experience highlights

What You’ll be Doing

Rice fields, village exploration, herbal traditions, and cave visit in Sapa.
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What’s Included

Lunch at a local restaurant
Guided trip
Entrance fees to villages
Transfer back to Sapa from Ta Phin Village

Not included

Herbal bath (add-on available)
Other food & drink expenses
Shopping expenses
Tips to your guide
Transportation to the meet-up point

Available Add-ons:

Red Dao Herbal Bath (Per Person) (265.384đ)
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Who you’re supporting

community_based

Community Champion

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Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 27 Sep 2026
Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Meet-up at Sapa Town Square(Sapa Square Sapa, Vietnam)
  • 15 mins before selected timeslot
  • Notes: Their guide will meet you in Sapa town. If you request a different meet-up point (your hotel in Sapa, Sapa Church, or Sapa Bus Station), please let us know in advance.

End Point

  • End at Start Point(s)

Start & Ends

Daily
09:00AM - 03:00PM

Suitability / Accessibility

  • Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)

Cancellation & other policies

  • Cancellation

    Cancel 24 hours before activity for a full refund
  • Extenuating Circumstances Policy

    For travelers or tourists, in the event that their flight is canceled and they need to cancel their reservation, a 50% refund will be provided, provided they inform us 24 hours before the trip date, and a proof of flight cancellation is required.

What to Pack

  • Comfortable trekking shoes
  • Hat
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Raincoat
  • Sunscreen
From
398.077đ
/person
4.9(130)
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Meet your host

Su and his team are indigenous guides who were born and raised in Sapa. They love taking visitors off the busy trails, onto trails that only they know about. They will make you feel like you have experienced Sapa's ancient and deeply mountainous ethnic identity. Their trekking expertise will show travellers the real Sapa and the culture of its ethnic people.
Experience: 9 years
Speaks: Basic English, Fluent English
Acceptance rate: 95%
Top Rated Host
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