Review Author: EL

Review Date: 26 Nov 2025

Review Body: My husband and I did a private trek from Sapa to Hau Thau Village with a guide named Qi from the Black Hmong community. Qi was very friendly and taught us about local agriculture and traditional Hmong customs. Her English was limited but we were able to communicate just fine. A few things to be aware of before going on this tour: - there were two ladies who followed us for 2 hours, trying to guilt us into buying stuff. Many of the other tour groups we saw had the same thing happen to them. I don’t know if this is avoidable regardless of the company you choose. Before the ladies finally left, they got quite aggressive and said, “we have been walking walking with you all day. Buy something.” When we declined, they walked off angrily. Again, I think this is a problem that may not be avoidable - This tour is good for cultural facts about the Hmong. I recommend going to the Sapa Museum (it’s free) before doing this tour so you have the big picture context first - The “local family dinner” that we paid extra for was a family-style dinner with guests of the homestay — not a meal with a local Hmong family. I spoke with Zizi about if afterward and it was just lost in translation situation. But I was expecting dinner with a local Hmong family. My husband and I had a good laugh about this mix up, and enjoyed our meal, but you should set your expectations appropriately! Overall, it was nice to have someone lead us from village to village and share surface-level facts. I do also like knowing that we supported a Hmong-owned and run business.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Wei Quan

Review Date: 02 Apr 2025

Review Body: Phenomenal experience doing the rice Paddy trek with Zizi Homestay. Our local guide was Bau, who was very knowledgeable and helped us take photos. She also knew all the good photo spots and taught us some Hmong language. Lunch provided was delicious. Could also pick up some very unique marble/stone sculptures a long the trek at a special shop in Lao Chai village. Some other local ladies helped us through some of the muddy/slippery areas of the trek - we helped them out by buying some scarves/hats. Our shoes were super muddy after the trek, but all in all a great experience. Better make sure you have proper hiking shoes or boots with good grip, may only be suitable for much older kids like older teenagers considering the trek difficulty. Thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ina

Review Date: 13 Aug 2026

Review Body: I had an awesome day with my guide Pla on this tour. The hike was beautiful and a bit challenging (which I personally very much enjoyed). We trekked through a few villages and had lunch at a local restaurant. Pla was so kind to make sure I received a vegan dish. Would recommend this tour to anyone who loves nature and the mountains, and is able to walk around 13k up and downhill. Thank you to Pla for this unforgettable day.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Simon Jones

Review Date: 30 Nov 2025

Review Body: Fantastic, relaxed, beautiful walk with spectacular views all day. Our guide Zizi was informative and lovely company. She was happy to guide and inform us, but also gave us space at times to enjoy the scenery and chat amongst ourselves. I thought this tour was the perfect balance of a solid walk and a pleasant lunch without it being overly taxing, all in a breathtaking valley.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anne and Mike Radmall

Review Date: 29 Jul 2024

Review Body: We had a lovely guide called May who took us to her village and explained in detail and in very good english all about village life in Sapa.At the Homestay ZI Zi made us very welcome and made the best spring rolls in Vietnam!!!!! We thoroughly enjoyed our day with May and Zi Zi. Zi Zi very kindly ordered a taxi for us to get back to our hotel. Many thanks again May and Zi Zi.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: JuliaC

Review Date: 26 Apr 2024

Review Body: Initially had some miscommunication about start time. Had really great help from our guide who rushed down, and helped our child and elderly parents on the hike. Suggestion to state difficulty or let us choose which trails to go on with information to go on. Website said child friendly but there was a part of the trek that required scrambling on muddy mountain trail.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Yinn

Review Date: 03 Jan 2025

Review Body: Was fun doing the trek and hearing more from our guide Chili! Would recommend to be in the appropriate attire like sneakers or trekking shoes, and ideally waterproof pants especially if you choose the nature path (instead of the "easy" path which has more structured paths / pavements), as it can get quite muddy and slippery at some parts. I went around late Dec!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Olivia

Review Date: 13 Jan 2026

Review Body: We were very happy with Chili as our guide for the off-the-grid trekking to see a glimpse of Hmong culture. She was on time, attentive, and caring during our trip. She helped us navigate to the paths that we feel safe with, and overall we would recommend her and the tour!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jasmien

Review Date: 15 Mar 2025

Review Body: We really enjoyed our trek with Tamtam. Because we had a private tour, we were not really bothered by local sellers and could quietly enjoy our tour! It was interesting to hear more about Tamtam’s live and the dinner at Zizi’s was great.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jim Lambert

Review Date: 28 Mar 2024

Review Body: Su was fantastic, stopping and sharing details when necessary. Always positive and checking to make sure we were OK on the trail. I would love to have her as a guide again if the opportunity arose.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Fiona H

Review Date: 07 Sep 2024

Review Body: Our trekking trip was a wonderful experience! Our guide Sue was happy to share her knowledge with us and take breaks for photos and rests throughout the trip.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sharon

Review Date: 29 Apr 2024

Review Body: Beautiful hike. A bit challenging only because the heavy rain made the trail muddy and slippery. Certainly worth the extra trouble.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Claire Lyster

Review Date: 18 Oct 2025

Review Body: Li was an excellent guide, interesting and kind. The trek was very nice.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Yvette

Review Date: 02 Jan 2025

Review Body:

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kaden

Review Date: 01 Jul 2023

Review Body:

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Debbie

Review Date: 02 Sep 2024

Review Body: While we got to take in some incredible views of the rice paddies, we did not quite get the experience as advertised on their site. Water was not provided though it was stated so on the site, and we were also not informed to bring an umbrella or a poncho, so had to purchase one shortly after starting our hike. In addition, while it was advertised as child-friendly, we definitely did not feel it was so! We had to go up and down steep slopes, and the mud made it really slippery so one had to pay very close attention. Fairly early on during our hike, we were joined by a local elderly lady and her granddaughter (we presumed). While they were extremely helpful in making sure we were safe during the hike, little did we know that they would stop and ask us to purchase their hand-woven bags and pouches at a photo stop. Later on, we stopped for lunch at a village eatery (which was not the home-cooked meal we were expecting). All in all, while we enjoyed some parts of the trek, and appreciated the views, we couldn't help feeling like we weren't quite getting what was advertised.

Review rating: 3

Review Author: Isabel Canjura

Review Date: 17 Nov 2019

Review Body: Zizi's Homestay in Sapa I came to Zizi's out of chance. I had previously spoken to a friend of hers about a work exchange deal, but they didn't have space for me at the moment. Instead, she offered to ask Zizi's to host me and feed me in exchange for work. Zizi's team were enthusiastic about it and even offered to pay for all travel expenses, from and back to Hanoi. The night I arrived they already had a private room for me. I'll admit I was very tired and went right to sleep, but the next day it was straight to work. After giving me some time to appreciate my new surroundings and take in the scenery, they gave me a tour of the house and explained the things they needed from me: during the day go on treks to take pictures and videos. At night, teach the tribe's children some English. Pretty straight forward. That same day I went on the Bamboo trek, which I highly recommend, but I'll go into detail on another time. Zizi bought me lunch at a riverside restaurant and at night, I joined all the guests for family dinner. Let me tell you, I was not expecting that amazing food. It was delicious and so healthy! The flavors and colors were very diverse, and it had the warmth and attention to detail of a wholesome home-cooked meal. It was obvious there was a lot of care put into it. Sitting down to eat with all the guests opened a communication channel and we all made good use of it. As a solo traveler, it's not always easy to strike up conversation with strangers, it takes some time to gauge a person's social availability. So the family dinner dynamic was right on the spot. Gushing over the new found flavors, it wasn't difficult to find an ice breaker. Family dinner is arguably the heart of Zizi's Homestay. And the cutest thing is that they don't do it because it's good marketing, they do it because that's what dinner is like for their family and what comes naturally for them. They just want to share that with you. Of course, you can decide to opt out of family dinner and stay on the terrace, enjoying a few beers and the company of other travelers. We backpackers know how gratifying it can be to meet someone from a completely different culture and connect on a deep level, even if just momentarily. As a fellow traveler would say, we're all in this world momentarily, so why not make the best of it? It goes without saying that it is a rural place, with all of which that entails (farm animals, a remote location, lights out at 11 PM, etc...), but let's be real: you're reading this because you want to be in an enchanting mountain away from the crowds, cozied up in a warm cabin. The home is made mostly of wood and is super charming. It has a beautiful, sun-kissed terrace that oversees the rice fields in the valley. The children are amazing and have a lovely energy. The staff and family are a thightly-knit bunch and their friendy banter makes you feel like part of the house. Zizi and her family were beyond kind and accommodating. They gave me a private room, 3 meals a day, and even did my laundry in exchange for my work. It made me feel really appreciated that they went the extra mile, and I'll always be thankful for that. I have to say, going to Sapa was one of the best travel decisions I've made so far. If you're looking for a quiet but cheerfully cared-for place with a homey feel and an incredible view, search no more. This is it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jessica

Review Date: 20 Feb 2026

Review Body: My trip occurred in early November 2025. Overall, it was a great trip with some hiccups here and there for delayed transport, for example, but it somehow all worked out in the end. That was the lesson for my entire Vietnam trip though... to be patient, because somehow it all works out. :) Guide Tim picked me up very promptly from my hotel in Sapa on the 1st day for the trek up Fansipan. Beautiful weather! Guide didn't rush me after I hit a wall, hah. Lunch could have been better... the pho other trekkers were getting smelled grand and I yearned for the warmth. Almost thought I wasn't going to make it down the gondola with the ticket that was provided to me (a screenshot) but the worker gave me the go ahead eventually but after a wait and a few calls. Ride to Zizi's homestay was delayed but he got me there super quick. I suspected the walk to the homestay would not be roller luggage friendly after some research which I attempted to verify with the host through WhatsApp beforehand, but they never understood my request so my question went unanswered. The path is still pretty much paved but steep, something to bare in mind especially after coming off from climbing up to Fansipan. I otherwise was able to get to the homestay after some perseverance which wasn't too bad in the end and rather short too. It would still be helpful to recommend a backpack for hauling around luggage in Sapa, in general. The sisters run the homestay and it was truly a genuine experience. Beautiful scenery! Dinner was absolutely delicious. I linked up with the Hmong guide the next morning though the time for the meeting was confusing. They did track me down where I waited in the garden area. The trek was AWESOME and lunch so, so good. I wasn't expecting the elevation gain and mileage that day but it was helpful not knowing because I was able to enjoy the scenery and take it all in as it came. Sue was freakin awesome taking me around and we ended up in the perfect part of town where I needed to catch my bus in 2 hours. Luggage made it to me via her super cool husband. Again, it all just works out! Happy to have gone on the trek. The Vietnamese people are simply outstanding!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lucca D. Kjærgaard

Review Date: 28 Feb 2025

Review Body: We chose this tour (2D1N trekking) because we wanted to experience trekking up (and down) Fansipan and see some of the local villages and rice terraces outside Sapa - which we successfully did. The trek up the mountain was peaceful and with some nice viewpoints along the way. However, do not expect a view from the top, as it is most often inside a cloud. Our guide was very kind and told us about the local flora. He sat a good pace on our way up, but on our way down we felt rushed. It seems like the guides prefer to take the cable car down, but because we had gone up in 5,5 hours (including 1 hour lunch) he allowed it. It took us about 4,5 hours to walk back down. The trek was tough but not impossible and there were small breaks along the way. Beware that there are a lot of tall and rough stairs, and you will need to use your hands to scale some of the steeper terrain. Zizi's Homestay was very nice - if not a bit cold in the night - and in a beautiful area overlooking the rice fields. The staff was very kind, and food is great. The rice terrace trekking on day two was with a local H'Mong woman, who was very kind and talkable. Her english was a bit rough around the edges, but we could understand her and she could answer all our questions. The trek was steep in the beginning but easier and shorter than Fansipan. She accomodated our tour to the weather, so we spent more time in the local villages and less time overlooking rice fields that were hidden behind the clouds. The tour was interesting even though we spent more time walking on the roads than we did seeing the local life. Lunch was delicious though it was in a place solely built for tourists passing through. An overall great experience if you only have a few days in Sapa. However, if we had had more time in Sapa, we would have chosen a longer tour with more time in the villages.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Denea Buckingham

Review Date: 02 Dec 2019

Review Body: I cannot speak highly enough of Zizi, Lily and the entire team at Zizi Homestay in Sapa. They welcomed us to their lovely wooden, two-storey home in a small village outside of Sapa town. The taxi from Sapa took about 30 minutes and cost us 180k Vietnamese Dong the first time and 230k the second time. The homestay itself is lovely, beautiful wooden houses overlooking rice fields with chickens, dogs and the cutest baby pigs wandering around the patio and outside areas. We stayed 3 nights in a private room with a good mosquito net and nice pillows. They also had a power strip in our room which was a huge help with charging all of our devices as we were there to make a film. The price/value for money were outstanding. Nice cold beers cost about 25k (~$1) and the absolutely delicious group dinner was ~$4 per person, per meal and included many different dishes of local food each night. Zizi and Lily are so generous. They took the time to show us how the Hmong indigo batik fabric is made and then, to my surprise, Zizi made our piece into a beautiful bag for me and presented it as a birthday present the night before we left! Lily took us to her parents' village many kilometers hiking away so we could experience village life and film it for our project. They offer many different options of things to do, from hikes and treks to trips to markets and more. The bathrooms are shared but the hot water is good! The coffee is delicious and Zizi, Lily and Quynh all speak good English. They even taught us some words in Hmong! This is not a place for people who have mobility limitations because there is a nice hill climb to reach the house. Nor probably for people who require 5 star creature comforts. However if you want a real, beautiful, memorable and special experience in Northern Vietnam, book a stay with Zizi!

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Trek following a Hmong guide to experience their way of life

Itinerary Description: Meet in Sapa Town and start your trek with an English-speaking Hmong guide, following the old path that locals once used to walk to Sapa market. Enjoy a delicious Hmong lunch and explore Hau Thao village, where Zizi’s family lives. The trek ends at Zizi Homestay in Hau Thao village, around 9km from Sapa Town. This is an easy 3–4 hour, ~12km trek suitable for most beginners. It’s also suitable for children, though parents should consider conditions for kids under 8, as some sections can be a bit slippery. Optional Add-on: If you wish to stay longer a Family-style dinner at Zizi Homestay with Zizi’s Hmong family and other guests, can be arranged Optional Add-on: Car transfer back to Sapa Town in the late afternoon or evening.