Review Author: Lucas Weil Ruggeri

Review Date: 25 Jan 2020

Review Body: An amazing trip that was like absolutely no other experience I have ever had. We trekked through mud and mountains and got quite dirty, but it is exactly the kind of experience that makes you realise the true beauty of the local village people. Our guide Sõ was amazing and never hesitated to tell us about the local people, their culture and the village way of life. The homestay was somehow both incredibly comfortable and rural at the same time. Zizi homestay was in of itself beautiful and we got a chance to eat their local food, drink the local made rice wine, hang out with the family and play with the kids. All in all this experience was truly incredible, and as long as you don’t mind getting a bit dirty the trek and homestay will take your breath away.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Philipp and Charlotte

Review Date: 23 Mar 2026

Review Body: First off all our Guide Sue was really nice. She gave us a lot of different options for different routs. The first day we choose the nature view option and after the heavy rain the fog disappeared and we had the greatest view on the rice terraces and the village. Good shoes and rain gear would be very needed so take it with you if you have any! We really got a good feeling of the culture and the area with the help of Sue. The one night we had in Zizi Homestay was super good and the bed was very comfy. Vegetarian options are available and also on the track for Lunch.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sylvia

Review Date: 19 May 2026

Review Body: My guide, Bau was so friendly and helpful! She taught me a lot throughout the guided hike, and the views were fantastic. The accommodation at Zizi was also very clean and comfortable. I initially got the dorm because I'm a solo traveller but I got upgraded to an ensuite double bed instead! And the food was amazing!!! I'd do another tour again with Zizi Homestay the next time I'm in Sapa.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sydney

Review Date: 09 Jan 2026

Review Body: We spent two days trekking with Sue. She was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. We felt right at home walking from village to village, learning about the culture, handicrafts, and way of life. She answered all of our many questions. Sue was incredible! Our stay at Zizi homestay was simple but quaint. The meals were good and the hosts accommodating.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ashley F.

Review Date: 30 Dec 2023

Review Body: We had a wonderful time at this homestay, booked through Seek Sophie. The views were really nice, the homestay hosts and the trekking guide were very friendly. We got to learn a lot about the way of the local people here, and had a wonderful meal. Def book one of the homestay experiences in Sapa with SS!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: M Kaur

Review Date: 22 Mar 2026

Review Body: Very entertaining and informational trekking experience with Pla(our tour guide)

Review rating: 5

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

Review Author: DeneaB

Review Date: 02 Nov 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

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: Michelle D, USA

Review Date: 02 Oct 2016

Review Body: The homestay is quite a ways out of Sapa town, but worth the trip. They will also arrange a shuttle pickup to bring you there, that I believe was 2usd/person. It's a little walk up the path to get to the homestay, but once you get there you are greeted with breathtaking views of the rice terraces all around you. Nice spot to sit and relax over a cup of tea and the wifi was reliable for me to get some work done. They will help you plan trekking tours, but the location allows you to go off on your own for a day trek without a guide and they will help you figure out how to do that as well. The family meals were incredible and absolutely worth the money and the pancake and tea/coffee in the morning included in the price was a great way to start the day. The dorm room is a loft area with mattresses on the floor. Simple, but very comfortable. Each bed has a personal charging outlet and a mosquito net. Hot water showers too! It can get a bit noisy in the morning as people start their day with the sun, but earplugs are an easy fix to that. Highly recommend to have a torch with you to make your way from the main house to the dorm house after dark, as the path is rocky, but really adds to the experience. There were puppies all over and kids during the day as they also offer school to some of the local children. So awesome! They helped me figure out the long route I wanted to take into Lao by bus(es) and boat. One of my favorite places to stay in Vietnam and so relaxing. Thank you Zizi!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sian J, Australia

Review Date: 13 May 2018

Review Body: Visited here after a week in Hanoi and wanted a taste or rural Vietnam and some peace and quiet, this is certainly what we got! The homestay was very welcoming set in an idilic location near Ta Van (200,000 VND taxi from Sapa) with beautiful views of the surrounding rice paddies. The hostel is set on a working small farm with chickens, piglets, pigs, dogs and buffalo whom are all very friendly! We stayed in the 8 bed dorm which was clean and comfortable. For the 2 nights we stayed we ate the home cooked dinner for 80 VND which was delicious and there was plenty of choice, the free breakfast was again delicious with good choice. We did a trek one day with Zizi which was very informative and picturesque - would deffo recommend. As you would expect on a home stay you are surrounded by the family and their lives do not stop because you're there so expect to be woken early morning by the mopeds and piglets...but this is all part of the experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Max, Germany

Review Date: 16 Nov 2018

Review Body: We booked a 3 days 2 nights package with ZiZi as our Tourguide. On the first day we hiked from Sapa to ZiZis Homestay and were lucky with the weather. On the second day we should change the Homestay, but the weather changed overnight (normal for that kind of area), so we decided to just go on a easier route with ZiZi again and come back to her HomeStay in the afternoon. On the next day we hiked back to Sapa where we got to the bus back to Hanoi. Everything excl. drinks was included, so we got breakfast (I strongly recommend the pancakes with banana!!!!), lunch and could participate on the family dinner. ZiZi is one of the best chefs around and everything tasted delicious. Also the hiking tours were perfectly organized. Even boots were provided for the muddy tracks. If you choose to hike to the place, they will pick-up the big luggage from Sapa, so you can walk without backpacks. It was just a great time there!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: sophie

Review Date: 03 Apr 2025

Review Body: We did the 1-day fansipan hike + cable car descent, went with Hmang (not sure if spelt properly) as our guide and he was great! Great energy & passionate about the nature in the forests. I was worried about not finishing on time for the cable car last descent (430-5pm), but we reached the summit about 3pm. Recommend bringing hiking pole to help with the ascend (especially if it gets rainy & wet), and many snacks and at least 2.5L of water for sufficient hydration. It's about 6+h of hiking! Thankful that the day we went weather was amazing and got to see the views. Also appreciate the pick up & drop off service. Overall the hike was great, the only downside was lunch was DIY sandwich (ham, tomato, cucumber, peanut, with butter & jam spread) at the little cook house. Would've much preferred if we were given hot food, like what the other trekkers were eating.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anna

Review Date: 24 Sep 2026

Review Body: We had a wonderful day of crafting with our guide, Pla. She was extremely knowledgeable and patient with us, taking time to explain things in great detail. We were greetes with a coffee by the host Lili, and then we made a couple of pieces of indigo batik, using beeswax and traditional Hmong tools. We had a break for lunch, and then in the afternoon we completed some embroidery pieces. Pla then accompanied me on a small trek around her village. It was a great experience, we are grateful that this artwork was shared with us. We ended the experience a bit earlier because we were tired, but I'm sure that others could do a longer trek if they have the energy for it :) the homestay is beautiful, immersed in nature. I would note, for accessibility reasons, that the road up to the homestay is quite steep.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob L, Netherlands

Review Date: 18 Sep 2016

Review Body: With the rice paddies meters from the veranda and epic views of the sweeping Vally below, I highly recommend this homestay to all types of travellers who are wanting a genuine experience of Sapa, away from the bustling main town . With mountain treks literally behind the homestay, there were many adventures to be had within a short walking distance . There were dinners with the guesthouse owners every night with the option to do your own thing if you were after something elsewhere (the food was really good, so I would advise eating in for at least a night). Many of the people who lived in the village were also guides for trekking and offered help with anything you may need. Sapa town center was only a 10-15 minute motorbike(scooter) trip away so don't o be put off by the distance

Review rating: 5

Review Author: jamespdesmond, Colorado

Review Date: 22 Nov 2016

Review Body: It saddens me to see the bad reviews of this place since it was so amazing ...don't listen to these people...they obviously weren't thinking clearly when they booked a mountain homestay. Yes , it's a homestay so the bed and toilets are not hotel quality....but you have everything you need and the people, food, and views are spectacular!! Don't come here if you are looking for a 5 star hotel , or don't want to be around village people , dogs , mountain views, and all the sights and sounds of staying in someone's home in the mountains....but for me it was exactly what I wanted! ZiZi and here family were so nice and you can access day treks from here so easily. Best way to really submerge yourself in the mountains !! Will come back ! Oh did I mention the food!? So great.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Gitti

Review Date: 05 Jun 2024

Review Body: My tourguide Chu took good care of me. She picked me up in Sapa town, we had breakfast and we hiked to Zizi Homestay. The hike was fun and full of adventures, she explained a lot about life in Sapa and Vietnam, it was fun and very interesting. Zizi Homestay is a very nice and clean Homestay, people were very friendly and I even got an upgrade to a single room. The "family dinner" that is included in the price was soo delicious and lots of vegetarian options to choose from. Also breakfast and coffee were very good, unfortunately I didn't have time to stay there longer. On the second day we hiked to two waterfalls, had lunch and saw many many buffalos along the way. Thank you very much for this awesome and also lifechanging hike. I totally recommend it :) <3

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Trek into Muong Hoa Valley with its breathtaking scenery and its traditional villages.

Itinerary Description: 6.30AM-2PM: Meet in Sapa town, Then Trek to Muong Hoa Valley, famous for its breathtaking scenery of rice terraces, mountains, and its traditional villages. 3PM-5PM: Arrive at Zizi Homestay located in Hau Thao. Relax and enjoy the stunning view or play and interact with the children of the village. 7PM: Enjoy a delicious homecooked family dinner, cooked by Zizi. Overnight at Zizi Homestay

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Heartwarming village trek and homestay

Itinerary Description: 7.30AM: Wake up to a delicious and hearty breakfast. 8.30AM: Trek in the heart of Muong Hoa Valley. Cross Ta Van, one of the most famous villages, then trek through a beautiful bamboo forest. Explore the most beautiful waterfall of the valley. In Giang Ta Chai, learn about the second most important minority of the valley: the Red Dao. 3PM-5PM: Return to our homestay , and then Drive back to Sapa