Lao Cai, Vietnam
2 hours from Sapa, this is a Red Dao ethnic minority village located in the mountains of Lao Cai province. Find yourself away from the tourist crowds of Sapa, amidst breathtaking landscapes, immersed in a youthful and vibrant local community. There are currently 51 households in the village. The founding of tourism in this village was motivated by the local healer’s interest to preserve the Red Dao herbal bath tradition. The herbal bath is an important cultural practice of the Red Dao ethnic minority and fosters deep respect for the forest amongst locals. Since then, they have established a community enterprise and expanded their offerings to include forest experiences and involving travellers in their daily activities (e.g. farming, weaving, fishing).
How to get there:
- Nearest international airport: Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport
- Sleeper bus / train from Hanoi to Lao Cai City (4h~)
- Pick up from Lao Cai city by host community
Amenities:
- Wifi
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- Towel provided
- Fan
- Mosquito net
- Vegetarian food available
- English-Vietnamese Translator (additional cost)
- Shared accommodation
Activities Available
- Bamboo Forest Experience
- Cave Trek
- Herbal bath
- Foraging
- Fruit picking and harvesting
- Fishing
- Farming
- Family visits
- Swimming in the river/lake
Past Travellers' Experiences
*Disclaimer: All activities are seasonal and weather dependent. Costs are estimates, please refer to the host community for the latest price list.
For the hiking lovers (<S$250)
Day 1:
- Rice Harvesting
- Fishing
- Herbal bath
- Dinner at local villagers’ house
Day 2:
- Trekking to the cave
- Cook and prepare lunch
- Swimming at the lake
- Dinner at local villagers’ house
Day 3:
- Lychee picking
- Peanut harvesting
- River fishing
- Chilling by the river
- Lunch at local villagers’ house
- Rest and relax
Day 4:
- Trekking to the bamboo forest
- Dinner with frogs and crabs fresh from the stream in the forest
- Overnight in forest
Day 5:
- Trek back to accommodations
- Farewell lunch
For the local experience seekers (<S$200)
Day 1:
- Chilling at the river
- Herbal bath
Day 2:
- Local worshipping ceremony
- Embroidery
Day 3:
- Cinnamon weeding
- Fishing
- Buffalo Herding
For the FOMO (<S$250)
Day 1:
- Cinammon planting
- Herbal bath
- Dinner at local villagers’ house
Day 2:
- Trekking to the bamboo forest
- Cook and prepare lunch
- Make bamboo products (cups, knife, etc)
- Forage vegetables and cook dinner
- Chat with village elder over dinner listening to folktales and legends of the village
- Overnight in forest
Day 3:
- Morning trek back to the accommodations
- Shower and lunch.
- Harvesting sugarcane
- Buffalo herding
- Honey harvesting
- Fishing
- Embroidery class
- Herbal bath
Day 4:
- Trekking to the cave
- Lunch at a villager’s house
- Rowing a boat and swimming at the lake
More about the village
- This village adopts a highly unique community enterprise model. Any villager is welcomed to join the enterprise, to gain employment from tourism.
- The community enterprise designs regulations governing the development of tourism, ensuring it benefits their community, culture and nature.
- They donate a portion of earned revenue to poorer households within the village.
