Number one top rated ethical cultural trekking and homestay by ETHOS

Prior to this trip, we did a lot of research into the tours around Sapa, and found out that a lot of the main tour companies are not run by locals and actually, have an negative impact on the local communities. That prompted us to do more research into finding an ethical group and we were not disappointed with ETHOS. From the get go they were super easy to book with and helpful in organising our transfer from Hanoi to Sapa. And then when we arrived, we were absolutely delighted with our booking. It kicked off with a super interesting talk from Hao, Phil and Cha on the history of Sapa, the different cultures etc. We were then taken on a 3 day tour by two wonderful local (Dao and Hmong) guides (May Linh and My) who took such good care of us, guided us around some stunning routes/hikes, showed us how they forage and taught us how to play hand badminton. We then stopped at local homes/farms to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and then stayed in some truly authentic home stays. I honestly cannot praise ETHOS and the guides enough. They are all truly wonderful, made us feel so welcome and provided us with some memories that we’ll forever treasure. (PS. It’s so nice to see the impact they’re having on the local community by nurturing their guides, providing them with apprenticeships and skills). 100% recommend!!!

I highly recommend this unique and truly authentic experience. The people who welcome us before the trek are very friendly and accommodating. We were able to shower upon our return from the trek and we felt right at home. The debrief before leaving for the trek is incredible and very informative. We had our own guide who explained so many things to us.....

We had an excellent experience with Ethos in Sa Pa. The one-day Herbal Trail with Maysieu, a Red Dao guide, was immersive, authentic and perfectly balanced in terms of physical effort. The scenery was breathtaking, with lush mountains, forests and rice terraces at their most beautiful. Lunch, prepared by Maysieu at her family home, was delicious, and the traditional herbal bath afterwards was both relaxing and invigorating. Our food tour was also very enjoyable, with plenty of delicious dishes and, most importantly, insightful explanations about local culture, traditions and the lives and challenges of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. A truly enriching experience.

I received assistance and availability during the organization of the trip, with particular attention to ensure that everything went well. It is a service that I feel like recommending.

We had have a really good experience with our guide May Siue. We have learned many things about her culture and the way of living. She is a really good guide for this experience and we would recommend this reeking because is a really good way to learn how they live in this local villages. We are very thankful with Ethos to provide us this experience.

An amazing experience with amazing people! We had such a great time learning from and following along with our guide, Mae Linh. She was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and genuinely interesting. The families and people we met along the way were welcoming, kind and we never felt like an imposition. The food was incredible, we felt very lucky to eat the food grown by these families. I am vegetarian and it was so tasty and well made. The women at HQ were also wonderful to meet and chat with - they were friendly, intelligent, and so welcoming. I would 100% recommend this experience and would happily do it again and again!

We loved this experience with this ethical company, and felt so much better informed about Vietnam after our visit. Our guide, Mý, had endless patience and good humour, and took such good care of us over our 2 day trek. We had such good fun with her, and learned a lot from her. Having your own guide meant the difficulty and length of the trek could be tailored exactly to us, something we really appreciated. Cannot recommend this company, who do such good work for the community, highly enough!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Completing the 2-day, 1-night Buffalo Valley Trek with ETHOS – Spirit of the Community was without doubt one of the most rewarding and authentic travel experiences of my life. Over two days, we trekked through breathtaking rice terraces, bamboo forests, mountain streams and remote villages. It was physically challenging, but every single step was worth it. What makes ETHOS so special is its commitment to ethical tourism and supporting local communities. Trekking with local Hmong and Dao female guides allowed us to experience a genuine connection with the people, culture and traditions of Sapa. Knowing that tourism directly benefits local families and empowers women in these communities made the experience even more meaningful. A special mention goes to our guide, Mei Ling, who was absolutely incredible. Her warmth, humour, knowledge and encouragement made this trek unforgettable. She shared stories about local life, patiently guided us through the more challenging sections and made us feel like part of the community. If you’re booking this trek, I highly recommend requesting Mei Ling – she truly made the experience exceptional. The homestays were another highlight. The food was simply divine, with delicious home-cooked meals prepared using local ingredients. One of the most memorable parts was helping prepare the meals and learning traditional cooking methods from our hosts. It added another layer of connection and appreciation for the local way of life. And after long days of trekking, the traditional Dao herbal bath was pure magic. Soaking in the warm medicinal herbs while surrounded by the mountains was an incredible and restorative experience – exactly what tired legs needed after covering more than 40 kilometres. This wasn’t a staged tourist experience; it was an authentic, respectful and immersive way to experience the culture and daily life of the people of Sapa. If you’re looking for something beyond the usual tourist trail, I cannot recommend ETHOS highly enough. Expect muddy boots, sore legs, amazing food, beautiful people and a very full heart. A truly life-changing experience that I will never forget. 🌿⛰️⛰️💚

Our 3 day trek was the absolute highlight of our trip to Vietnam- we had delightful, informative guides and learned so much about the traditions and lives of the Dao and Hmong people living in the area. The other staff at Ethos were also incredibly helpful and kind!

I did the Bamboo Escape two days and one night homestay experience with a friend and it was an amazing experience. Our guide May Linh spoke perfect English and knew so much about the local culture, the forest and the plants. She also adjusted perfectly the itinerary to our needs and capacity! The homestay was as nice as the hike. Would 100% recommend this company!