The Best Homestay in Sapa: A Beginner’s Guide to Homestays
We never expected to spend an evening in Laos teaching English to an entire village – but that’s the magic of homestays in Southeast Asia.
A homestay is more than just a place to sleep. It’s the chance to live with a local family, share their meals, and take part in their daily life.
Every experience is different, but each one gives you an inside look at a culture you can’t get from a hotel or hostel.
After staying in many homestays across Southeast Asia, one stood out above the rest: our favorite homestay in Sapa, Vietnam.
In this guide, we’ll share why it’s the best, what makes them so special, and what you can expect if it’s your first time booking a homestay in Southeast Asia.
We’ll also highlight other incredible homestays around the region so you’ll have options no matter where your travels take you.
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Why Homestays Are the Best Way to Experience Sapa
Staying in a homestay can feel overwhelming at first. You’re stepping right into someone else’s home, culture, and way of life.
There were moments during this Southeast Asia trip where we felt a little out of our comfort zone in a homestay, unsure if we were doing the ‘right’ thing as guests.
But looking back, those were the experiences that made our trip unforgettable. The awkward moments turned into stories we still laugh about. Like this homestay in Bali where the host couldn’t find a sarung and sash to fit Jess for a visit to their family temple.
Every time we leave a homestay, we’re so glad we chose it over a hotel – it always ends up being the part of the trip we remember most.
🗺️ Overwhelmed by all the options? Start with our favorite must-see places across Vietnam to build your dream route.
What Makes a Homestay Different From a Hotel
Homestays are often far more affordable than hotels, guesthouses, or even hostels. In Sapa, our private room at Zizi Homestay was the least expensive accommodation of our entire Southeast Asia trip.
But the real difference comes from the hospitality. Hotels usually offer polished service, but homestay hospitality feels more personal.
In Laos, for example, our host greeted us with coffee from his farm, asked about our travel plans, and we ended up sharing an engaging conversation about life in the village.
It felt less like checking into a business and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. That kind of connection is what makes homestays stand out.
You’re not just paying for a bed, you’re sharing in a family’s daily life.
Our Favorite Things About Staying With Local Families
Homestays give you a window into everyday life that you’d rarely glimpse as a tourist.
In Sapa, we woke up to the sound of roosters and watched our hosts walk the water buffalos to and from the rice fields at the start and end of each day for work.
Those daily rhythms made us feel part of the village, if only for a few days.
The meals in homestays are also reflective of the food local people eat in their homes, which can sometimes be different from the foods you’ll find in restaurants!
We had the most delicious tomato tofu and sauteed greens in our homestay in Sapa – dishes we never found when eating elsewhere.
👉 RELATED: If you’re a foodie, learn about food in Hanoi and discover the best restaurants in Tam Coc.
Sharing those meals around a low table with our host wasn’t just about eating; it was about connection and laughter, as the village elder continued to pile our plates even though we were stuffed!
How to Book a Homestay in Sapa (Step by Step)
Booking a homestay is just as easy as booking a hotel or hostel. We usually use Booking.com and simply filter by property type and rating.
On the left hand side of the webpage, you can scroll down and select ‘homestay’ from the property types.
We also filter for properties rated as 9 or above – the quality of accommodation in Sapa and Southeast Asia as a whole is high and there are MANY homestays with very high ratings.
From our experience, most homestays in this region require cash payment upon arrival, so it’s best to reserve your space online, then bring local currency to pay once you get there.
Not all homestays can be booked online.
We reserved most of ours ahead of time, but in more remote areas, you’ll often need to arrange your stay in person since many families don’t list their homes on booking platforms.
The Best Homestay in Sapa: Zizi Homestay
In our opinion, the best homestay in Sapa is Mekhoo & Zizi Sapa Homestay.
There are many options to choose from in this bustling mountain town, but we chose to stay at Zizi Sapa Homestay following a recommendation from a fellow traveler.
TOP TIP: Wherever in the world you’re traveling, always consider options another traveler has suggested. Whether it’s a hostel, a tour, or a restaurant, it’s likely you’re both of the same mindset due to the lifestyle choice. 9 times out of 10 it’ll be a good recommendation!
How We Got to Zizi Homestay (and What to Expect on the Journey)
Since the homestay is 9 km from Sapa town via the main road, Zizi offers guests the opportunity to join a group trek to the mountain village.
For $20USD per person, you can eat lunch with the group, have your luggage transported to the homestay by motorbike, then spend the afternoon trekking for 3-4 hours (15 km) until you reach Zizi’s.
🚌 Most travelers reach Sapa from Hanoi by overnight transport. This is what you need to know about Vietnam’s sleeper trains and sleeper buses.
Activities We Tried at Zizi Homestay
Once you arrive, you can join the family dinner and indulge in delicious cuisine, made with the freshest ingredients from the local market.
After dinner, take some time to relax on the tables outside overlooking the vivid, colorful rice fields.
Other activities the family offer are hikes to various locations with waterfall swim spots and (our favorite) spending a few hours with ladies from the Black Hmong tribe to learn handicrafts.
We were taught about indigo dying and how batik patterns are created, all whilst observing how the women in the village go about their day to day lives.
Rooms, Meals, and Amenities at Zizi Homestay
The rooms at Zizi Homestay range from a $5USD dorm to $28USD per night for a mountain view double room with breakfast included.
Our room was just a basic double and only cost us $6USD per night! The rooms are made of local materials, with handmade art decorating the walls.
The entire property is spotless, with the bathrooms and common areas cleaned throughout the day.
The property also offers tons of outdoor seating overlooking the surrounding rice terraces and mountains – perfect for chilling with a book all day or relaxing post-trek!
The wifi in the common area is strong and consistent and the basic food menu is available all day.
Other Great Homestays in Sapa We Recommend
There are so many options to choose from when you’re looking for a homestay in Sapa. Read on for some great alternatives to Zizi’s Homestay.
Miku Chill House
Host Miku is so welcoming and friendly! As with most Sapa homestays, you’ll be treated to some unbelievable views and wholesome hospitality.
Miku’s home only recently became available on booking.com so it’s sure to fill up. Miku will take you out trekking to some lesser-known places from her home in the Hmong village.
Muong Hoa Hmong Homestay
Swap a busy Sapa town for this peaceful homestay in the mountains. Expect clean rooms, a good breakfast, and an even better family dinner.
You will be able to book a trekking tour through the homestay and have the most enjoyable day getting to know the locals and learning about life in the village.
Nini Homestay Sapa – Sapa Town
So many people recommended this place to us! We booked a stay here for when we arrived in Sapa, then took a taxi to our homestay in the mountains the next day.
They are a relatively new business, set in a prime location. You can explore Sapa town easily from Nini’s, or tackle Vietnam’s highest peak – Fanispan.
How Many Days Should You Stay in Sapa?
We spent 3 nights in the homestay in Sapa. This was a good amount of time, but you could easily stay for 2 days if you’re on a tight schedule, or longer if you are not in a rush.
In our opinion, 3 days is an optimum amount of time. This allows room for a day hike, a handicraft activity as well as a stroll around the town if you feel like it!
👉 If you’re building a larger Vietnam route, our Northern Vietnam, two-week, and one-month itineraries show how to connect destinations like Hanoi, Sapa, and Ninh Binh into a realistic trip.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Sapa?
March to May and September to November, are the optimal time for a trip to the picturesque region (we visited in early April).
During these months, you avoid the rainy season and have the opportunity for more varied activities.
June to September is the wet season, making hiking and exploring the mountainous area more challenging.
Northern Vietnam can get super cold too – although rare, December to February sometimes sees snow make an unexpected appearance.
While the rainy season makes trekking more challenging, this is also the time of year when the rice terraces are the brightest green.
TOP TIP: From December to early March, the last two months of the dry season, farmers practice slash and burn to prepare their fields for the next crop harvest.
The smoke from the burning drastically decreases the air quality and makes everything a little hazy. Bear this in mind when planning your trip if you are bothered by poor air quality or hope to hike in Northern Vietnam.
How to Get From Hanoi to Sapa
Your quickest route from Hanoi to Sapa is via bus – we did this. The journey takes 5-6 hours and follows winding roads, with a noticeable difference in landscapes as you go.
Another popular option is the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai. This is a long but very scenic 8-9 hour train ride.
Once in Lao Cai, you will need to take a 1-2 hour bus or taxi to Sapa town.
Most trips to Sapa begin in Hanoi. Our guides cover how to spend three days in the city, the best neighborhoods to stay in, and the food spots worth seeking out before heading north.
Our Favorite Homestays in Southeast Asia
While our homestay in Sapa at Mekhoo & Zizi Sapa Homestay was our very favorite, we stayed at some other amazing homes elsewhere in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
If you’re traveling throughout Southeast Asia, make sure you check out our other recommended stays!
Best Homestays in Vietnam (Beyond Sapa)
After our unforgettable homestay in Sapa, we chose Tam Coc Lotus Flower Homestay in Ninh Binh as our next stop. Although less immersive than Zizi’s, the home owner Linh was so warm and welcoming.
Linh used to work in the rice fields, and only recently decided to open her family home to visitors.
🇱🇦 Visiting Laos as well as Vietnam? We break down the differences between the two countries here so you’ll know what to expect.
We have been talking about her home since we left Ninh Binh – the hospitality, cleanliness, and very affordable price are not to be passed by if you’re visiting Tam Coc.
Best Homestays in Cambodia
Family Batcave Homestay offers basic, but clean bungalows with hammocks on the porch to relax and take in the sounds of a Cambodian village close to Battambang.
Esaro (a former tuk tuk driver) and his family cooked some tasty dishes for both dinner and breakfast – all from fresh local ingredients.
The homestay is also located right by the Bat Cave and Killing Caves, meaning you’ll get a front row seat to watch the bats dance out of the caves as the day draws to a close.
👉 RELATED: Things to Do in Battambang
Best Homestays in Laos
The Pakse Loop
If you’re doing the Pakse loop whilst in southern Laos, be sure to stay at Somphone Homestay. Initially, we had every intention of staying with Mr Hook, as most visitors do.
However, we met a couple earlier in the day who recommended Mr Som – a humble man who recently opened his home to passersby.
We spent the evening with our host and his family. First we accompanied Dak, Mr Som’s wife, to the market to collect fresh food for dinner, then helped to prepare some vegetables.
After dinner we found ourselves teaching English to about 10 local children who were very eager to learn from the foreigners.
It was one of the highlights of our time in Laos. We were really made to feel at home at Mr Somphone’s and would highly recommend a stay here.
Trekking in Luang Namtha
Another homestay we experienced in Laos was at an eco-village in the jungle outside of Luang Namtha.
As part of a two-day jungle trek, we stayed in a very basic bamboo bungalow in a village with no running water or electricity.
Foreigners are only allowed access to the hill tribes through organized group treks. This was a special experience to learn about a very isolated local village.
Best Homestays in Bali
On a separate Southeast Asia trip we stayed in a village about an hour from Ubud at D’SARI Undisan Houses.
Our goal was to have a more authentic Bali experience and Made (the owner) and his family absolutely helped us achieve that.
This accommodation isn’t explicitly a homestay, but from our experience it ticked many boxes. Mostly because Made the owner was very hands on.
Each day he took us somewhere different – his family temple, a local tea tasting, silver jewelery making, nearby waterfalls. The entire time talking about his family, his village, his country and his religion.
At the time it felt like a culture shock given it was our first stop after spending a year being settled in Australia. Looking back, like with every other homestay experience, it was definitely a time we will never forget.
Why You Should Try a Homestay Abroad
Although it can feel uncomfortable at times, staying with locals gives you a much deeper understanding of the community and the people you’re visiting.
Our homestay in Sapa certainly ticked all the boxes and left a lasting impression on us.
You won’t know if you’ll enjoy something until you’ve tried it! So why not live by our motto, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
We can guarantee you’ll come away with fresh perspectives, a broader understanding of fellow humans, and above all, a better understanding of yourself and your place in the world.
If Sapa is on your travel list, start planning your stay at Zizi Homestay. And once you’ve booked, don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in Sapa to make the most of your trip.
