Indigenous Culture

Visitors to Mai Chau can find cozy homestays in Lac Village (Ban Lac). There are actually two Lac Villages — Lac 1 and Lac 2. They're within easy walking distance of each other.

Sapa Love Market is right in downtown Sapa, near Sapa Stone Church. Here, you can buy a huge range of souvenirs from eager vendors, and sometimes catch locals performing. You’ll see some vendors scattered here throughout the week, but to see the market at its height you’ll want to visit on Saturday or Sunday.

Pom Coong is one of the main villages within the stunning Mai Chau valley. Best known for the hospitality of the White and Black Thai people who call it home, the area is surrounded by verdant rice paddies and towering mountains. It is one of the best places to learn about Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups firsthand and is only 93 miles (150 km) from Hanoi.

Vietnamese dishes pack a punch with fragrant herbs and fresh vegetables, and you can visit Tra Que Vegetable Garden to see how local farmers cultivate some of these essential ingredients. This farm is a short trip from Hoi An, and makes a lovely side trip from the beaches and busy, ancient town of Hoi An.

Thôn Chi is a small village in a remote part of northern Vietnam and home to a Tay minority community. Its location far from any major tourist hub means simply arriving in Thôn Chi is an adventure. Once there you’ll find dusty streets, wooden stilt houses, and views that will take your breath away.