A homestay in Ha Giang (part of Tuyen Quang province since July 2025) should mean staying in the home of a local family, Tay, Dao, Hmong or another group, and living for a night at their pace.
That is very different from the large “homestays” along the main road, which are guesthouses or hostels in all but name. A real homestay is about the family, the meal you share and the quiet of the village at night.
I should be clear from the start: TVPalm Ecolodge is not a homestay. It is a small lodge with private rooms near Khuoi My. But some of our treks include time in the home of a Dao Ao Dai family, and this guide is what I tell guests before they go.
What is a homestay in Ha Giang?
In northern Vietnam, “homestay” now covers everything from a family’s spare room to a fifty-bed hostel with a bar. Knowing the difference saves you a disappointing night.
A real homestay is a working household. Several generations may live under one roof, and you share their food, their fire and their daily rhythm.
What a real family homestay looks like
When you stay with a family, you will usually notice a few things:
- Family life: Grandparents, parents and children who farm, cook and look after animals. You are a guest in their life, not the reason for it.
- A house of the place: Many Tay and Dao Ao Dai families live in wooden stilt houses, while Hmong families usually live in ground-level houses with earth or wooden walls. Many families also now build with brick and concrete.
- Home cooking: No menu. You eat what the family cooks that day, often vegetables from the garden and rice from their fields.
- Money that stays local: When you pay a family directly, or through a fair partner, the money stays in the village.
How to spot a “party homestay”
As tourism grew on the Ha Giang Loop, many concrete guesthouses started calling themselves homestays. Some have loud music, bars and large groups.
Many are run by businesses from outside the area rather than local families.
There is nothing wrong with a lively hostel if that is what you want. But if you want rest and a real connection, choose a quiet village away from the main road.
| Family homestay | Roadside “homestay” hostel | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Quiet village, early nights | Often music, bar and big groups |
| Hosts | A local family | Often staff from outside the area |
| Food | What the family cooks that day | A menu |
| Where the money goes | Mostly to the family and village | Often to an outside business |
If you want somewhere quieter, read our guide to peaceful villages in Ha Giang.
Evenings in a family home
The heart of a homestay is the evening, when work ends and the family gathers around the fire and the meal.
The family meal and “happy water”
Dinner is usually served on a tray or low table, and everyone eats together. Wait to be invited to sit, and let the eldest start.
Dishes depend on the family and the season: pork, tofu, forest vegetables, bamboo shoots, rice. For more, see our guide to local foods in Ha Giang.
Many families will offer corn wine (rượu ngô), which travellers call “happy water”. It is strong.
Drink it slowly, and it is perfectly fine to say no or to have just one cup. Your host will not be offended if you refuse with a smile.
Sleeping in a family home
Sleeping arrangements vary. In many homes, guests sleep on mattresses in a shared room or loft, with curtains for some privacy.
Expect clean bedding and a mosquito net, but not hotel comfort. Bring earplugs if you sleep lightly, because village mornings start early.
At night, the village is quiet: insects, a dog, the wind. Families go to bed early and rise early.
You may wake to roosters, smoke from the kitchen fire and tea already on the boil.
For a homestay village further along the Loop, see our Du Gia village guide.
Where to stay near Tay Con Linh
You do not need to go far from Ha Giang city to find quiet villages. The slopes of Tay Con Linh are home to Tay villages at the foot of the mountain and Dao Ao Dai villages higher up.
Here, community-based tourism in Ha Giang is still small and close to farm life.
Thon Tha and Khuoi My
Thon Tha is a Tay village near Ha Giang city, known for its traditional stilt houses and quiet lanes.
Walk through it slowly and you will see rice fields, buffalo and people at work. Ask before you photograph anyone.
Higher up, Khuoi My is a Dao Ao Dai village on the slopes of Tay Con Linh, close to TVPalm Ecolodge. Families here care for ancient Shan Tuyet tea trees.
Dao Ao Dai women still wear the long indigo tunic that gives the group its name; read more in our guide to Dao Ao Dai traditional clothing.
Good manners in a family home
A homestay is an honour, and a few simple habits make you a welcome guest:
- Shoes Off Indoors: Take off your shoes at the door when your hosts do.
- Respect the Sacred Ancestral Altar: Most homes have an ancestor altar in the main room (ban tho). Never point your feet toward the altar while seated, and do not hang wet clothes or touch altar ritual items.
- Dress Modestly Around Common Areas: Cover your shoulders and knees when moving through communal village paths and living areas; avoid walking around in swimwear or undershirts.
- Ask Permission Before Taking Portraits: Always ask politely with a smile before photographing village elders, artisans at work, or young children in the hamlets.
- Accept Hospitality with Both Hands: When offered tea, food, or a small cup of corn wine by your host, receive and offer the item using both hands as a universal symbol of deference.
A homestay is not a room you rent. It is a family that opens its door. Eat what they eat, say thank you, and you will leave as a friend.
Nguyễn Văn Trung, Founder, TVPalm
Frequently asked questions
Do homestays have private rooms, hot water and Wi-Fi?
It depends. Many family homestays have shared sleeping areas and simple bathrooms. Some have private rooms. Hot water and Wi-Fi are common near towns but not guaranteed in remote villages.
If you want a private room and bathroom, stay at a lodge such as TVPalm Ecolodge and spend the day in the villages instead.
How much does a homestay cost?
Prices vary widely between villages and families, and between a simple family home and a larger guesthouse.
Ask for the price of the bed and the meals before you arrive, and pay the family directly or through a partner you trust.
Should I book in advance?
Yes, especially from September to April. Real family homestays have only a few beds.
Families also need to know you are coming so they can buy food and prepare the meal.
