Sa House Bac Ha

I still think of this place as one of the best I visited in Vietnam, even a month later. The whole homestay felt clean and welcoming, and the garden was lovely. The owner was really helpful too. I booked the cheapest room, which was nice and clean, though the walls didn’t reach the ceiling so sound carried through the house. That may only be an issue in the cheapest room, since there are other buildings. Truly recommend!

The day trek we arranged with a guide ended up being my favorite day in Vietnam. We walked through villages, met the guide’s family in their traditional homes, and saw the rice terraces and incredible views. We also went to the Wednesday local market instead of the touristy Bac Ha Sunday market. It was a fascinating experience, and the drive there had amazing scenery. The homestay itself was great, with better facilities than we expected. Our spacious double room had a comfortable bed, a great bathroom, and a little terrace. Our host cooked delicious breakfasts and dinners. This was one of our few truly authentic experiences in Vietnam. Bac Ha is worth visiting for the peaceful town, kind people, and beautiful landscape, not just the market. I found the views better than in Sapa, and the town didn’t feel spoiled by tourism.

Mr Sa was a great host, and the rooms were clean with comfortable beds. The hot water held up well and had good pressure. You can rent a motorbike there, and riding the many roads out of Si Ma Cai was just wonderful.

It’s a bit out of the way, about a 25min walk into town, but I thought it was worth it. The rooms are clean and simple, Sa is a great host, and his wife can make breakfast and dinner if you want, for +60-150,000VND. Motorbike rental is available for 150,000VND.