La Maison De Buoc

A lovely homestay if you’re after a quiet retreat away from the touristy area. You can borrow a bike to explore nearby, though there isn’t much to do besides relax. The owner is very friendly, and the service is okay.

A peaceful, welcoming stay with nice service. I had a great experience and highly recommend it.

The food was the highlight for me. The female chef can make whatever you want, and her grilled pork belly with traditional spices was the best. We stayed three nights and ate every meal there. I also loved the deep-fried fish. The family and staff are super friendly, the staff are all Thai ethnic people, and the two golden retrievers, Map and Kem, quickly became my best friends. They’ll join you on walks or bike rides and swim with you in the stream, just keep them from chasing the ducks or buffaloes. The rooms are roomy little bungalows built in an ethnic minority style. Ours had a comfortable double bed with a big mattress and thick blanket, plus air conditioning for both hot and cold settings. The bathroom was spacious and had hot water, which mattered in chilly Buoc Village. There’s also a small balcony with two armchairs overlooking the garden. The garden is big, with many kinds of flowers, fruit and trees, and the owner clearly puts time and money into it. There’s a pool and a pool table too, and in winter they have a bonfire in the evening. Buoc village is a better choice than already-too-touristy Lac village. A stream and rice fields are only a five-minute walk from the homestay, good for a swim or a long walk. Free bicycles are available. Ride for half an hour and you can reach a nearby onsen. On Friday mornings, Thai people hold a farm market from 6am, selling fresh vegetables and meat, so get up early and bike over. They also offer free workshops where staff guide you step by step in making Thai traditional sticky rice (bánh ốc) or a hand fan from palm leaves. If you need a bus, they can help book a limousine for 300k per person each way. I had a great stay and will definitely come back.

Such sweet, generous people. They really want to look after you.