Live Like a Local: Family Culture Day
(One Day)
Live Like a Local: Family Culture Day in Sapa
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Duration: Full day
Departure time: 8.30am for briefing at the ETHOS Community Centre.
Physical activity: Moderate
Location: Rural Red Dao Villages, woodland and rice terraces.
Travel Style: Immersive culture and family learning.
Connectivity: Wifi - None, Mobile coverage - good.
Maximum: 5 people
An Immersive Family Experience in the Heart of Sapa’s Villages
Step into the rhythm of village life with your Hmong or Dao guide and spend a full day immersed in craft, play and culinary tradition. This unique cultural experience is designed especially for families with children aged five to twelve, offering meaningful opportunities to connect, learn and create together.
Your day begins with a short walk through quiet countryside, taking in rice terraces, forest paths or village trails depending on the season. The route is gentle and can be easily adjusted to suit the energy levels of little legs.
Upon arrival at your host family’s home, the day unfolds around a shared meal and a series of hands-on activities. Children and parents alike are invited to try their hand at simple traditional crafts. Together, you’ll learn how to make maize husk dolls, spinning tops, bamboo leaf shooters and more. There will be laughter, friendly guidance and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Music and movement are part of the experience too. Try local games played by children in the mountains, learn how to shoot a traditional crossbow or listen as your guide shows you how to make instruments from everyday materials found in the forests and fields. If the season is right, you may also go foraging together for edible greens or wild herbs, which you’ll later help prepare for a home-cooked lunch with your host.
This is a day centred on cultural exchange, shared curiosity and creative learning. It is not a performance or a tour of a village, but a personal and authentic encounter with local ways of life. Guided in English by members of Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities, this experience offers a gentle, joyful and insightful way for families to explore, connect and understand more deeply.
Connect, Create and Share Traditions with the Hmong and Dao Communities
Included:
• All materials, tools and instruction
• Home style lunch and refreshments
• English speaking artisan guide
• Return transportation.
Prices - Live Like a Local: Family Culture Day
Family of two people - $110
Family of three people - $145
Family of four people - $165
Family of five people - $185
Community based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism where local communities are directly involved in developing, managing, and benefiting from tourism activities within their area. It emphasises community ownership, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices, offering visitors authentic experiences and fostering economic opportunities for residents.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood”
Please travel with respect. Dress modestly, support local crafts, protect nature, be patient, and stay safe. Connect, learn, and contribute positively during your ETHOS journey. Please refer to our terms for booking conditions for all ETHOS experiences.