Why Travellers Love ETHOS - Real Stories. Life-Changing Journeys
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“One of the best, most culturally-rich guided experience we have ever done.”
- Gijs Groeneboom (Google Review)
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"The most authentic travel experience we've ever had the privilege of immersing ourselves in"
- Sophie Baker (Google Review)
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“I cannot recommend ETHOS enough, the best thing we did while trevling in Vietnam.”
- Jonathan Byers (Google Review)
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"If you want an authentic experience in Vietnam this is the place to come. It will completely change the way you view the world".
- Camilla Andelin (Google Review)
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My daughter and I spent 4 days in Sapa with ETHOS in late March and we absolutely loved it! It was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience on so many levels. When we arrived in Sapa we had already been in Vietnam for 4 weeks but we learned more about Vietnam, especially its minority ethnic groups, in the 4 days we spent at ETHOS than during our whole trip. The ETHOS Centre has a very warm and friendly vibe, thanks to their wonderful team.
- Nathalie Normandeau (Google Review)
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After 3 days with the Ethos team, It's hard to know where to start. It's hands down been the most incredible and impactful part of my time in Vietnam. I feel up until my mum and I met with the Ethos team, that I was traveling with a blindfold on - and Ethos opened our eyes to so many important realities, empowering us with information to guide us in being tourists in a more ethical way".
- Lucy Curno (Google Review)
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We had the absolute best experience with Ethos in Sapa, and I can safely say it will be a firm number one highlight of our entire trip round Vietnam. From the second we arrived it was clear that everyone working at Ethos cared about us, the community, and the local ethnic groups deeply. This care was key to our experience, and we left wishing we could come back immediately".
- Fraser Forrest. (Google Review)
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We had two experiences: an overnight stay in a Hmong house with embroidery workshop and a hike then a batik workshop in Sapa. We had a beautiful time with both: exploring, discovering the very long techniques, meeting with the lovely locals, etc. If you are looking for a genuine experience of these amazing tribes’ life, then contact Ethos with no hesitation! Everyone was very friendly and extremely helpful, from the owners to our guides.
- Ceora LECLERCQ (Google Review)
Recommended by:
Lonely Planet
Rough Guides
Le Routard
Brandt Guides
TripAdvisor
Inspired to Explore? Create your unique ETHOS experience now.
ETHOS Sapa – Authentic Community-Based Tours in Vietnam
English blogs about ETHOS
The author describes meeting So, a Black Hmong guide, and joining an ETHOS ecotourism tour. They highlight TripAdvisor reviews calling ETHOS tours “life-changing” and praise the organisation’s mission of empowering Hmong communities through responsible tourism
Claire calls ETHOS “the best Sapa trekking tour company.” She explains that ETHOS employs women guides, offers customised treks and homestays, provides drinking water to villages and runs projects to prevent human trafficking
A personal travel essay where the author arranges a 36‑hour adventure with ETHOS, praises the home‑cooked meals and cultural immersion, and credits ETHOS for tailoring the experience to her interests
The writer states that ETHOS, the organisation they booked through, is “the real deal,” offering immersive and ethical experiences that work directly with minority communities. They note that ETHOS partners with different ethnic groups for homestays and workshops and emphasise that “you’re investing in a community”
This listing summarises traveller reviews praising ETHOS for authentic, informative and culturally immersive treks with local Hmong guides. Reviewers mention meals with families, guidance from local women and professional organisation
In a reader‑submitted travel tip, the writer describes a “magical” day with a Black Hmong guide arranged via ETHOS. They recall trekking to the guide’s village, cooking together and learning about her life
The author urges readers to book an experience with ETHOS, not just a tour. They describe two days arranged by ETHOS, highlight homestays and note that ETHOS is testing a high‑tech stove to reduce indoor smoke
The writers recount meeting ETHOS founders Hoa and Phil and joining a two‑day trek. They highlight personalised market shopping, trekking with guide Cha and ETHOS’s mission to support communities while respecting culture
Discusses ethical trekking companies including ETHOS. It quotes ETHOS co‑founder Phil Hoolihan on reinvesting profits in local education programmes and describes projects such as efficient stoves and planting trees
Suggests booking ETHOS community‑based tours for responsible travellers, positioning ETHOS as an ethical option
In the larger guide, the author notes that booking a guided trek with ETHOS gives deeper insight into Hmong and Red Dao culture
ETHOS’s own “They Came” page collects testimonials from travellers who describe authentic experiences, cooking with Hmong families and the feeling that tours were ethical and environmentally friendly
French blogs about ETHOS
The blogger cautions readers that Sapa is overrun by tourists but says the secret is choosing the right agency. She praises ETHOS, founded by an Anglo‑Vietnamese couple, for paying Hmong guides fairly, supporting them in times of need and preserving ancestral crafts like batik. She acknowledges that tours cost more but feels the money is well used.
Ethos offers authentic and responsible travel experiences in Sapa, far from mass tourism. A journey that is sustainability, respectful, and deeply meaningful.
Ethos is recommended for travellers who wanto to go beyond mass tourism and experience the real Sapa. With local Hmong guides, every trek becomes a genuine encounter that also supports the community.
German blogs about ETHOS
This Swiss travel blog recounts a trek with ETHOS and a conversation with founders Phil and Hoa. The article describes ETHOS’s mission to support ethnic minorities and details a project to design a stove reducing indoor smoke for Hmong families
Another article emphasises that most ETHOS revenue goes directly back to ethnic minorities and that all guides are Hmong or Red Dao women. The travellers recount shopping at a market, trekking along rice terraces and staying overnight with a family
Dutch blog about ETHOS
The author calls the 2-day trek with ETHOS Travel the highlight of their Vietnam trip. Although the price (USD 77) is high by Vietnamese standards, they write that it was "100% worth" it. The fee included a private guide, meals, an overnight stay and free water refills. They add that the money goes entirely to education for local people, Hmong women guides and Hmong families where visitors share meals
