A homestay is one of the best ways to truly experience Vietnam. A visitor will be accommodated by a local family to better learn the local lifestyle and culture. Most homestays are in people’s homes that have been upgraded to be acceptable to a visitor’s standard. The accommodation can range from a private bedroom in a family’s home, to small private bungalows or even a dormitory for student groups. There is simply no better way to get a better understanding of the people and surrounding life.

A lot of people from the ethnic minorities in the villages in northern Vietnam provides homestay in tourist but also in non-tourist areas. These people are usually not certified guides or employees of travel agencies. It is important that they know very well the place where they live and show you the right places and village life. Some of them have the basic knowledge of English, others speak English very well. They learn the English from the tourists who visit them. Communication is usually not a problem. If there is a communication problem, use your hands, or feet, you can also use Google translator.

For a high rate of authenticity it is recommended to try homestay accommodation with locals. But you must forget for the comfort and luxury around. Do you want to see the hard work in the rice fields or even try it, see how they kill a pig, or attend a wedding or funeral, to see how the local people make clothes? If so, you leave this place and Vietnam with experiences!