Sapa Red Dao Village Half-Day Guided Hike & Herbal Foot Bath

We enjoyed our time with May. She customized the walk based on our ability (we took many breaks, I needed them). She made bamboo canes for each of us to helped with the uphill walk. She also explained each of the medicinal properties of the plants she picked along the way. She was caring and attentive. Our walk ended with lunch (reminded me of my mom's cooking) and a herbal foot bath/soaked. Since we are both Mien (aka Red Dao in Vietnam) and it was just us, we conversed mostly in Mien. It was interesting to learn the subtle differences in our language based on our geography (Thai/Lao Mien vs Vietnam Mien). If I were to visit Sapa again, I would do it again. Note: there were women (Red Dao and Hmong) who will try to sell their textiles to you at the end. I know I can get the same thing at the market at a cheaper price, but I didn't have the heart to bargain for a few dollars. I just bought at stated price to support.

Love this experience! May was very nice and knowledgeable, we learned about her culture and picked some medicinal leaves in the bamboo forest. It was a hot sunny day, but the view was worth it. At the end of the hike we had lunch at May’s sister house, and the food was very good, we loved everything. See you again, May!

We had such a wonderful trekking experience with our guide May. She was very friendly, caring, and explained many interesting things to us along the way, especially about the herbs, their uses, and how local village life works, which made the experience very meaningful. After the long trekking day, we had a home-cooked meal at a local resident’s house, which felt very heartwarming and authentic. We also ended the day with a herbal foot bath, which was much needed after all the walking. The views were beautiful and peaceful, making the whole experience feel very special. Definitely an experience worth trying, and I would love to go back again! 🥰

Our guide, May, was extremely hospitable. She showed us around the village and guided us up the mountain, teaching us about the various plants and herbs that the Dzao people used to make medicines. When she saw a few of us struggling on the trail, she fashioned a walking stick made out of young bamboo and ensured that we were safe throughout the entire trek. Afterwards, she was kind enough to bring us to her in law's house where she prepared the medicinal foot bath made out of the plants collected during the trek and provided a hearty home cooked meal. The hospitality she showed touched us deeply and we also learned a lot about the Dzao people and their culture through her. Will definitely recommend but be prepared to wear hiking clothes and boots when you visit!

we had a fun and insightful full morning doing an easy hike and learn about how nature herbs and leaves and boost health with our cute and friendly guide Mây. Mây’s instructions on pick up was clear, her English is great and she took care of us throughout.

What an amazing tour! May guided thoughtfully guided us through the bamboo forest and showed us the different types of medicine that the local Red Dao people use for tea and healing herbal baths. I wasn’t confident on the trail, though May and her 2nd guide helped me through with care and I didn’t slip once! It had rained the day before so the trails were still a bit wet, though with the assistance and the bamboo hiking stick May had made us, I was okay. May then took us through the village where we had our healing foot baths, and let me tell you - it was a god send after the walking. We then had lunch at her beautiful Sister in Law’s home, and they gave us some happy water. If you’re looking for something more in touch with nature and to learn about the local Red Dao people with out the other flocks of tourists, please chose May!! She even arranged for her husband to take us to our next stop(literally writing this from the car now!) Thank you for an awesome morning 🙌🏽🕊️

perfect day out and perfect weather with my Guide May 😜so exciting! little slippery and challenging but she was an angel and made me a bamboo hiking stick. the local herbs are super cool and i wished i knew more about them! we also went past all the beautiful cafes homestays and padi fields which is looking perfect this time on year 1sep 👌the local red dao and hmong r often with us on hiking trails lending a helping hand so happy to tip them they r super strong and amazing even at senior age. i loved the experience and decided to take the challenging muddy path. slip and fell once but no big issue 😂and then had a nice lunch with the family after my herbal bath (topped up a small fee for the bath instead of foot soak) pls support them!!! hardworking locals :

I participated on February 2, 2025. I made a mistake at the meeting place and was late, but the driver solved everything. Also, MAI, a Jao who guided me to collect local medicinal herbs, supported me very naturally. A Vietnamese acquaintance of mine said that he didn't know such an activity existed. I especially recommend it if you want to participate in a small group (from 1 person).

We had a really excellent morning being taken by our guide, May, through her village and gathering herbs along the way. We learned a lot about the local community and after a long and informative walk ended up at May’s very comfortable house and had a really excellent lunch cooked by May’s husband washed down with “happy water”! We finished up the day with a Herbal Foot bath which was really relaxing. May’s organisation and local knowledge were outstanding. I would thoroughly recommend this tour.

Mai is so lovely and kind! we walked around to collect herbal leaves for about 1.5-2 hours. she told me about each leaf and what they're used for. there's a lot of wonderful views, including a waterfall. after, we went to her sister in law's house and had lunch. I played with their baby and talked a little with their older son. thank you Mai for a great trip! btw, wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy!!