Not sponsored

Where I actually put people up

No one paid to be on this page. These are the places I send guests to for the night — one or more per stop along the road, not a hand-picked "best of" list.

What all of these have in common: I keep sending guests back because of the people, not the furniture. Whoever is running the place notices when you need something before you have to ask twice, and the food is properly cooked, not reheated for tourists. Beds are made up fresh and the sheets are clean, every time I've checked.

None of them are styled. Fairy lights, plastic flowers, a stuffed toy propped on the pillow — that's the decor budget, and it shows. If you want a boutique hotel, this is not that. If you want somewhere run by people who care whether you slept well, it is.

Đồng Văn

  • A bedroom at Aladin homestay in Dong Van, bed made up with a mountain view through the open balcony door

    Homestay

    Aladin

  • A twin room at Bao Minh Hotel in Dong Van with a window looking over the rooftops

    Hotel

    Bao Minh Hotel

  • The viewpoint deck at Windy Hill in Dong Van, a pine tree over a stone terrace looking out at the mountains

    Homestay

    Windy Hill

Du Gia

  • Pa Chi Dua Homestay in Du Gia lit up at night, a wooden lodge above stone garden terraces

    Homestay

    Pa Chi Dua Homestay

Ha Giang City

  • Riders loading motorbikes outside Discovery Hostel in Ha Giang city

    Hotel

    Discovery Hostel

  • A quiet room at Su Hotel in Ha Giang city, dark wood floor and framed prints of the mountains

    Hotel

    Su Hotel

Meo Vac

  • A canvas tent on a wooden deck at A Lành Camping, looking down over Meo Vac town

    Camping

    A Lành Camping

Yen Minh

  • The terrace at Thẩm Mã Retreat in Yen Minh, stone floor and mountain views over the tea-plant railing

    Homestay

    Thẩm Mã Retreat

To book any of these: message me directly, or search the name on Google Maps — most of them show up.

Renting a bike without me

If you are not on one of my trips and still want a bike for a few days, message me directly — I rent these out myself. Prices are per day:

BikeEnginePrice per day
Honda Wave110cc$7
Honda Future125cc$12
Honda Winner150cc$13
Honda XR150cc$21
  • A red Honda XR enduro motorbike parked in a courtyard, ready for rental in Ha Giang

    Motorbike rental

    The Honda XR, ready to go

None of this is a guarantee. Small places change hands, close for a family funeral, or the cook is away for the week. If somewhere on this list lets you down, tell me — I would rather hear it than keep sending people to a place that has gone downhill.

Next step

Tell me your dates

I will tell you honestly whether it is a good time to come, and which trip fits you.