Sapa eco homestay offers a nature stay with rice terrace views. Prices are $15-$40/night at Eco Palms, Topas Ecolodge, Phơri’s House & Hmong Mountain Retreat.
I’ve stayed at several Sapa eco-homestays, all close to nature with views of terraced rice fields or mountains. Each has a unique local style, from ethnic bungalows to traditional houses, offering a slow, authentic cultural experience.
10 Sapa eco homestay that attract the most tourists
As a foreign traveler in travel Vietnam, I’ve tried many Sapa eco-homestays. They stand out with eco-friendly designs, natural materials, and a close connection to nature, each offering unique charm.
#1. Eco Palms House | Mid-range – 15-40 AUD/night
- Address: Lao Chai Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 098 566 30 25
Located in Lao Chai village with panoramic views of the Muong Hoa mountain train and valley, this place boasts 5 unique bungalows modeled after the traditional houses of the Mong, Red Dao, Tay, Giay, and Xa Pho ethnic groups.
To get here, I rented a motorbike from the center of Sapa, traversing winding trails to enjoy the tranquility about 11 km away from Fansipan mountain.
I chose to stay at a Wooden bungalow, a unique experience to immerse myself in the distinctive culture of the Giáy people, with rustic yet sophisticated interiors.
Services here are diverse, ranging from exploring the village by bicycle to relaxing dart games. Prices range from 330,000 VND (20 AUD) for the dormitory and 1,800,000 VND (110 AUD) for double rooms.
#2. VietTrekking Homestay | Budget-friendly – 5-10 AUD/person
- Address: 33 Hoang Lien Street, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 0214 6525 555
From the Food Street, I turned right at the Fansipan – Cau May intersection and walked to the end of the road to find a charming Sapa eco homestay with a white fence, completely separate from the hustle and bustle of the market.
This is a prime location that allows me to admire both the serene Sapa and the majestic Fansipan peak on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, all within a 5-minute drive.
On this budget trip, I chose to stay in the dormitory at the price of only 80,000 VND (5 AUD)/person, an extremely affordable price for a “fairyland” space shrouded in clouds every morning.
The service here is very attentive; in addition to dormitory rooms for up to 12 people, there are also single rooms at 200,000 VND (12 AUD) and double rooms at 300,000 VND (18 AUD), with a slight surcharge on weekends.
#3. Gem Valley | Budget-friendly – 5-10 AUD/person
- Address: Cat Cat Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 091 284 97 53
Located about 3 km from the town center on the road down to Cat Cat village, this is a homestay and art café owned by a very famous couple of Hanoi artists.
I had to contact them well in advance to have the chance to wake up amidst the magnificent terraced rice fields and enjoy breakfast with fresh vegetables picked right from their garden.
#4. Phơri’s House | Mid-range – 15-25 AUD/night
- Address: Ta Van Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 090 623 10 47
Nestled deep within Ta Van village, 10 km from the town center, Phơri’s House appears like a fairytale home beside a babbling stream, where I could sit on a large rock and read a book every afternoon.
The house’s design is rustic and close to nature, and the owner is particularly thoughtful, committing to absolutely no price increase during holidays or busy periods.
I chose to stay at a double room, cozy and affordable, at 750,000 VND (46 AUD) per night. We thoroughly enjoyed using the fully equipped kitchen to cook our own meals with fresh vegetables from the garden.
If you’re traveling in a large group of about 14 people, you can rent the entire house for approximately 3,000,000 VND (185 AUD) per day.
#5. Hmong Mountain Retreat | 20-40 AUD/night
- Address: Ban Ho, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 091 535 19 07
In Ban Ho, I found peace in a Sapa eco homestay with bungalows nestled on the mountainside, surrounded by lush green terraced rice fields and a beautiful man-made lake paved with stones.
The atmosphere here is imbued with the spirit of the Northwest mountains, making it the ideal place for me to leave behind the pressures of city life and immerse myself in the pristine nature of the highlands.
I have experienced both types where to stay: Hillside Bungalow at 800,000 VND (49 AUD)/person and shared-room stilt house to socialize with international friends at prices starting from 200,000 – 250,000 VND (12 – 15 AUD).
The service here focuses on authenticity, allowing me to enjoy romantic moments watching the clouds drift by outside my room.
#6. Sapa Eco Lodge | Mid-range – 25-35 AUD/night
- Address: Y Linh Ho Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 091 513 31 05
Nestled in isolation on a hilltop in Y Linh Ho village, Sapa Eco Lodge captivated me with its system of bungalows built from stone and forest wood, blending perfectly into the hillside.
To get there, I took a motorbike taxi from the town center for about 15 minutes, traversing winding, steep roads, but the reward was an incredible 360-degree panoramic view of the entire valley.
I chose to stay at a Deluxe room with mountain view at a price of approximately 900,000 VND (55 AUD). Spending a night here allowed me to enjoy professional service and an environmentally friendly biological wastewater treatment system.
The experience is well worth it, with customized trekking tours that take you through terraced rice fields to nearby villages.
#7. Topas Ecolodge | Premium – 40-60 AUD/night
- Address: Bản Lếch, Thanh Bình commune, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 024 3715 1005
Located 18 km from the center of Sapa, the Sapa Mountain Eco Lodge is a world-class eco-resort with circular white stone cottages scattered across the hilltops of Hoang Lien National Park.
I used the lodge’s private shuttle bus service to travel from the town, a safe and convenient journey through the misty haze.
I experienced the Executive Bungalow at a price of approximately 6,000,000 VND (368 AUD). The place has no TV or Wi-Fi at night, allowing me to truly “detox” from technology and connect with nature.
The service is extremely high-end, featuring a solar-powered heated infinity pool, providing ultimate relaxation amidst the vast wilderness.
#8. Sapa Clay House | Mid-range – 20-35 AUD/night
- Address: Lao Chai Village, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 096 528 81 60
Located in Lao Chai village, this Sapa eco homestay impressed me greatly with its traditional Ha Nhi architecture, featuring rammed earth walls that provide excellent temperature regulation.
I traveled there by taxi in about 20 minutes and felt incredibly warm amidst the cold Sapa weather thanks to the thick, durable, and rustic earthen walls.
I stayed in an Earth House room at a price of approximately 1,500,000 VND (92 AUD). We were very satisfied with the Red Dao herbal bath service right in the wooden tub inside our room. The experience at Clay House combines ancient architecture and modern amenities, reflecting the distinctive lifestyle of the local people.
#9. Sapa Jungle Homestay | Budget-friendly – 10-25 AUD/night
- Address: Dien Bien Phu Street, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 091 622 36 29
Located right on Dien Bien Phu street near the city center, this place is like a hidden little forest with recycled wooden houses integrated into a dense green ecosystem.
The location is extremely convenient as it is very close to the Fansipan cable car station, allowing me to easily conquer the “roof of Indochina” early in the morning without rushing.
I stayed in a Wooden Cabin at an average price of around 600,000 VND (37 AUD). Enjoying a night here offered fresh air and complete privacy in the heart of town. The service is highly personalized, featuring cozy outdoor BBQ parties led and prepared by the host themselves.
#10. Heaven Gate Eco Homestay | Mid-range – 15-30 AUD/night
- Address: The summit of O Quy Ho Pass, Sa Pa, Lao Cai.
- Phone number: 098 333 33 05
Located at the highest point of the O Quy Ho Pass, this homestay takes advantage of the natural cliffs and rustic wood to create majestic rooms that “touch the clouds.”
I drove my motorbike for about 30 minutes from Sapa, traversing the legendary road to witness the glorious sunset from the wooden balcony perched precariously on the cliff.
I chose the Attic Room at a price of approximately 700,000 VND (43 AUD). Staying overnight allowed me to fully experience the pristine beauty of Heaven’s Gate and enjoy the local specialty, sturgeon hotpot.
The service is very convenient; it only takes 5 minutes to visit the famous Silver Waterfall and Love Waterfall nearby.
05 things to note before booking an eco-friendly homestay in Sapa
To travel Vietnam and have a truly eco-friendly vacation at Sapa Mountain Eco Lodge without disappointment, you need to understand the unique characteristics of secluded accommodations in the valley. Don’t let the dreamy images online blind you to the realities of the terrain and amenities in the highlands.
- Ask carefully about the slope and the types of vehicles that can access the location: Many homestays in Lao Chai and Ta Van have very narrow and steep access roads; please confirm whether a 4-seater taxi can get there or if you will have to walk for a kilometer carrying your suitcase.
- Verify the soundproofing performance of the wood/bamboo walls: Houses designed with stilts or bamboo walls are often very thin, so you should ask whether the room you intend to have has solid walls or half-height walls to avoid “hearing” noises from the next room.
- Check the cold-resistant equipment (electric blanket/heater): Sapa gets extremely cold at night, and eco-friendly accommodations often have natural gaps; make sure your homestay has an electric blanket or a wood-burning stove so you don’t freeze while sleeping.
- Prepare yourself mentally for an insect “visit”: Since it’s located in the middle of a rice field, it’s inevitable that there will be mosquitoes, crickets, or other insects in the room; ask if the bed is equipped with a mosquito net.
- Note regarding phone and Wi-Fi signals: In remote valleys, 4G and Wi-Fi signals are often unreliable or nonexistent; you should download offline maps in advance and prepare forms of entertainment that don’t require internet access.
Conclusion
Concluding my journey, the Sapa eco homestays were not just places to rest, but bridges that brought me back to my pristine self amidst the majestic mountains. Choosing to stay at a Sapa eco homestay helps preserve cultural heritage and maintain the sustainable greenery of the legendary terraced rice fields.
