Ethos - Spirit of the Community

Ethos - Spirit of the Community

Ethos - Spirit of the Community
5
Cultural ToursBike ToursMotorcycle ToursHiking & Camping ToursPrivate Tours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
ETHOS are an ethical Social Enterprise that strive to offer experiential adventures. Our aim is to facilitate conscientious travellers in creating unique adventures whilst supporting local minority tribal people in helping themselves. The experiences are made by you and enhanced by our team of local guides who will use their vast knowledge and skills to support you in finding something special in the Sapa area. ETHOS tours create a regular and reliable source of income and also for our team and also provide the financial means through which we can implement a wider selection of projects within our community. From human trafficking awareness classes to support with health and literacy, our work is varied and much needed. All of this helps to foster a strong team spirit that we hope you will feel when you visit Sapa with us.
Sapa, Vietnam

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,441 reviews
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4
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These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Frank M
Zurich, Switzerland7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 • Solo
I can only recommend to book a tour with ETHOS. The booking itself was very uncomplicated and based on trust. I paid after the tour in their office. Every part of the transfer to Sa Pa, the treck itself and the journey back to Hanoi was perfectly organized. Hoa was very reliable, reachable, responsive and responsible.
The introduction by Phil was at the same time very entertaining and very interesting. I admire the effort they take to build up sustainable tourism, which includes the local people. I find it a very good concept, which should be supported.
The treck itself was a pleasure. My guide Cha is very clever and sympathic. Although the weather was quite cold and foggy, I enjoyed the two days a lot, mostly for the guidance of Cha, as she told me so many interesting things. But also besides the cultural aspects, it was a pleasure to treck with her as she is very sympathic, interested in so many topics and has good humour. The two lunch breaks, the dinner and the homestay were also perfect. All hosts were very kind and did their best to make the trip as enjoyable as possible. A big thank you to all!
Written 1 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with ETHOS! It's heartwarming to hear about such a positive journey, and your detailed review truly captures the essence of what makes ETHOS stand out. Firstly, the seamless booking process you described highlights the trust and professionalism that ETHOS instills in travellers who visit our region. It's reassuring to know that you felt comfortable paying after the tour, which is something our customer-centric approach holds as important. It sounds as if the organisation of the entire trip, from the transfer to Sa Pa, the trek, and the return to Hanoi, seemed to work without a hitch. It's evident that Hoa played a significant role in ensuring everything went smoothly. Her reliability, availability, and responsiveness are crucial elements that contribute to an stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. We’re also glad that our geopolitical introduction appears to have left a lasting impression. We feel it’s important to combine entertainment with informative content and are pleased that our passion and dedication is clear to see. It's inspiring to hear your regard for our commitment to sustainable tourism and our efforts to involve local communities. Such initiatives not only enhance the travel experience but also support and empower the local people, making tourism more meaningful and impactful Your trek experience with Cha sounds exceptional. Despite the cold and foggy weather, her cleverness, charm, and engaging storytelling made the journey enjoyable and memorable. It’s wonderful to hear how her humour and wide range of interests added to the cultural richness of the trek. The meals and homestay experiences also seem to have been highlights of the trip. The kindness and hospitality of the hosts undoubtedly contributed to making your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible Thank you for your heartfelt acknowledgment of their efforts. It's clear that ETHOS and the local hosts strive to create unforgettable experiences, and your appreciation is sure to resonate with them. Your recommendation will surely encourage others to embark on their own adventures with ETHOS!
Written 2 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sue S
Burlington, VT33 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
When I’ve been able to be at the Hmong Community Center, the headquarters of Ethos, and groups have returned from their Ethos-led tours, invariably the travelers are bursting with enthusiasm, and anxious to share the adventures they’ve had. Also, invariably, they say it’s the best travel experience they’ve had in Vietnam or, sometimes, their best travel experience ever.

Ethos trips are individually customized to your interests and abilities, and their guides are highly trained and very personable Hmong women, who lead groups often through their own home landscapes. Often, homestays and meals are involved in the Ethos experience. They’re so friendly and happy to share aspects of their culture and terrain and natural world that it’s easy to forget you’re a visitor from far away. There’s just about no other equivalence that allows for this kind of deep penetration into a world’s culture and ritual and art and nature so different than one’s own. All shared with a vibrancy and friendliness that is characteristic of the Hmong people in general and in Ethos’s guiding philosophy. It is indeed an org that’s committed to being the Spirit of the Community and after even a single day, you’ll quickly see how apt is the name.

It should also be said that Ethos is far from being a large corporation owned by outsiders or big business. Indeed, all the revenues generated are dispersed locally to employees or to members of the community who are in need.

I recommend highly trips of several days’ duration as they allow for maximum immersion, tho if, like myself, you are mobility challenged, there are workshops and classes in traditional arts and cooking and home visits that can be arranged. And I have no doubt you’ll walk away declaring that it’s been ‘the best travel experience’ you’ve had in Vietnam and possibly ‘the best travel experience’ you’ve had, ever.
Written 1 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben J
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing experience with Ethos. It is hard to find a tour operator who offers a set of itineraries while maintaining a unique experience, but I think Ethos have cracked it.

We were not sure on what trek to do, but after emailing back and forth with Hoa, she gave us good recommendations and helped nudge us towards a choice.

We did a one day trip to visit the Red Dao, followed by a two day, one night Buffalo Valley trek and would recommend both.

Our guide for the Red Dao trip, May Chan, was so knowledgeable, warm, kind and helpful. She led us to her home, through the countryside and past lots of farms, answering all our many questions.
We had a really tasty lunch and helped with some of the cooking. After lunch she showed us some sewing and (with incredible patience) helped us make some bracelets. We finished the visit with an amazing herbal bath. Definitely worth paying the few dollars extra!

We returned to Ethos the next day to begin our Buffalo Valley trek with our guide Chey (hopefully spelt correctly). She was so chatty and really looked after us. She told us all about the areas we were walking through and the traditions of the Hmong people. She cooked lunch for us with her beautiful family at her home and really welcomed us. The trek takes you through some amazing scenery and we stayed over in a homestay up in the hills with a really nice family with an adorable little baby girl who kept everyone entertained. The food was very tasty, they even cooked french fries for us. We slept in our own house just up hill from where we cooked. The bed was pretty hard but we slept well after all the walking.

It is clear Ethos really cares about its guides, the experience they provide and supporting the different communities. It has been one of the highlights of our trip to Vietnam and the guage to judge our other tour trips.

Even though Sapa town itself was quite busy with tourists (it was a weekend), once out in the villages we didn't see any other tourists, just plenty of water buffalos, rice terraces and cloud shrouded mountains.

If trekking, I'd definitely advise taking a bamboo walking stick from the office, it saved me from tumbling into the rice field more than once.

A great experience.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anthony D
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Friends
I had the chance to make two treks with Ethos. The trails have allowed me to admire the most beautiful landscapes I have seen in Vietnam. The paths pass through totally unspoilt nature areas as well as Hmong or Red Dao villages depending on the paths followed. During these two hikes of several hours I did not meet any other tourist. The experience offered by Ethos also includes an excellent and hearty traditional meal, as well as discovering local lifestyles in the homes of guides or their friends. These two experiences were exceptional especially considering the willingness to share my guides May Lai and Ker and their respective families. Their kindness, their pedagogy and their sense of hospitality were a real pleasure. I warmly thank them for their welcome. Shared moments will remain etched in my memory. Ethos understands an important social dimension and works to support local communities through its activity. I highly recommend their services and encourage anyone interested in this type of experience to turn to this company. I would like to thank all the people I have been in contact with during my visit to Sapa through Ethos.
Automatically translated
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience trekking with Ethos in Vietnam. It's great to know that you were able to enjoy the stunning landscapes and connect with the local Hmong and Red Dao communities. We take pride in providing authentic experiences, and it's heartwarming to hear that our guides, May Lai and Ker, along with their families, made your journey memorable with their kindness and hospitality. We believe that sharing local culture and traditions is a vital part of our mission, and we are delighted that you appreciated the traditional meal and insights into local lifestyles. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we are grateful for your support of our social initiatives aimed at aiding local communities. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!
Written 8 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Marie C
Rennes, France9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
The trek is preceded by a very informative discussion and explanation of the ethnic groups and their living conditions, which is highly valuable if we want to discover the peoples who live here, and why, in addition to the difficulties they face. Attention: everything in English (we explained to the children).
The trek is suitable for everyone - we were with our children 7 and 10 years old, our Guide was great and very attentive, considerate. She made wreaths for the children with flowers and ferns picked on the way, played with them, and took care of each one. The hike was fantastic, the scenery great.
We never felt compelled to do anything, very comfortable and very safe.
Awards are really very reasonable and service excellent.
We highly recommend.
Automatically translated
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience on the trek. It's great to know that the informative discussion about the local ethnicities and their way of life added to your understanding and appreciation of the region. We're especially glad to hear that your guide was attentive and made the trek enjoyable for your children. Creating flower crowns and playing with them sounds like a lovely touch that made the experience even more memorable! It's fantastic to hear that you found the hike comfortable and safe, and that the stunning landscapes left a lasting impression. We strive to offer excellent service at reasonable prices, and it's rewarding to know that you felt that way. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you and your family back for another adventure in the future!
Written 8 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jordan C
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Solo
This trekking tour was incredible. What an experience. Not only did I see some beautiful scenery away from the typical tours in the area, I got a real insight into how people very different to me live and view the world.

My tour guide May Linh had a very unique perspective on her land and the world as a whole. It was fascinating learning from her and asking as many questions as I could when I wasn’t trying to catch my breath.

Living with a local family in their home was inspiring in many ways. Though I didn’t speak their language and I didn't want to interrupt them with questions whilst they went about their day. Seeing the family dynamic. The joy the young children showed, smiling/laughing and even dancing as they moved through their home. The warmth in the eyes of their presumable grandmother. It taught me many things on what is needed for contentment. Especially with all the pressures inflicted upon them from outside forces.

They were incredibly generous, even though they had little compared to me. Graciously giving me rice wine, chillies from their own garden and when I asked to borrow a lighter for a moment, they gifted it to me without hesitation. These were small examples of the many things they did for me in such a short amount of time.

It has taken a few days for the experience to really sink in and I will carry it with me for the rest of my days.

Thank you to the members of ETHOS on a personal level for the kindness shown to me from all involved. Thank you for helping these communities monetarily. Thank you for helping these communities get the respect and admiration they deserve.

The profits go to helping the communities you visit and they can customise your trip based on your preferences and relative fitness level.
Written 9 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible experience on your trekking tour. It’s wonderful to know that you not only enjoyed the beautiful scenery but also gained valuable insights into the local culture and family dynamics. May Linh is indeed a fantastic guide, and it’s great to hear how her unique perspective enriched your journey. Your observations about the generosity and warmth of the local family are truly touching and reflect the spirit of the communities we work with. We are committed to supporting these communities and ensuring that they receive the respect and admiration they truly deserve. Your kind words about our efforts mean a lot to us. Thank you for being a part of this journey and for sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future! Safe travels!
Written 2 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DanitaKT
Mckinnon, Australia71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
So special! My teenage daughter and I had the privilege of trekking with Ethos. They are not your normal travel organisation. They care about making a positive impact on the lives of people in the communities that we visit as part of our trek. We kicked off by getting an overview of the live and challenges of the Ethnic minority groups in the Sapa region. This provided good context for us before we embarked on our trek.
We were privileged to have Tra (spelling?) as our guide for our two day and one night BuffaloTrek. Tra is a Black Hmong and a mother and grandmother who didn’t go to school but speaks great English; learnt through interacting with tourists.
During our trek through and across rice paddies, across undulating terrain, through villages, bamboo forests, past waterfalls and across waterways, Tra gave us insight into the lives of the Hmong people; many of whom live by subsistence farming- growing enough rice and crops (potatoes, carrots etc), raising chickens, pig and the like to feed their families (& guests like us); the also forage in the forests for their green vegetables. The women also make their own fabric and clothes from start to finish (amazing!!) These people live off the land and live in humble abodes. Tra gave us insight into the culture of the Hmong people including the roles of males and females. It was fascinating. She was also frantically working on her needlework preparing her jacket/ coat/ attire for Tet; very significant culturally.
We were privileged to join local families who opened their homes to us for lunches and dinner. Part of our experience was helping to prepare our meals. We also stayed overnight with a family who were just beautiful and so incredibly hospitable despite the language gap.
Tra has the ability to make all who cross paths with her feel special and to laugh. It was a little sad parting with Tra free two wonderful and insightful days together.
Ethos were amazing and I love their ethical approach- empowering women and girls from marginalised and significantly disadvantaged communities. Hoa and Phil are so caring and real.
If you want a real experience in which you don’t see other tourists as you’re too far off the beaten track, I cannot speak more highly of Ethos. I’d love to join them again for another trek!
Hoa also organised our train from Hanoi as well as our transfers from the train.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your beautiful written and heart felt review. These are the types of reviews we enjoy reading the most as you’ve outlined the many layers of your two day Ethos experience so well. There is a lot of work that goes into making every trek both unique and deeply experiential and it is clear you were able to gain so much from your two days together with Cha. Thanks again for joining us and we hope to see you again if you visit northern Vietnam again in the future.
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Riccardo L
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
We were a group of 4 and went for the 2 days Buffalo Trek. The experience is just incredible, you get to see and experience the real and authentic life of local families who will welcome you in their homes, share meals and spend time with you. Don’t expect anything touristic at all, as you will in fact not meet any tourist during the trek. The homestay is a typical Hmong home, don’t expect anything fancy as it is very basic - it may be challenging for someone however it gives a true, unflitered view of the life of local families. Our guide, A, was amazing ans extemely friendly, we had a fantastic time as she was always positive and keeping the morale up. The views that we experienced were incredible, as we literally walked of the beaten paths through rice fields and local villages - also in this case come prepared as trek may be slightly challenging in some parts especially if it rained, so pack appropriate gear. In a nutshell, a big thank you to Hoa, Phil, A and the whole ETHOS team for this experience, we’d do it again 100 times with no hesitation!!
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an incredible experience on the Buffalo Trek and enjoyed the authentic interactions with local families. It’s great to know that A, your guide, made a positive impact on your adventure with her friendly demeanor and support. We appreciate your understanding of the simplicity of the homestay, as it truly reflects the lifestyle of the Hmong community. Your advice about being prepared for the trek is invaluable for future trekkers, and we’re glad you were able to embrace the stunning views and the unique paths. Thank you for recognizing the efforts of Hoa, Phil, A, and the entire ETHOS team. We’d be delighted to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! Safe travels until then!
Written 2 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elena O
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Ethos is the perfect choice if you’re looking for authenticity and not mainstream local tours.

First of all Oha and Phil warmly welcomed us with coffee and breakfast. Phil gave us very important highlights about Sapa and the minority living in their area and this was really crucial in order to have better understanding of Ethos and their mission.

We have done 2 trekkings of 1 day each, both included lunch at a local family house.

The first one was the Res Dao experience, our guide was Mary May. She is really good in english but mostly smart and pro-active.
She will take you through the rice fields while explaining you everything about the herbal plants you are going to see. She will tell you a lot about Red Dao and their traditions.

The second day was an Hmong experience, our guide was Kea. She is 34, never went to school and learnt English from tourists, and believe me her english and her communication style are really impressive!
She took us at Hmong local market, literally we were the ONLY 2 TOURISTS at the market. We bought food and then we had lunch at an Hmong local house. The women were preparing the dresses for the new year’s eve. After that we went to a trekking of 5km through the rice fields and was really good !

Conclusion: we loved these two girls, the way the live keeping alive traditions but open to learn from people of different cultures while at the same time working as guide.
Ethos is about this: supporting women, supporting traditions, supporting the environment.

Elena&Giacomo
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. Finding a balance between a modernising world, tradition and culture is a very hard thing but Merry May and Ker are testament to how it is possible to do so while thriving. Sapa is a remarkable part of the world and we are delighted to read that you enjoyed your time with ETHOS so much.
Written 4 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Letizia G
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
If you want to do an authentic trekking in Sapa do not hesitate to contact ETHOS.
Everything is perfectly organized down to the details.
Before the trek they welcomed with a tea and kept our luggage and values in the safe.
Before leaving they do a very interesting briefing to tell the story of the people of these mountains. In addition, they give you the main information to tackle trekking.
There are various trekking options and duration. We chose the Buffalo Trek 2D 1N.
Our Guide has been exceptional to me. He guided us through the rice fields and villages answering all our curiosity in excellent English.
Lunch in a local village by a kind lady who showed us how to weave and create the fabrics they use for their typical clothes.
We stopped to sleep in a homestay, where a beautiful family welcomed us warmly. It was great to play with the children and help in the preparation of dinner.
The second day of trekking we stopped for lunch in another village. Always great meals.
At the end of the walk there was already a taxi waiting to take us back to the ETHOS headquarters where they welcomed us with you cold and fresh fruit.
We will remember the beautiful landscapes, but above all the kindness of all the staff and people of these areas and the smiles of their children.
We recommend this fantastic experience with ETHOS to everyone!
Automatically translated
Written 22 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an authentic trekking experience in Sapa with ETHOS. It's great to know that our organisation and attention to detail made your journey enjoyable, from the warm welcome with tea to the informative briefing about the local culture. We're delighted that you chose the Buffalo valley two day, one night trek and that My was able to enhance your experience with her knowledge and guidance. The interactions with the local community and the homestay sound truly memorable, and we’re glad you enjoyed the delicious meals and the warmth of the family. Your kind words about our staff and the beautiful landscapes mean a lot to us. Thank you for recommending ETHOS to others; we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! Safe travels!
Written 9 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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ETHOS - SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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