Sin Chai Village

The basics

There’s no charge to visit Sin Chai Village. Most travelers arrive on a day hike (fun and challenging options including visiting several waterfalls) or on a multi-day trekking trip, which lets you spend one or more nights with locals to get further off the beaten track. But it is also accessible by motorbike; some travelers explore on two wheels. Most people find trekking with a local guide more rewarding than hiking independently.

Things to know before you go

• Hikers, active travelers, and folk interested in local culture will likely find their way to Sin Chai village.

• Bring layers if trekking over the winter season, when night-time temperatures routinely drop to 55°F (13°C)—plus cozy nightwear if staying in a homestay.

• Avoid giving money or candy to children. If you want to bring gifts, notebooks and pencils encourage them to go to school.

• Sin Chai Village is not a realistic destination for travelers who rely on wheelchairs or have limited mobility.

How to get there

Sin Chai Village is about a 2-mile (3-kilometer) hike from central Sapa. Follow the well-signposted route towards Cat Cat Village and turn off to the right. You can also reach it in about 10 minutes by motorbike.

When to get there

Sapa has two seasons: hot and wet or less wet and cool. Hiking is generally more fun during the drier, cooler season, which runs roughly mid-October to mid-April, but to see the rice fields at their most lush and green, you should visit during the wet period: July and August are great times to catch the rice in a range of hues and stages.

Hmong homestay etiquette

The Hmong people take ancestor worship very seriously, so to help preserve their culture, it’s important to follow their rules. Stay away from any house with a bamboo cane or tree branch in front of it: It’s taboo and must not be disturbed. Always sit or sleep where your host asks you to sit or sleep, and never point your feet towards the family altar. Do not start to eat or turn your bowl upside down when the head of the family is lighting incense to the ancestors before the meal.