Ta Van commune is situated 20 km from Sapa. One of its villages is called Ta Van Giay because it is populated by Giay ethnic minority people. This quiet village is a popular tourist draw. In front of many homes are hand –lettered signs that say “Homestay”.

In Ta Van Giay village, Hoang Muc was the first person to offer this service to tourists. Muc said about twenty years ago a group of foreign tourists came to visit his village and it was too late for them to leave. The tour guide then asked if they could stay in Muc’s house. Since then, Mr. Muc has been accommodating tourists: "My family has lived here for generations. The first tourists arrived here around 1995-1996. But it was not until 1997 that we first offered tourists accommodation. They were Danish tourists. We had nothing at the time- no bedclothes, mattresses, or nets. They slept on a pile of rice and corn”.

Since this experience with the Danes, the villagers of Ta Van Giay have found an additional way to earn a living. Homestay service is appreciated by tourists who want to experience local life for a few days. They come mostly from Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, or Norway. With the help of their guides, they can converse with the owners, who are always polite and hospitable.

Host: Ten: four boys, six girls.

Guest:  Your house is great, you all live here?

Host: My eldest son lives elsewhere with his family; my other two sons are not married yet.

Guest:  Do you receive tourists daily?

Host: Yes, but there are times when there are not many visitors.

Maja comes from Norway. She is amazed by the landscape and the daily life of the Giay in Sapa. She feels comfortable staying at Hoang Muc’s house:

Foreign tourists used to spend the day visiting the villages around Sapa and then return to Sapa to sleep a hotel. Now many prefer to stay in a local home to learn more about local culture and be closer to nature.