Introduction to ETHOS - Spirit of the Community
ETHOS are a social enterprise run by mixed Anglo-Vietnamese couple together with Hmong and Dao tribal people in the highlands of Northern Vietnam.
Here we introduce you to our team and hope to welcome travellers wishing to explore the Sapa area in an ethical, sustainable and authentic way.
We offer true community based tourism experiences for those seeking to experience ethnic minority culture in a way that supports and empowers.
So's House
Introducing So, a wonderful Black Hmong Mountain guide from Sapa, Vietnam. In this short clip, So gives us a brief walk around her traditional home.
ETHOS - Spirit of the Community
Litter Collection in Sa Pa, Xa Xeng and Hang Da Villages
Hmong Hemp with My at Ethos Spirit of Community Travel Sapa
Hi everyone meet My a Black Hmong girl living at ETHOS - Spirit of the Community with her mum. She will be our teacher today and explain and demonstrate how Hmong people from her village grow and weave hemp fabric step-by-step.
Exploring the Northern Vietnamese highlands by motorbike
ETHOS experiences combine spectacular scenery, awesome culture and epic roads to deliver the most thrilling way of seeing off the beaten track Vietnam.
Spring in Sapa
With the corn, hemp and indigo growing beautifully, May is a fantastic month to visit Sapa and explore more about the Hmong produce their exquisite clothing.
Another side of Sapa
Those who grumble about Sapa being overly touristic and a place struggling with overdevelopment clearly need a better sense of adventure.
The district is home to almost 30,000 hectares of incredible national
park. This area consists of a high mountain system, including Fansipan peak. In terms of forest vegetation, Hoang Lien National Park is home to more than 2,000 species of plants.
Beside a rich forest flora, the forest fauna is extremely diverse with 66 species of mammals, including black gibbons, hornbills, silver langurs, 347 species of birds such as large-spotted eagles, red crested pheasant. There are also 41 species of amphibians and 61 reptile species.
ETHOS run exclusive trekking trips within the park area including camping options and sustainable foraging expeditions. If you really want to get off the beaten track, we are specialists in adventure.
ETHOS - Spirit of the Community - trip to Sin Ho
The highland market town of Sin Ho offers a mix of stunning scenery and diverse ethnic communities.
Black Hmong funeral - Sapa
Hmong funerals last several days and are seen as a time to remember the deceased as well as to mourn, talk, reminisce, and even laugh together. In rooms rooms an annexes where visitation is not going on, mourners may gather to play games, sleep, eat, and play music. Relatives keep watch at the funeral home night and day.
Funerals are the most elaborate of rituals, with the purpose to guide the soul back to the placental jacket, or motherland, then to Heaven to ask for reincarnation.
Death is often considered the most important time for practicing rituals in the Hmong community because without them, the fear is is that ones soul may roam for eternity.
In Hmong culture, the soul of the dead person is believed to return to their birthplace prior to travelling to the afterlife to meet ancestors and get reincarnated.
The high status of water buffalo is evident in their place in Hmong animist lifecycle ceremonies, especially funerals, in which the sacrificed animal is said to accompany and guide the deceased person on their journey to the underworld.
Music: DJPeter
Single track riding in Sapa District
7 Days in Sapa with Ethos: Day 1
Follow Haute Culture's 7 days in Sapa vlogs. Over the next week, I will be visiting and working the Lu, Ha Nghi, Dao, Hmong and Tay people with ETHOS - Spirit of the Community to try and develop a series of tribal textiles activities for people visiting Vietnam.
Outdoor Vietnam - Culture - Homestays - Trekking - Kayaking - Cycling
Every traveller dreams of experiencing the real Vietnam, untouched by tourism with rich culture, wildlife and scenery that is as unique as it is spectacular. Our four day Ha Giang / Tuyen Quang special involves meeting the Dao, Nung and Tay ethnic groups, while jungle trekking, cycling and Kayaking in one of Vietnam’s best kept secrets.
Project Sapa
Project Sapa is led by collection of local businesses and community leaders committed to preserving a place we love.
With aims to organise regular clean ups, support with education, reforestation and improve awareness for both travellers and locals, we hope to preserve and enhance the natural beautiful of the Sapa area.
Exploring Northern Vietnam
Our “Cinnamon Loop” takes in the changing scenery of Lao Cai, Ha Giang and the extremely remote Tuyen Quang Province.
From Cinnamon forests to tea plantations and rice terraces, this loop has it all. We ride along mountain passes and through vast plains and ancient forests. This four day loop is a great way of discovering some of Vietnams greatest secrets.
Day one involves the longest ride with an epic 270km ride down the Muong Hoa Valley before heading east towards the provincial border and into the heart of the north.
Big My's House
Introducing My, a wonderful Black Hmong Mountain guide from Sapa, Vietnam. In this short clip, My and her husband give us a brief walk around their traditional home.
Mountain Riding - Motorbike rides from Sapa
ETHOS have a team of intrepid riding enthusiasts who are always looking out for amazing locations and interesting adventures. From hidden waterfalls to mountain trails in tribal villages, we can find just the ride for your biking ability and experience.
Our guided tours include motorbike, safety equipment, guide, fuel, meals, entrance fees, drinks and overnight accommodation. We offer the most authentic homestays and immersive tours in all of Vietnam.
All trips have a strong cultural emphasis with shared meals in tribal homes and fluent English speaking ethnic minority guides.
Thank you from ETHOS - Spirit of the Community
ETHOS projects have natural steps and we thank you sincerely for helping us to reach our initial target. The $13,500 target will be used to finance a new tourism licence. This will directly benefit our community by allowing us the opportunity to create meaningful employment for our ethnic minority team. The value of this licence is hard to put into words. The far reaching positive impacts will be felt by many underprivileged families across the region.
Here is message from our guide team...
Our team wish to thank everyone who contributed and shared.
Ha Giang Loop - Day 2
ETHOS - Spirit of the Community are always striving to offer unique and meaningful cultural experiences. As part of our commitment to offer the best tours, we recently completed a six day feasibility trip to the North East of Vietnam.
Ker's House
Introducing Ker, a wonderful Black Hmong Mountain guide from Sapa, Vietnam. In this short clip, Ker and her husband give us a brief walk around their home.
Sapa Dancing Clouds
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