Authentic Experience of Sapa
A Warm Welcome to Sapa local guide
Traveling during the Lunar New Year is a truly special experience in Vietnam. It is a time of reflection, family reunions, gratitude, and new beginnings. At Sapa Local Guide, we believe that transparency, cultural understanding, and mutual respect are essential to creating meaningful travel experiences—especially for our European guests who value authenticity, fairness, and local connection.
This article is written to clearly explain our Lunar New Year 2026 service notice, while also sharing the cultural and human story behind it. We hope this helps you better understand why this period is unique in Sapa and how your visit directly supports local communities.
Lunar New Year 2026: Important Service Information
During the Lunar New Year holiday from February 15 to February 23, 2026, all tours and services provided by Sapa Local Guide will be subject to a 10% peak-season surcharge.
This surcharge applies to all services, including:
- Trekking tours and cultural experiences
- Transportation and transfers
- Meals and food services
- Accommodation and homestays
- Local guiding services
The surcharge helps us maintain service quality during the busiest and most meaningful holiday period of the year.
Guests will be informed of this surcharge in advance, and you may choose to pay it upon arrival in Sapa or during check-in, whichever is more convenient for you.
Why Lunar New Year Is Different in Sapa
For many European travelers, Lunar New Year may feel similar to Christmas or New Year holidays at home. However, for ethnic minority communities in Sapa—especially the Black H’mong people—this time holds even deeper meaning.
The Black H’mong communities living in and around Sapa are primarily subsistence farmers. Throughout the year, daily life revolves around terraced rice fields, corn fields, and mountain farms. Work is physically demanding, income is modest, and life follows the rhythm of the seasons rather than the clock.
Unlike modern urban lifestyles, local families do not have regular holidays. Lunar New Year is the only extended break of the entire year.
The Only Time to Rest, Reflect, and Reunite
Each year, from late December to early January of the lunar calendar, and especially from February 14 to February 23, local families finally have time to:
- Rest after a full year of farming and guiding work
- Reunite with parents, siblings, and extended relatives
- Review the past year’s efforts and achievements
- Prepare mentally and emotionally for the year ahead
It is a time for family meals, traditional rituals, ancestral respect, and quiet joy—values that many European guests deeply appreciate and understand.
How the 10% Surcharge Supports Local People
The Lunar New Year surcharge is not simply a seasonal price adjustment. It is a direct form of community support.
This additional fee allows Sapa Local Guide to:
- Provide New Year bonuses for local ethnic guides
- Support homestay families during the holiday period
- Cover higher transportation and operational costs
- Ensure fair income for drivers, hosts, and service partners
By choosing to travel with us during this time, you are helping local families begin the new year with stability, dignity, and happiness.
Ethical Tourism: A Shared Value with European Travelers
Many European travelers choose Sapa Local Guide because of our commitment to ethical and responsible tourism.
The Lunar New Year surcharge reflects values that resonate strongly with European guests:
- Fair pay for local workers
- Respect for cultural traditions
- Transparency in pricing
- Long-term community sustainability
Your understanding and support allow tourism to remain a positive force rather than a burden during this sacred period.
What to Expect When Traveling During Lunar New Year
Traveling during Lunar New Year offers unique rewards:
- A quieter, more intimate atmosphere in villages
- Deeper cultural exchanges with host families
- Traditional New Year foods and celebrations
- A rare opportunity to witness authentic local life
At the same time, services operate with smaller teams and limited availability, which is why maintaining quality requires additional resources.
Payment Options and Transparency
To ensure clarity and comfort for our guests:
- You will be informed of the surcharge in advance
- You may choose to pay upon arrival in Sapa or at check-in
- No hidden fees or unexpected charges
This approach aligns with European expectations for clear, honest, and respectful communication.
A Message of Gratitude from Sapa Local Guide
We sincerely appreciate your understanding, empathy, and support during this special time of year.
By traveling with Sapa Local Guide during Lunar New Year, you are not just booking a tour—you are becoming part of a shared journey built on trust, cultural respect, and human connection.
Our New Year Wishes to You
We truly look forward to welcoming you to Sapa in the early days of the Lunar New Year.
May your journey be filled with:
- Meaningful encounters
- Peaceful moments in nature
- Warm family-style hospitality
- Lasting memories from the mountains of Northern Vietnam
From all of us at Sapa Local Guide, we wish you a joyful, healthy, and fulfilling New Year.
Thank You for Your Trust
Thank you for taking the time to read this service notice and cultural explanation.
Your trust and continued support mean a great deal to us and to the local communities we proudly represent.
Sapa Local Guide Team