5 reasons to spend time at a homestay in Southeast Asia •1 min read Image Boarding a plane for Southeast Asia is an adventure in itself, but in our experience, time at a homestay beyond well-trodden tourist trails remain a treasured highlight.Curious but not sold?Here are 5 top reasons to spend a night or two at a homestay.1. Get to know the localsImage From letting their hair down and relaxing in the evening as scents of dinner waft through the air, to hearing the pitter patter of kids playing in the morning as everything wakes up, homestays are an opportunity to get to know the locals, rather than simply “visit” them.2. Eat the freshest foodImage “Farm-to-plate” dinners in the West are often the preserve of gastropubs. But whether you’re in the countryside making friends with your dinner before its demise (at least you know where it came from) or staying in a city where sprawling markets with fresh produce line every street, food doesn’t come much fresher than at a homestay.Get hands-on (and feet in) at rice paddies or join local fisherman to try your hand at throwing nets for your very own catch of the day; you may look at food a little differently when you return home.Top 5 food experiences in Vietnam3. Give back to the communityImage There should always be a fair exchange when travelling; you’ve come a long way to appreciate a country, and its residents are happy to share it with you. Keep this relationship a sustainable one by supporting small communities rather than large corporations.As well as income for the people or community you stay with, help with daily tasks is not only a valuable contribution, but promises to be a memorable experience.4. Escape modern lifeImage Many of us spend our lives behind a screen, and while Wi-Fi in Southeast Asia is unlikely to meet speeds you’re used to at home, you will be able to upload the odd photograph to social media while staying in cities. Homestays in rural areas offer a break from the trappings of modern life; feel your shoulders relax as you set aside your phone and tourist tick-list to join the gentle rhythm of life in the village.5. See more of the countrysideImage A village can be a small dot against staggering mountains or brilliant green rice paddies. A night or two at a homestay gives you the opportunity to spend quality time in these beautiful surroundings beyond the constraints of a day trip. Your homestay hosts or a local guide may even show you to some hidden highlights.A homestay experience might feel like an adventurous leap, but once you’ve settled in to your new room, eaten a fresh meal and had a sip or two of local rice wine, it might be a struggle to leave!Our team have arranged countless rewarding homestays, get in touch to get planning or check out our Vietnam Tailormade Journeys. Speak with a destination specialistFriendly, dedicated people who care as much about your trip as you do.Get in touchDownload a brochure Share thisfacebooktwitterlinkedinemail You may also like South Korea How to Experience K‑Pop Demon Hunters in Seoul From fortress walls and royal palaces to K‑pop dance floors and late‑night snacks, here’s five ways to experience K‑Pop Demon Hunters for yourself. Vietnam Field notes: From Pu Bin to Pu Luong – Vietnam’s rural reaches Travel writer Dan Stables recounts his recent trip to Pu Bin and Pu Luong, in the Mai Chau hills of Vietnam. Vietnam Field notes: A visit to the Con Dao islands Lorna Parkes, executive editor of National Geographic Traveller, tells us why this tiny archipelago of 16 islands should be part of your Vietnam trip.