Nha Lua homestay

Hoang and his family built the homestay themselves, and the care shows in the little handmade touches, right down to the bamboo lampshades. The garden is stunning, and their homemade meals were delicious, with plenty of vegetarian options. They were so kind and accommodating, and it was a lovely place to recharge after busy Hanoi. We had a great time exploring on the bikes and scooter Hoang let us use. Tourist spots, the local village, and the lagoon were all easy to get to. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to explore, relax, and experience authentic Vietnam.

I came for the day from Trang An to explore Van Long nature reserve, and rented one of their bikes. The surroundings are a lovely way to get a feel for authentic Vietnam, and lunch afterward was really tasty. The tropical garden is super nice, and the host speaks English and was very helpful with my questions about Vietnamese culture. If you’re lucky, you might spot monkeys or langurs while cycling, though it was too cold on the day I visited. Bikes are available to rent.

Van Long gave me a nice break from crowded Ninh Binh, and I could rent a scooter from Hoang for a cheap price to explore. I stayed four nights at Nhà Lúa, and everything was great. Hoang was welcoming and helpful, and made delicious breakfast and dinner every day. The room was spacious and very clean, the garden was beautiful, and the pool was a perfect extra. I highly recommend staying here!

It’s a cozy spot in the countryside, away from the usual tourist route, with a beautiful garden at its center. The owner is very helpful and provides bikes and motorbikes.