Avana Retreat

The rooms were spacious, thoughtfully designed, and really comfortable. We also loved the daily complimentary kombucha. Getting around the large resort was easy: we requested a buggy through the app, and it usually arrived within five minutes. The pool and restaurants were simple to reach that way. We visited in early May, when the rice fields were nearly ready for harvest and looked picture-perfect. Rain meant our planned adventure trek became a guided walk to a Hmong village, which gave us a lovely glimpse of daily life and culture in one of Vietnam’s ethnic minority communities. The resort is remote, about a four-hour journey from Hanoi airport, but we felt the trip was worth it. The staff and guides were great; 97% are local and work hard to give guests a good experience. As vegetarians, we preferred the Western options to the Vietnamese vegetarian dishes, though we still enjoyed the food overall. A memorable stay in peaceful, beautiful surroundings.

The resort supports the local community by employing and training local people, and guests can learn local skills or visit the villages on foot. We stayed four nights in a lovely little house tucked into the jungle and were sorry to leave. Buggies take you around, the pool has a stunning view, and both the cocktails and food were delicious. I thoroughly recommend it.

The people here are what make the place so special. The staff really go out of their way to make your stay a good one. The spa is amazing and the facilities are fantastic. I can't put into words how wonderful it is, and I'd highly recommend staying here if you're in Vietnam.

The restaurant is very well run, with a wide menu of local and international dishes as well as vegetarian choices. The small villas are beautifully designed and equipped with everything needed for comfort. There’s also a spa, museum, fitness center, pool, and a peaceful Laguna, all of which make for a relaxing stay. Set among lush rice paddies and mountains, it’s a distinctive place with a real focus on biodiversity and inventive hospitality. A lovely option for a personal or family retreat.