When was the last time you rewarded yourself with some quality time to clear your mind, to do your overstressed brain a favor by reconnecting with nature? According to Harvard Health Publishing, nature significantly has the power to relieve stress, and mental fatigue caused by the fast-paced modern life and to boost our heart and metabolic health. In other words, being near nature simply helps us be happier and healthier. So now, it’s about time to get away from the bustling cities surrounded by concrete jungles to reconnect with Mother Nature.
The following is a list of our 10 secluded yet luxurious retreats tucked away in some of the most remote corners of Vietnam, from North to South. Add them to your Vietnam trip as they will you a much-needed break with a healthy dose of nature.
Starting off this list is Avana Retreat - the youngest among the other resorts. Opened in late April 2021, Avana Retreat has quickly gained the attention of those who are seeking ultimate experiences in pristine nature and authentic culture. An ideal place to disconnect yourself from the modern world and explore the ethnic cultures of Mai Chau - an idyllic mountain destination in northern Vietnam.
Spreading over a 15-hectare area, Avana offers 36 spacious bungalows, suites, and pool villas. You can expect uninterrupted views of the mountains, valleys, and terraced rice fields from your room, and moreover, the ultimate privacy that you are always wishing for. This mountainous gem also has an Orchid Spa running along a murmuring stream for you to unwind in nature and an infinity pool overlooking the idyllic scene of some ethnic Hmong working in the fields. One of the best awe-inspiring swimming pools with a view!
Dining at the charming Green Chili Restaurant with exquisite dishes or chilling at the Cloud Pool Bar with tropical sunset cocktails for an exceptional culinary experience. Showing the retreat’s commitment to sustainability and local development, most of the food is cooked with seasonal, organic ingredients that come from local farmers in the region.
The efforts to preserve the natural beauty and local heritage of Avana have been paid off when the retreat was announced to be Asia's Leading Retreat 2021 & 2022 by the noble World Travel Awards.
Accessible only by boat and located on a dramatic bay overlooking the unspoiled beach of the East Vietnam Sea, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. All 62 villas are either built on impressive rock formations or dotted beautifully on the hill of towering mountains.
Each villa also offers a private pool, which is the best spot to relax and immerse yourself in the beauty of a romantic sunset over Ninh Van Bay - one in Top 10 most beautiful beaches in Vietnam.
Following the stepping stones along the hill, you will be then welcomed by the resort’s spa with traditional Vietnamese therapies and local body treatments, where you can rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Besides, countless indoor as well as outdoor activities such as cruising, diving, cooking class, picnic on the beach or a morning hike to visit the endangered monkeys are waiting for you.
After a scenic 70-minute drive from Cam Ranh International Airport, it feels like the rest of the world is a million miles away as you surround yourself with pristine jungles and sandy beaches in Amanoi Resort. Perched on a remote cliff on the rocky coastline of Vietnam, Amanoi is no doubt a secluded paradise for nature lovers. The resort’s unique location also ensures each of the 31 slate-roofed pavilions comes with a gorgeous view over the Vinh Hy Bay or the surrounding hillside.
From their curving roofs to the surrounding latticed windows and wood furniture, Amanoi’s Pavilions and Villas let the traditional Vietnamese architecture shine at its best.
Located on the shores of a lotus-filled lake, Aman Spa offers personalized wellness programs, so you can balance your mind and body in a peerlessly serene scent of lotus blossoms. Apart from this lakeside spa and the private golden beach, Amanoi also has three dining venues with different settings with exquisite Vietnamese and international menus. Nothing can compare to sinking into the comfortable armchairs, tasting local dishes, and sipping a tropical cocktail while marveling at the dramatic coastline.
There are always good reasons to fall in love with the mountain in Vietnam where nature is abundant and people know how to appreciate small things in life. You know it the most when you are at Topas Ecolodge.
The resort lives up to the term Ecolodge in every sense of the word by constantly embedding sustainable and ecological practices into its property. Spreading over the summit of a mountain in the Hoang Lien National Park, Topas Ecolodge boasts a mesmerizing 180-degree view over the lower Sapa valley and the Tonkinese Alps beyond.
After arrival, a winding path will lead you to the 49 rustic chalet-style bungalows, which are made from locally sourced and sustainable materials, showing the lodge’s respect for nature. The glorious views of towering peaks and endless valleys dotted with ethnic minority villages from your bungalow are worth every penny, as is the undisturbed tranquility.
Topas Ecolodge will also spoil you with various exciting activities to explore the breathtaking nature of northern Vietnam as well as the fascinating culture of the minority villages nearby. And after some cultural immersion in textile workshops and local markets, get ready to savor the taste of Vietnam in the restaurants atop a remote mountain for an inspired dining experience.
Travel to Con Dao and you will understand why Vietnam beaches should be your next great escape. Located on the paradise archipelago Con Dao in the South of Vietnam, Six Senses Con Dao offers luxury, serenity, and a deep connection with the environment. This Six Senses Resort also feels part of the surrounding nature with a lot of wood and bamboo materials. Imitating a traditional Vietnamese fishing village, the resort welcomes its guests with its own replica high street and surrounding shop, bar, and traditional restaurant.
This intimate property offers 50 gorgeous villas, coming with their own private infinity pool and magnificent views of the snap-worthy islands against the dramatic backdrop of the Lo Voi Mountains.
Six Senses Con Dao offers a superb dining experience in the two restaurants: the “Vietnamese by the market”, where Vietnamese traditional dishes and street food can be found, and “By the Ocean”, which serves Asian fusion cuisine with a hint of French. Otherwise, if you want to dine in the comfort of your own private villa, a Chef will come and cook for you privately.
Tucked away inside the Son Tra Nature Reserve, surrounded by lush tropical palm trees, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula is definitely one of Vietnam’s best beach resorts with spectacular settings.
Designed by the world-famous designer Bill Bensley, this hideaway impresses its visitors with chic Modern Vietnamese style - a large white Maison with spindled wooden pillars and colorful silk chandeliers. Surround yourself with intimate comfort and privacy at one of the resort’s spacious accommodations with large balconies and panoramic sea views. But don’t be too surprised if you see some macaques which call this property home pay you a visit through the balcony.
Promising you an exceptional gourmet experience, in La Maison 1988, the Michelin-starred chef, Pierre Gagnaire, is on hand to prepare some exquisite French specialties for you. There is no better place to savor all the traditional dishes from North, Central, and South Vietnam in one day than the restaurant Citron with unique outdoor dining booths designed like an inverted nón-lá, the symbolic Vietnamese conical hat.
If you are seeking an exceptional experience more than just a “common” vacation on the beach, Banyan Tree Lang Co Resort must be the right address for you to escape the hustle and bustle. Nestled between the azure waters of the East Sea and the Truong Son mountain range, this luxury hideaway brings its guests an intimate and rustic atmosphere that can only be found in Hue, the former imperial city of Vietnam.
The impressive architecture was inspired by the artistic heritage of past Vietnamese dynasties and then finished with some modern touch. Depending on your taste, you can choose to stay in a palatial laguna, beachfront, or hillside one to three-bedroom villas, all offering a private enormous swimming pool for you to unwind.
After letting your senses be reawakened by the well-curated treatments in the spa rooms, let’s go explore the region’s ancient history, traditions, and unique cultural heritages in the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An Ancient Town, the Imperial Citadel of Hue, and My Son Sanctuary.
Azerai Can Tho is a unique luxury oasis of calm amid the fascinating cultural center of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. As the Azerai is built on a private 8-acre islet surrounded by waterways and mangroves, it can only be reached by boat from its private Arrival Pavilion in Can Tho, making the arrival more outstanding than any other resort on the list.
Following the natural shoreline and integrated into the island’s lush scenery, the resort’s 60 rooms designed with Vietnamese traditional materials offer enormous space to roam and peaceful views over rivers, lakes, or gardens.
Pamper yourself with the resort’s various facility choices such as restaurants, an infinity pool, a hair salon, a yoga and meditation studio, a tennis court, and a gymnasium, among others. For adventurous travelers, Azerai is an ideal base to discover the colorful city of Can Tho, the Mekong Delta as well as the authentic floating markets.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai’s inspiring location on Vietnam’s culturally rich central coast contributes significantly to its reputation as one of the finest hotels in Vietnam. This getaway is where you can feel the warm waves of the East Sea tickle your toes while raising your gaze to behold the impressive ambiance that somewhat reminds you of the royal grandeur of the nearby imperial city of Hue.
Upon arrival, the majestic staircases and enormous pools stretching towards the beach will do nothing but leave you in awe. Every inch of the resort, from the gray stone stairs, and pagoda-style roofs to the sharp contrast of lush palm trees and the blue sea, has turned the resort’s look into a feast for the eyes.
Besides relaxing in one of the 100 spacious villas, guests are also offered a wide range of exciting activities to explore the local culture such as rice field cycling, yoga, and beach taichi. In the Heart of the Earth Spa which is inspired by renowned Vietnamese Zen master, scholar, and peacemaker Thich Nhat Hanh, you can learn to stay calm, focus on your breath, and align yourself with nature's rhythms.
Situated on a tranquil yet stunning beachfront, TIA Wellness Resort is truly a luxury wellness oasis just a 10-minute drive from Danang Airport. The elegant private pool villas all come with a private swimming pool, promising ultimate privacy to reconnect with your inner self. All are open to courtyard gardens or ocean views.
Focusing on wellness, the Creative Energy spa with 22 treatment rooms, beauty salons, and saunas set within the lush, tropical gardens is the highlight of your stay here. Daily spa treatments, wellness practices,s and education such as Breathwork, Lifestyle Tai Chi, Active Yoga Flow, and Creative Workshop with Signature Tea are individually designed to help its guests return home refreshed and renewed.
The kitchen at TIA is also wellness-centered while offering nutritious dishes with real, natural ingredients as well as detox and regenerating meal plans. TIA offers all-day breakfasts that allow guests to have the freedom to enjoy the most important meal of the day at their leisure.