I’m a photography enthusiast, and the landscapes in Northwest Vietnam seem incredible for capturing scenic views. Are there any specific spots that are particularly photogenic...
Unlike an ordinary resort, Avana Retreat is a different resort, aiming for sustainable tourism development. Mr. Vu Huy, CEO of Avana Retreat gives this place a lot of enthusiasm and passion for tourism to make that difference.
Nestled humbly between the Northwest mountains, from far away, Avana Retreat is like a village of local people. Here, there is no plastic, limited waste, the staff is local. Inside Avana Retreat, there are natural waterfalls and terraced fields, where there are images of Thai and H'Mong people living their daily lives.
As an explorer and adventurer, Mr. Vu Huy was passionate about discovering this place, where nature is full of freshness, people are gentle and culture permeates everywhere.
The 15-hectare Avana Resort is located on the hills of Panh hamlet, Bao La commune, Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province, surrounded by hills, terraced fields, valleys, Pung waterfall and natural streams. cool all year round.
At first, this land was located on a wild mountainside, almost uninhabited, surrounded by terraced fields, further away were villages of Thai, Mong, and Muong people. Previously, the way to Pung waterfall was extremely difficult, not everyone came to explore, because of the steep mountain road and many slippery rocks. Until now, the entrance to the waterfall is no longer dangerous stone moss, but instead is a wooden bridge built by the resort naturally winding.
With a romantic setting, Pung Waterfall is also an ideal dating place for couples or small intimate family parties. Under the shimmering lights mixed with natural music - the sound of Pung waterfall, well-prepared, eye-catching and delicious dishes will awaken the senses, creating a memorable aftertaste during the holiday and even when you return to your daily life.
Pursuing sustainable tourism, Avana Retreat keeps every single tree. Mr. Vu Huy also planted a lot more trees to green this place and work with the province about supporting people with tree varieties to continue greening the forest. The walls of the house are made of soil, warm in winter and cool in summer. Furniture is made of wood. Pure organic food, no pesticides or chemicals. The products here are also not packaged. Shampoo, shower gel or conditioner are all custom-made with organic ingredients and unique scents for Avana. "We try not to let nature carry any more burdens," said Mr. Vu Huy. The staff in Avana Retreat all support this.
It can be said that Avana Retreat is the intersection of 3 Thai - Mong - Muong cultures. Local people are an important factor for sustainable tourism development. In Avana Retreat, there are terraced fields for people to come and cultivate for free, crops they harvest and bring home, and there are houses for people to rest when coming here to work.
Not choosing places like Sa Pa, Ha Long or Phu Quoc to invest as many people are doing, Mr. Vu Huy said that he wants to put his heart into the land of Hoa Binh, so that every time tourists come here, they can see the primitiveness of nature and the exuberance of the ethnic people. Guests also do not have to pay to take photos with people. Instead, people actively invite guests into their homes to talk. “That is what we aim for. Everyone wants to make a profit in business, but it must be sustainable tourism development. Therefore, Avana Retreat is shaped as a resort close to nature, for the environment and for the people, without massively disrupting the landscape and traditional culture," Huy said.
According to Huy, Mai Chau is shaping tourism with homestays and mid-range hotels, but Avana is a high-class mountain resort. Therefore, to be able to both respect nature and ensure the pristine nature and still be a 5-star resort is not easy.
Avana Retreat has its own set of scents; there are 4 warm water infinity pools outlined in the shape of terraced fields; Spa area built along the stream, wherever you go, you can hear the stream flowing there. Next to the natural waterfall, the open space of the spa located in the middle of the primeval forest also brings peaceful moments for devotees of Zen tourism (meditation tourism, yoga).
It is no surprise to say that Orchid Spa is the most beautiful part of Avana Retreat. Orchid Spa is located separate from the rest of the resort, deep in the rainforest. This place is like another world of peace, of quiet streams, of shade and of melodious mountain sounds.
Going through the reception hall you will come to a wooden bridge hundreds of meters long, zigzagging the entire length of Orchid Spa. No matter how many times you step foot on this bridge, you will always find something new. Maybe it's a ray of sunlight skimming through the leaves, a stream flowing in silence, the smell of sweet, pristine forest land, or something small but brings a feeling of happiness to the soul. Here and there, a few birds clattering and chirping to their own music. The sounds of nature have a powerful effect on evoking happy memories, releasing stress, and healing hurt feelings.
Avana Retreat has 41 luxury villas, each villa has a different bronze painting about Mai Chau human culture, painted by the artist specifically for Avana.
All room types have a bathtub overlooking the peaceful and large natural space. Villas on stilts with thatched roofs made of palm leaves, rattan ceilings, dark orange-brown earthen walls, colorful brocade decorations...
Each villa is extremely private, with a balcony. roughly the size of a room, overlooking terraces, valleys or hills. All decorations in the room are carefully cared for, delicately selected to bring the highest possible satisfaction to tourists. Mr. Huy said that he only invested in 41 villas at present, but did not expand further to maintain harmony with nature, tranquility and privacy for the resort.
Coming to Avana Retreat, visitors can also visit Buoc village, a white Thai village located along a small stream, humbly showing off its charming beauty among the mountains.
Visit Mr. Nhieu's lovely homestay (welcoming guests since 1992); Listen to small stories about Thai traditional embroidery patterns, Pieu scarf, Ban flower festival, Thai girls' hair masks from washing rice water, the custom of poking the floor, about bamboo cooked rice, about the Bao La fair market…to understand more about the culture, history, and daily life of the simple and rustic mountain people in this area.
“I really hope that when guests return home, they will always remember Avana Retreat and I always look forward to welcome visitors who are like-minded, love nature, love culture and enjoy new experiences,” said Mr. Vu Huy.
