A sustainable luxury resort in Mai Chau opens amidst an unspoiled landscape

In the ever-growing sustainable tourism market, eco-conscious travelers seek more than just luxury—they yearn for distinctive experiences that respect and preserve nature and local cultures. This is the ethos of Avana Retreat, a luxury resort situated amidst the untouched waterfall, rice fields, and jungled mountainsides of Vietnam’s Mai Chau.

At the heart of Vietnam’s Mai Chau Valley, Avana Retreat welcomes travelers looking for an authentic and unspoiled experience.

The resort’s 36 expansive villas blend seamlessly with the terraced rice fields, offering uninterrupted views of the mountains and valleys.

And if that wasn’t enough, the resort also features a spa built over a stream and offers one of the most majestic dining experiences in Southeast Asia.

But it’s the centerpiece of the resort—a stunning waterfall that cascades down into a natural swimming hole—that is truly breathtaking.

Mai Chau: A hidden eco-tourism gem

Just a four-hour drive from Hanoi, Mai Chau Valley deserves to be on every green traveler’s map. The valley unites wild, virgin landscapes and serene rice terraces in a tableau of natural beauty.

Mai Chau is also a cultural treasure, home to ethnic minority groups that uphold their traditional lifestyles. Visiting the hill tribe villages offers an opportunity to learn about local cultures and traditions, fostering respect for these communities.

Your sustainable mountain escape in Mai Chau

In the midst of this natural and cultural wealth, Avana Retreat has carved out a 15-hectare space that respects the environment while providing a luxurious escape from urban life.

The architecture of this eco-resort draws inspiration from local Hmong and Thai building techniques, respecting traditional aesthetics while minimizing the environmental footprint.

The villas, ranging from 98 to 229 square meters, are constructed with earth walls and thatched roofs, as in traditional Hmong homes, and feature rattan ceilings woven in a Thai style.

Locally crafted arts adorn the interiors, demonstrating the resort’s commitment to supporting local artisans.

One villa is situated on top of a terrace of rice fields, with three boasting private pools. The most luxurious, exclusive option features an 89-square-meter private heated pool that climbs in tiers like a visual echo of the rice terraces.

Appreciate the resort’s harmony with nature as you wander along lantern-lit paths and bridges, enjoying the lush surroundings without impacting them.

“It’s one thing to build a resort near the wonders of nature, but to build in the midst of all this natural splendor, with a footprint as light and retractable as ours, makes for an immersive experience that can be overwhelming,” said Mr. Vu Huy, founder of Avana Retreat.

Unwind in Avana’s eco-friendly oasis

The Avana Retreat offers guests more than just eco-friendly accommodation; it provides a distinctive wellness experience that stands out in Vietnam.

Immerse yourself in nature by attending yoga classes at the open-air studio pavilion, which juts over the stream, or book a treatment at Orchid Spa.

Situated along the stream that courses through the property, Orchid Spa offers eight therapy rooms where you can relax and rejuvenate surrounded by lush greenery, with treatments that draw from traditional Vietnamese practices.

Orchid Spa’s therapies are designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing local, natural herbs and oils that support the local economy and limit environmental impact.

Their signature package, Wild Reconnection, offers a transformative experience, including a body exfoliation with local products, a toning and firming wrap, a relaxing facial, and a tension-relieving body massage—all in keeping with Avana’s commitment to sustainability.

Indulge in dining experience inspired by nature

The Avana Retreat’s waterfall dining experience takes the concept of farm-to-table dining to new heights, quite literally.

The Green Chili Restaurant, perched beside a stunning waterfall, offers a terraced deck from which diners can savor the sight and sound of cascading waters.

Green Chilli’s menu celebrates local and fusion cuisine, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients. At this all-day dining restaurant, you can savor a delicious array of dishes, from pho (noodle soup) and Australian Wagyu Beef to vegetarian and vegan fare.

The team tries to use local herbs, spices, and veggies as possible. They source organic eggs from the property’s chicken farm.

This luxury resort in Mai Chau features a three-level infinity pool with views of the sunset or cloud ceiling. The aptly named Cloud Pool Bar is named after this phenomenon, where fluffy cloud cover settles just below the property for an almost other-worldly view.

At this charming bar restaurant, you can enjoy a tipple, light snacks, or lunch with a menu featuring local specialties such as banana flower salad and western-style fares like pizza, pasta, and burgers.

Leveraging what’s local is a priority across the board. More than 90% of the staff are from the surrounding area. 

“We want as much of the experience of accommodation here to be as singular to this part of Mai Chau as possible, from the sights you see to the food you eat, to the people you meet,” said Huy. 

Mountain adventures and activities at Avana Retreat

Whether you’re looking to explore a new culture or simply relax in nature, there are plenty of opportunities for unforgettable adventures and unique experiences at Avana.

Start your day with yoga at the Yoga House (morning yoga is available from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.), then spend the rest of the morning at the library (open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) in the Orchid Spa.

You can also go fishing at the Fish Pond (from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You can also visit the Stilt House Museum, a 1970 traditional Thai stilt house that has been converted into a museum and features items collected from three ethnic groups living in the area.

The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and every afternoon (from 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.), a local guide will take you through the museum’s collections and introduce you to the beliefs, rituals, and everyday life of the three groups living in the vicinity.

You can also swim in the infinity pool or take a dip in the fresh natural spring water at the Hidden Spring Lagoon.

Or take a walk along one of the many nature trails that wind through the property.

Or embark on a trek through the rice terraces and villages with a local guide.

If you are looking for more adrenaline-pumping activities, go for a jeep adventure or explore the beauty of Ba Khan Lake on a kayak.

End your day at the outdoor cinema on the grass field (available from 10:00 p.m.) or with a bonfire and stargazing every Sunday evening during winter. You can also catch the live performance at the Green Chili Restaurant every Saturday at 10:00 p.m. And these are not the typical performances you see in restaurants; the restaurant presents local dances.

Avana Resort also organizes Thai weaving demonstrations every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, as well as rattan basket weaving every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Both activities start at 1:30 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.

And if you are traveling with kids, Avana Resort has a Kid Club where kids from three to twelve years old may participate in a number of supervised activities. In Postcard Painting, children can play with colors, and in Clay Art, they can develop their creativity by sculpting with clay. Children will learn to recycle in Toilet Roll Craft, and then they can have fun in the Treasure Hunt Game that is designed especially for the resort’s little guests.

A luxury resort with a green conscience

To stay in harmony with the area, Avana is a plastic-free sanctuary. There are no plastic water bottles or single-use plastics to be found on the resort grounds. The property has its own Avana bottle plant to produce clean drinking water.

The resort uses corn starch trash bags, composts organic waste, and employs electric buggies for resort transportation.

Avana’s further commitment to the area’s biodiversity is evident in its tree-planting program, which continuously enriches the local ecosystem. 

For more information about this eco-luxury mountain resort in Mai Chau and to check for updates on the schedule of activities, visit Avana Retreat.