THE MOST AUTHENTIC VIETNAM

With privacy, spectacular mountain landscapes, and authentic tribal culture, Avana Retreat is a place to escape to nature and press reset. A place to find your natural self in a tranquil environment.

In this quiet area, when the sunlight suffuses the whole valley, the beauty of Avana starts to unfold like an exquisite painting. 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.

Avana Retreat is a 15-hectare resort in Vietnam’s Mai Chau Province, a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi, and has the characteristic of the highland climate that is quite similar to its neighbor Moc Chau. The comfortable weather makes the retreat beautiful all year round with plum blossom season, bauhinia blossom season, rice growing season, and harvesting season. It's beautiful even in the winter when the leaves have dropped and the trees are down to their bare bones.

Each luxurious thirty-six bungalow, suite, and villa was meticulously designed to ensure privacy and comfort. The roofs of the bungalow villas are thatched, like the local stilt houses and the walls are made of earth as is common with Hmong homes. The rattan ceilings are made using a Thai weaving technique. The warm wood interiors feature local arts and crafts, including hand-drawn beeswax paintings of intricate ethnic patterns.

The lantern-lined pathways and bridges that wind through the jungle of the property highlight the location, without tampering with it. The private waterfall, which inspired the development when discovered by the founders a decade ago, is the backdrop for private dinners and intimate parties with a terraced deck overlooking the cascade.

The resort’s open-air yoga studio pavilion juts over the stream. The property’s eight-treatmentroom Orchid Spa is built along the stream, which courses through the site, and immerses guests in nature through both the therapies on offer and the lush landscape that surrounds. Spa treatments look to the landscape with local healing herbs and oils used in therapies that range from facials and body wraps through to comprehensive pampering packages like the Wild Reconnection. This signature 3-3.5 hour transformative experience includes a body exfoliation using local products, a toning and firming wrap, a relaxing facial, and a signature body massage that uses firm pressure and the stimulation of acupressure points, as well as warm Vietnamese herbal packs.

The property features four heated infinity pools with views of the sunset or cloud ceiling. The aptly-called Cloud Pool Bar, is named after this phenomenon, where the fluffy cloud cover settles just below the property for an almost other-worldly view. At this dining destination guests can enjoy a tipple, light snacks or lunch with a menu featuring local specialties, like a banana flower salad, and western-style fare like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.

It’s rare to find a secret swimming hole that hasn’t already attracted a crowd. Rarer still is that secluded spot having all the creature comforts you may want, while still enjoying the solitude. Avana Retreat has one such place.

Carved by nature and masked by dense foliage, the Hidden Spring Lagoon is nature’s take on the private plunge pool. The rugged rim is 6 x 3.5 meters, and is filled with natural spring water fed by a small waterfall. The spring water here is crisp and refreshing. The new property, set amid the terraced rice fields and jungled mountainside, created this intimate space for guests to enjoy the natural wonder, while not negatively impacting the landscape.

The new Hidden Spring Lagoon space was recently launched and features two sunbeds, a changing room area, and towels are available post-dip. A small bar has been set up so guests can order drinks.

For those who prefer to enjoy the backdrop without getting wet, the property has launched private dining experiences. Guests have the choice of two menus, The Night Breeze or Lagoon Chill. Both are multi-course meals for a maximum of 12 guests. The fine dining menu consists of dishes like Japanese scallops and duck breast with mushroom truffle. The experience in the evening is a candle-lit affair and guests will have the lagoon to themselves.

Avana’s all-day dining restaurant, Green Chili, offers an impressive selection of dishes from pho and Australian Wagyu Beef to a line-up of vegetarian and vegan options. As much as possible the team uses local herbs, spices and vegetables. They source organic eggs from a chicken farm on property.

Avana Chicken Farm

Avana chicken farm's idea was formed in the first lockdown during the COVID pandemic in Vietnam: to supply organic eggs to employees in the city. From 150 chickens from the first days, the farm now has more than 300 chickens that provide Green Chili Restaurant with fresh produce that sources from high animal welfare standards.

An area of 1 hectare of the hilly land is used for the farm. There is a house where the chickens sleep at night. Peach trees have been planted to shade them from the midday sun. Twice a day, Giap goes to the farm. He cuts down the banana trees that are abundant in Avana, chops their stalks then mixes them with corn powder to feed the chickens. As banana trees are very popular in the Vietnamese countryside, people often use them in livestock farming. The banana stalk is rich in potassium and vitamin B6. It can also work as an antibiotic alternative that is good for poultry. Avana maintains high standards of living for the chickens that satisfy their natural behavioral needs. They can roam freely on the land for most of the day, forage, scratch the ground for food such as worms and insects, and bathe in the dust under the sun. This stimulating environment keeps the chickens healthy and happy so that they can produce healthy and happy eggs.

Avana's guests can go to the farm to collect the egg if they wake up early enough. Follow the small path from the back entrance of the stilt house museum to the swimming pool. You will see the chicken farm on your right. Look carefully as these hens are naughty. They won’t let you find their eggs easily. Sometimes, you will find an egg on a small hole that the hen digs on the ground, next to a low bush, on the chicken house's roof, or even on the palm tree. But it's worth finding. Organic eggs taste so good. Bring the egg to Green Chili Restaurant and ask the chef to make a hearty breakfast for you. Omelet with mushroom, cheese, ham, and peppers, scramble, or fry the egg: it's all about your choice.