Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges opens in Vietnam's Phong Nha
Updated: Aug 31
The tented lodges boast sumptuous 300-thread-count bed linen and open-air bath tubs
The nature-inspired retreat tailors wellness and adventure experiences as part of an all-inclusive stay
The retreat is located on the Son River at the off-the-beaten track town of Phong Nha
Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges is surrounded by the peaks of Phong Nha National Park
And just like that, a new area of Vietnam opens up to holidaymakers looking for something of a ‘cushioned’ stay in one of the country’s more off-the-beaten-track destinations.
Phong Nha is a rural region in central Vietnam famous for its towering limestone mountains and world-renowned cave systems. The laid-back town of Phong Nha, a five-hour drive from Danang, is surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park featuring, at 400 million years, the oldest large-scale karst (limestone) system in Asia. The preserve of adventure-seeking travellers, the area now welcomes a more luxurious stay option with Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges, a ‘glamping’ style tented lodge retreat on the Son River.
Connected to nature but not unduly disturbed by it, the eco-wellness lodges feature 300-thread-count bed linen, open air bathtubs and even mini-bars. Perhaps not the destination for families with kids’ club-aged littlies, the retreat is an option for families of adventurous - and respectful - teens; note that this is a quiet, unplugged nature retreat rather than a traditional resort. The two-bed lodge configuration would suit a family group.
A tented lodge contains all mod cons and a comfortable bed
Nature-inspired wellness experiences include an enticing-sounding eco-wellness journey featuring healing clay, a forest shower and a clifftop cool plunge, as well as mini adventures with river boating and trekking.
Packages include full-board meals with a ‘harvest table’ of wild-foraged herbs, river fish and seasonal produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Origin Restaurant and ‘seasonal’ outings like picnics and community lunches.
The retreat can weave guest experiences centred around three signature pathways into an all-inclusive stay, including the Open Way for deeper rest and gentle reconnection, the Still Way for guided introspective wellness and deeper transformation, and the Wild Way for those looking for more dynamic wellness and off-the-beaten-path adventure. A rotating programme of visiting practitioners ensures an ever-changing wellness experience.
Reaching the retreat is an adventure in itself but Auko is on-hand with private transfer options. Take a domestic connecting flight to Dong Hoi Airport from where it is a one-hour drive, alternatively there’s a three-hour private transfer from Hue Airport. Or there’s a one-hour transfer option from Dong Hoi Railway Station (catch a train from Danang or Hanoi).
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