Embark on a nine-day trail running and wellness tour in northern Vietnam, immersing yourself in its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes
Begin in Hanoi, where historic temples and delectable street food await. Wander through the lively Old Quarter, filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of its bustling streets. Then journey to the breathtaking Mai Chau region, where terraced rice paddies and misty peaks paint the landscape. Stay at the Avana Retreat, nestled amidst traditional Hmong and Thai architecture, offering yoga, spa treatments and serene villas.
Enjoy private yoga sessions and unwind in infinity pools at Orchid Spa. Experience the magic of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise aboard the Paradise Grand luxury ship, exploring hidden caves, kayaking serene bays and sampling fresh seafood in fishing villages. The Northern Vietnam Trail Running + Wellness Retreat offers a tranquil space for reflection and mindfulness, allowing you to embrace the present moment without the pressure to perform.
Discover inspiration through cultural activities like farming and embroidery, and find joy in the simple act of running. Gain valuable tools to navigate life's pressures with grace and authenticity. Join us on this unforgettable journey to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit amidst the wonders of northern Vietnam.
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This retreat is rated Level II. This means it’s suitable for you if:
About the Trails
Our runs are on well-established dirt pathways and doubletrack roads with some moderate elevation gain. Most of the runs will be between 7 and 9 miles. We don't run every day; there are non-running days on the itinerary featuring other activities. The time on trail includes breaks to snack and drink water and take pictures.
This retreat can be the kind of vacation that truly transforms your state of mind and body, if you're open to it. Our retreats are designed to support you as a whole woman, not just a runner. That means you can expect free time to yourself, away from the group. It means that there are wellness experiences included in your retreat package to support your nervous system reset. This is your chance to heal from the effects of stress and focus on doing the things that energize you, inspire you and feed your soul.
Mindful Running is this retreat's defining experience. Your dedicated Retreat Leader will lead you through experiences on and off the trail that are designed to help you discover how to run with more ease and flow. And if you've never run trails before, you'll learn how to adapt your road running technique for this new terrain. And if you're an experienced trail runner, you'll take your running to a whole new level of efficiency and joy. Connect more deeply with nature, yourself and other women through this powerful practice that provides you with skills and insights to maximize the stress-reducing effects of running.
La Sinfonía del Rey is one of Hanoi's finest luxury boutique hotels. Inspired by the neoclassical architectural style from the 18th century, the hotel takes black, white, and dark blue as its signature colors that radiate a cozy and classy aesthetic. The ambiance also features traditional decorative details such as lacquer paintings by famous Vietnamese artists and high-class wooden ornaments. All decorative elements at the Hotel present a sophisticated blend of classic and contemporary, offering guests not only a comfortable but also aesthetically pleasing experience every time you visit the Capital.
Exceptional services come as standard, with thoughtful features designed to heighten your stay. Ambient rooms offer the space you need to relax and recharge, while smart lighting, state-of-the-art sound proofing, and a sophisticated air purification system promise uncompromised comfort. Step out from the hotel and Hanoi’s lively Hoan Kiem Lake unfolds right in front of your eyes, an ideal location for morning walks while the locals exercise or evening strolls when the lake lights up. Hoan Kiem Lake is Hanoi’s spiritual and geographical heart, with the Old Quarter, French Quarter, and many major attractions just a few minutes away on foot. It will serve as the perfect home base for our group's time in the bustling city of Hanoi.
The Avana Retreat is one of Mai Chau's premiere luxury escapes. This expansive property focuses on the connection between humans and nature. You'll spend four nights in a traditionally built villa with woven rattan ceilings and interior decor from local artists and craftsmen. Take a walk down to Avana's private waterfall and then pop over to its hidden spring lagoon for a refreshing dip. Upon arrival, make sure to peruse the offerings at the on-site Orchid Spa, and visit the Hmong Cottage for complimentary workshops on breathwork, meditation, and candle-making. Indulge in the freshest local ingredients (you can visit the chickens that lay your morning eggs!) when dining at Avana's on-site restaurant or end your day with a cocktail at the Cloud Pool Bar.
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Soak up the tranquil seascapes of Ha Long Bay aboard the Paradise Grand, featuring Michelin-star chef designed menus, an indulgent spa, and an expansive sundeck. There's no better way than this to explore some of the most beautiful bays in the world with hundreds of islands and islets, pristine beaches and limestone mountains towering above the emerald waters.
Vietnamese cuisine is a tantalizing fusion of flavors, textures, and aromas that will captivate your taste buds. From savory pho soups to fresh spring rolls, it's a delightful explosion of flavors that keeps you craving more. Pho, an iconic dish, features hearty rice noodles in a savory broth with beef or chicken, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts. The simmered broth, infused with spices like star anise and cinnamon, creates a rich soup for any time of day. Another must-try is banh mi, a delicious sandwich with a crispy baguette filled with meats, herbs, pickled vegetables, and a spicy chili sauce. Vietnamese cuisine also offers fresh and healthy spring rolls filled with vegetables, herbs, and proteins, served with a savory peanut sauce.
Vietnam 
Upon arriving at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, exit the baggage area where you will be welcomed by your Vietnamese guide and transferred directly to La Sinfonia del Rey Hotel & Spa, located in the heart of Hanoi's Old Quarter. You will have free time until 4:00 PM when you will meet your Retreat Leader and the rest of the group for the official retreat welcome meeting. Following our meeting, we will walk to a local restaurant for dinner. 
While the crowds are still sleeping, we will rise early to explore Hanoi's lakes, leafy parks, and tree-lined boulevards. We will begin our guided run at Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the city, where early-morning exercise enthusiasts gather for tai chi, Latin dancing, and laughing yoga.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart Hanoi for Mai Chau, a popular tourist destination to the east of Hanoi. Home to several ethnic minority groups, Mai Chau is the starting point for exploring the enchanting landscape of this region. Upon arriving in Mai Chau, you will begin your run to visit the nearby villages of Pom Coong, Lac, Na Phon, Na Thia, and Chieng Chau.
After breakfast at Avana, we'll get dressed and ready to run. Start running directly from the retreat, passing by Cun Pheo Village and its beautiful rice fields. After the first few miles, you will be rewarded by a stunning view of the famous Cun Pheo rice terraces.
At the Avana Retreat, you will have the opportunity to unwind by partaking in an array of spa treatments available on-site at the Orchid Spa. Throughout your four-day stay at Avana, you can choose from body exfoliations, detox packages, facials and massages to complete your wellness experience at this secluded and serene location. 
After breakfast at Avana, you'll drive a short distance to the trailhead in preparation for today's run. Today's run will take you through breathtaking and remote mountain scenery that very few people ever have the opportunity to see. You will run up through a bamboo forest, at the top of which you will get to see the local villagers’ fishponds and bamboo huts. 
Following breakfast, join your retreat leader and guides for a playful, hilly run on a combination of paved roads and narrow trails, that covers fewer miles than yesterday (and if your legs are still tired, we can hike the uphills) through spectacular rice terraces that have been carved into the mountain slopes continuously over the past 500 years, and still used today. Along the way you'll visit several small, minority villages for a deeper glimpse into their daily lives.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and soak in the views from your mountaintop villa for one last time. You will have plenty of free time this morning to enjoy the spa, partake in a restorative yoga session, or enjoy the infinity pools on the property. You can opt in for an optional hike from Avana, or simply rest and rejuvenate on your own time at the retreat. 
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Ninh Binh, one of Vietnam's most captivating locations, combining stunning natural surroundings with an engrossing history. Here you will see the remains of Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam under both the Dinh and Le dynasties established a thousand years ago.
No visit to Vietnam would be complete without an overnight aboard a traditional ship in Ha Long Bay. Featuring towering cliffs and emerald, green water, this UNESCO World Heritage site is also officially recognized as one of the seven world's wonders of nature. After breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi, you'll meet your Retreat Leader and driver and depart for Tuan Chau Island where you will board the Paradise Grand.
After morning Tai Chi on the deck, you'll make a final stop at the magnificent Dark and Bright cave. The cave acts as a passageway to a beautiful, tranquil lake surrounded by walls of stone in different scales and sizes.
