Banyan Group has opened Garrya Mu Cang Chai, a landmark wellness retreat set within a protected national heritage landscape in Northern Vietnam. Located at 1,500 metres above sea level in the highlands of Lao Cai Province, the resort marks Banyan Group’s first Garrya property in Vietnam and is recognised as the world’s largest bamboo-structured wellness resort.
Spanning 6.5 hectares of terraced mountainside, Garrya Mu Cang Chai has also been named World’s Best New Wellness Retreat 2025, offering travellers a rare opportunity to experience Northern Vietnam in its most authentic form surrounded by pristine nature and free from commercial development. The resort sits within a region home to original Hmong communities, whose traditions have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Bamboo is central to the resort’s architectural identity, drawing inspiration from Vietnam’s traditional bamboo craftsmanship and the flowing contours of Mu Cang Chai’s iconic rice terraces. Subtle Hmong brocade-inspired motifs are woven throughout public spaces and dining venues, creating a seamless connection between contemporary design, cultural heritage, and the surrounding landscape.
Designed as a sanctuary for holistic wellbeing, the resort features 110 rooms, suites, and villas, all positioned to maximise sweeping views of the Northwestern mountains and terraced fields. At the heart of the property is the 8ELEMENTS Spa, where Banyan Group’s 8 Pillars of Wellbeing guide a restorative journey combining Asian healing traditions, local herbal therapies, and a state-of-the-art 13-step hydrotherapy circuit—the most advanced in Northern Vietnam. Additional wellness offerings include the ReCharge Gym with panoramic views, movement classes, singing-bowl sessions, and barefoot grounding experiences.
Dining is rooted in wellness and locality. Refresh offers seasonal menus created with ingredients grown using traditional Hmong farming methods, while Charcoal Grill showcases open-fire cooking inspired by mountain life. A poolside bar provides lighter fare alongside expansive highland views.
Located off the beaten path in Lao Cai and approximately three hours by scenic mountain road from Sapa, Garrya Mu Cang Chai delivers a quieter, more immersive alternative to Northern Vietnam’s busier destinations. Guests can explore the surrounding highlands through guided treks, hands-on craft workshops, and storytelling sessions with local Hmong artisans and elders, gaining insight into a culture preserved across generations.
Surrounded by protected heritage terrain and far removed from commercial crowds, Garrya Mu Cang Chai offers a rare blend of deep cultural connection, architectural innovation, and transformative wellness in one of Vietnam’s most untouched landscapes.