Tam Coc Garden Resort

Retreat to Tam Coc Garden Resort, a true secret garden of a resort hidden away behind leafy palms and walls of trees deep within northern Vietnam’s lush Ninh Binh province. Styled after the traditional Tonkinese villages of the region, surrounded by rice paddies, and overshadowed by limestone peaks, this boutique property immerses you in the nature and culture of the Red River Delta. 

Inspired by local architecture, red-tile roofed bungalows peek out of the thick greenery enveloping the property. Between the literal green screens of plant life and the fact that the property only has 16 rooms, you may feel like you’re the only one staying there. Wake up to calming valley views from some bungalows, while others offer the privacy and seclusion of the deeper forest. Modern elements like soaking tubs, outdoor pools, and elegant hardwood furniture mix with natural, organic elements like rustic stone walls and cool tile floors. 

Just like the villages that the resort is modeled after, Tam Coc’s gardens are more than just for show. Nurtured by staff and tended to by a herd of goats, organic produce is grown on-site. Find plucked-from-the-earth ingredients artfully plated on mouthwatering dishes churned out by the restaurant. Garden-grown herbs are also incorporated into restorative spa treatments.  

Looking out across the fields beyond, Tam Coc Garden Resort’s outdoor swimming pool is one of the best spots to admire the hulking mountains overhead. When you’re moved to venture outside this overgrown Eden, set off on bikes to pedal tranquil roads or lower yourself into a traditional sampan boat for a floating picnic as you float the waterways of Vietnam’s “Ha Long Bay on Land.”