A new lodge has opened in the mountains of Ha Giang, now part of Tuyen Quang Province, offering a different perspective on how tourism can develop in northern Vietnam.
Ha Giang Aya Lodge, developed by the Vietnam-based travel company Local Vietnam, officially opened in early 2026 along the well-known Ha Giang Loop. Rather than being located in a busy town or tourist area, the lodge sits within the Hmong village of Sung Trai, where daily life continues much as it has for generations.
The idea behind the project is simple: create a place that fits into its surroundings, instead of reshaping them for tourism.
Local Vietnam is run by Nhung Phung, Duong Phung, and Dutch co-founder Marnick Schoonderwoerd, who together have spent years working and traveling throughout northern Vietnam. Over more than a decade in the country, Schoonderwoerd has written hundreds of detailed travel guides, many of them focused on regions like Ha Giang that remain less developed than other destinations.
“Ha Giang has always stood out because of its landscapes and strong local culture,” Schoonderwoerd says. “As tourism grows, the challenge is to develop it in a way that keeps those qualities intact.”
Staying in a real village setting
Ha Giang Aya Lodge is not built as a separate tourism space. Instead, it is part of an existing village, where guests stay alongside local residents rather than apart from them.
Life in Sung Trai continues independently of tourism, from farming activities to the weekly market nearby, where different ethnic groups from the surrounding mountains gather. For visitors, this creates a more natural experience of the region—one that reflects everyday life rather than a staged version of it.
Creating opportunities for local communities
The lodge also focuses on involving people from the surrounding area. Many staff members come from Sung Trai and nearby villages, and receive training on site, including English lessons and hospitality skills.
For some, this is their first experience working in tourism, providing new opportunities while allowing them to remain in their home region.
In addition, the management team supports small community initiatives, including English teaching at a nearby school and local improvement projects.
“We want tourism to benefit the people who live here,” says Nhung Phung. “That only works if the community is directly involved.”
Comfort adapted to the Ha Giang Loop
While the setting remains local and authentic, the lodge was designed to offer a level of comfort that is not always easy to find along the Ha Giang Loop.
Rooms are equipped for both colder and warmer seasons, with heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. Large windows and open terraces provide views of the surrounding limestone mountains, which change throughout the day with shifting light and cloud patterns.
The architecture, designed by Vietnamese architect Tung Le, uses natural materials and traditional influences, allowing the lodge to blend into the landscape rather than stand out from it.
Extending Local Vietnam’s approach
Local Vietnam has built its reputation on detailed travel information and customized journeys across Vietnam, with a focus on experiences that go beyond standard tourism routes.
Ha Giang Aya Lodge reflects that same approach in a physical setting—bringing together local culture, community involvement, and practical comfort in one place.
As tourism continues to develop along the Ha Giang Loop, projects like this offer an alternative model—one where growth remains connected to local life and long-standing traditions.
