Creative Retreat Village merges leisure with cultural heritage in Son Tay
A serene hideaway in Son Tay is redefining leisure with culture, tradition and modern comfort.
THE HANOI TIMES — Creative Retreat Village (Khu Trai Sang Tac), located inside the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Hanoi's Doai Phuong Commune, offers a rare mix of modern comfort and traditional identity.
From a young age, many Vietnamese grow up listening to stories about the country’s 54 ethnic groups and their diverse customs.
Today, guests at the Creative Retreat Village can live inside those stories, waking up to stilt houses, walking along stone paths, and joining in cultural exchanges that echo ancestral values.
“Every time I come here, I discover something new to do,” said Phi Hung, a young influencer.
From joining craft workshops to swimming in the pool or just walking through the stilt houses, the experience never feels the same. It makes me want to return again and again.”
The design of the Creative Retreat Village preserves local cultural identity while meeting modern hospitality standards to welcome visitors at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. Photos: Lao Dong Newspaper
The retreat covers several hectares inside the cultural village, designed with open architecture that connects directly to ethnic hamlets.
Villas and guest rooms are furnished to three-star standards with air-conditioners, private bathrooms and spacious balconies.
The infinity pool surrounded by greenery offers a refreshing space for guests to unwind after a day of exploration. Group and creative camp packages are available from just US$15 per person. Visitors often describe the retreat as more than accommodation.
International visitors have also been drawn to the site. Many describe the retreat as offering both comfort and cultural depth, a rare mix in the region.
The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism has even recorded periods of welcoming more than half a million visitors, showing its strong appeal to both domestic and foreign guests.
The infinity pool area at the Creative Retreat Village offers a refreshing and serene atmosphere.
Activities are abundant. Guests can join traditional craft workshops, enjoy ethnic cuisine at communal houses, or walk to the nearby Tay Nguyen stilt houses where gongs echo in the evening.
Families often choose the retreat for its safe environment, large outdoor spaces, and cultural lessons for children. For locals, the retreat has quickly become a weekend option.
“My family first came here in 2018, and since then we have returned every year,” said Hong Chiem from the central province of Thanh Hoa.
“Each generation finds something they enjoy. The kids love the open lawns, my parents are drawn to the cultural shows, and I find peace just walking around the stilt houses. It has become our family’s little tradition,” said Chien.
The setting also inspires teamwork. Companies book the retreat for team-building programs, evening campfires, and cultural nights.
Large lawns and open courtyards make it suitable for up to 200 people. Corporate packages start from $590, including meals and cultural performances.
Visitors experience brocade weaving at the Ede ethnic village. Photos: Lao Dong Newspaper
International travelers consider the retreat a rare combination of ecology and culture.
Seasonal events bring the village to life. During Tet (Lunar New Year), visitors can see traditional markets and the ritual of raising the New Year bamboo pole.
In mid-autumn, children can join lantern-making and lion dance workshops. Summer months are popular for youth camps and writing retreats, while autumn brings a cooler climate ideal for photography.
And for groups that want more than just outdoor campfires or cultural nights, the village also offers dedicated spaces for events and celebrations.
The service complex at Village IV comes with a main hall and a row of curved houses, giving plenty of room for up to 250 people. It’s the kind of place where meetings can easily turn into mini galas.
Then there is a scenic pavilion named Lau Vong Canh, a favorite spot for reunions and school gatherings.
Sitting quietly behind the Cham towers and right next to the calm waters of Dong Mo Lake, it feels private yet still connected to nature.
With space for about 200 guests and a wide-open view of the Dong Mo International Golf Course, the pavilion has become a go-to choice for groups wanting something different. Quiet, green, and relaxed, it makes work feel a little less like work.
The retreat is accessible via Highway 32, about 40 kilometers from downtown Hanoi. Travel time by car is roughly one hour. Public buses also connect to the cultural village, making it convenient for both domestic and foreign guests.
Contact can be made via 0246 2929 777 or through the official website langvanhoavietnam.vn.
With its blend of traditional architecture, cultural depth, and modern service, the Creative Retreat Village offers something rare: a place where leisure is not separated from heritage.
As the sun sets over the tiled roofs and bamboo groves, guests realize they are not simply staying overnight, but living inside Vietnam’s cultural heartbeat.
