As Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia become increasingly city-focused, Garrya Mù Cang Chải offers an alternative way to mark Tet, centred on landscape, well-being and local custom.
Set among the rice terraces of Vietnam’s northern highlands, the retreat presents a programme shaped by daily rhythms rather than scheduled spectacle, inviting guests to begin the year at a slower pace.
Wellness experiences frame the transition into the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, guests are invited to join a candlelit sound meditation using tongue drums and singing bowls, accompanied by tea, marking a calm close to the year. The first morning of Tet begins with sunrise yoga, held outdoors to align movement and breath with the surrounding highland setting. Throughout the festive period, Tet Serenity Afternoon Tea is served, featuring regional teas and traditional sweets designed for unhurried breaks during the day.
Lunar New Year set menus focus on seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding area, drawing on dishes associated with reunion and renewal. During the day, the Taste of the Highlands street food market takes inspiration from local chợ phiên, or traditional markets, offering regional snacks and handmade items in an informal setting. Guests may also take part in Tet cooking sessions and healthy mixology classes, exploring local recipes and beverages prepared using customary methods.
Cultural exchange with the local Hmong community forms the core of the Tet experience. Rather than performances staged for visitors, guests are encouraged to observe and, where appropriate, take part in daily preparations such as bánh dày pounding and household year-end customs. Visits to nearby villages provide insight into community rituals and spring gatherings. From the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, guests may also witness highland games and wedding celebrations that mark the arrival of spring.
For more information, visit Garrya Mù Cang Chải.
