Starting out as a master of energy, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hien was determined to give up his office job to return to the forest, hoping to build a space with a high indigenous character. He and his team designed and created Mu Wilderness Lodge, a space that bears the mark and spirit of the local people. Located right in the center of Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong nature reserve, Mu Wilderness Lodge was designed and built in the middle of nature with the spirit of respecting and preserving nature to the maximum.
Mu Wilderness Lodge is located right next to Mu waterfall, in the center of Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong nature reserve.
Building accommodation in a nature reserve is certainly not simple. Sharing with Travellive, Mr. Manh Hien said: "First of all, we must strictly comply with the principles of the forest. Located in a remote area, the construction process is very difficult. For example, during the construction process, we only lacked a small nail, and had to travel dozens of kilometers to buy it. In return, we can build a space that relies on nature, but minimizes the impact on nature by making the most of locally available materials. It also creates job opportunities for people working in tourism."
Make the most of natural materials to create the closest space to nature.
SPECIAL FROM THE NAMES
Mu Wilderness Lodge just opened in August 2023, but was conceived and started construction 5 years ago. Mu consists of 5 rooms with very special names: Chu Dong, Cai Mui, Pong Thi, Pong Khim, Pong Buoi.
The name "Chu Dong" originates from the legend of the Muong people. This is a tree with copper fruit, tin leaves, and silver and gold branches: Not only a symbol of wealth but also a symbol of the spirit of solidarity to overcome nature. The Muong epic tells the story of the hero Tam Tach leading people to cut down Chu Dong trees to build houses and villages.
In the Muong language, Cai Mui means palm. This tree is indispensable in the life of the Muong people, with leaves used to thatch the roofs of traditional stilt houses, and tree trunks used to make household objects. The palm thorn pattern is also skillfully and meticulously recreated by the Muong people by weaving it onto costumes (skirt waistbands) as well as decorative brocades. The name "Cai Mui" was born from that idea.
Inside a room at Mu Wilderness Lodge.
Also closely associated with the life of the Muong people, the star apple tree has witnessed the ups and downs of the village over the years. The Muong people admire the star apple tree because it has gone through many changes, but every July, the star apple tree blooms with pure white flowers, then bears fragrant fruits, adding vitality to life. This is also the meaning of the name of the next room, "Pong Thi".
The name of the next room "Pong Kim" is inspired by the typical flower of summer, sim flower (khim). Around May and June, sim flowers bloom all over the hills, surrounding the Muong village with a very romantic color. Muong girls found sim flowers beautiful so they wove them into the waistband of their skirts to keep sim flowers with them all year round.
"Pong Buoi" also comes from a flower with pure white color and pure scent, which is the symbol of Muong girls. The grapefruit flower pattern is often woven or embroidered by women on the waistband of traditional skirts or by men and women as a pattern on the surface of the ferry.
DESIGN CONCEPT CONNECTED WITH NATURE
The stilt house is built according to the long-path concept, connecting the Kinh and Muong cultures, lying quietly under the shade of trees, in front of the famous national landscape of Mu waterfall. From the open space design to the interior, the materials used are minimalist, bringing people closer to nature.
Speaking more about this project, Mr. Tung Le - architect of Mu Wilderness Lodge said that the project has a highlight thanks to "bringing nature into the house". "The transparent roof in the middle of the house on the second floor covers the yard and part of the palm roof. The special thing about this area is that the sound of the stream is led straight to the roof of the house. People meditating in the yard can hear the sound of the waterfall flowing straight into their ears", Mr. Tung Le shared.
Mu Wilderness Lodge has areas for outdoor activities, yoga, meditation, and healing. Although the area has national grid electricity, to protect the environment, Mu uses part of the energy from the water turbine in the stream in front of the house.
Diners enjoy a meal at Mu.
There is also a kitchen area, serving meals with clean water combined with organic food self-sufficient right on Mu's premises, providing healthy meals.
