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A resort "straight out of legend"
In the early 2000s, after traveling extensively throughout Vietnam, the passionate French-Vietnamese couple (Michel Galey and Lan Phuong - the two founders of Panhou Retreat) visited Hoang Su Phi and settled in Thong Nguyen. They immediately fell in love with the scenery and climate, along with the unique local ethnic culture.
The spirit of Panhou Retreat is evident right from the resort's name.
The name Panhou itself is linked to the legend of Ban Vuong, the revered ancestor of the twelve branches of the Dao people. Known not only for his simple lifestyle and close connection with nature, he also laid the foundation for the peaceful and prosperous development of the people here. The spirit of this king serves as a guiding principle for all of Panhou Retreat's policies and activities: always cherishing and honoring culture, protecting nature, and contributing to local development alongside the ethnic community.
Panhou Inspiration
More than just an ordinary resort, Panhou Retreat carries a noble mission: to promote sustainable tourism and create positive values for the local environment, culture, and economy.
Each thatched-roof bungalow is nestled amidst the vast forest.
Panhou Retreat is described by visitors as a pristine, lush green gem nestled amidst the Hoàng Su Phì mountains. Following the natural terrain, the bungalows appear rustic, resembling the traditional homes of the local people. Arranged according to the "mountains meeting water" principle of Thông Nguyên, the French owner believes that living in this space makes one feel protected, healthy, and mentally sharp.
The unique culture of the Dao people is also skillfully incorporated into the interior design. From the guest rooms to the Khu Cao restaurant and Tai Deo Bar, the warm tones of natural wood and neutral light yellow strongly reflect the Indochine style, accented with red and decorative motifs characteristic of the Dao people. Through years of collecting, Panhou has also built a museum showcasing ethnic costumes, honoring the cultural and historical beauty of the ethnic groups in Hoang Su Phi. This is a meaningful spiritual gift that the "host" wants to give to visiting guests.
The guest rooms are designed with the distinctive style of the local ethnic communities in mind.
Furthermore, the area is virtually plastic-free, with waste reduction and the use of environmentally friendly materials always being top priorities. We respect nature by committing to policies on Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Waste Management.
Panhou Retreat's commitment to sustainable values is further demonstrated through its gender-equal employment policy and tourism activities that benefit the local community. 95% of the resort's staff are locals from nearby villages, receiving professional training in tourism, language skills, and cultural education.
Panhou Retreat always focuses on celebrating the beauty of local culture.
The human element at Panhou Retreat not only contributes to the socio-economic development of the local area but also helps preserve the unique cultural characteristics of the ethnic groups. Visitors will receive a warm welcome from these "hosts," and learn more about the proud traditions of the ethnic communities through activities such as gathering medicinal herbs, visiting local markets, or experiencing daily life with the locals.
The philosophy of "Respect for Nature - Love for Humanity": respecting nature and focusing on people has become the mission of Panhou Retreat and has been consistently adhered to for the past 20 years. Thanks to these core values of sustainable tourism, Panhou Retreat has become an ideal destination for travelers interested in healing and wellness tourism. With relaxing services such as soaking in a traditional Dao herbal bath with ingredients harvested directly from the Panhou garden, relaxing with traditional therapeutic massage, enjoying the famous Shan Tuyet tea from the Hoang Su Phi tea region, or practicing yoga by the stream, you will have the opportunity to pamper yourself and nourish your body, mind, and spirit after months of stressful work.
Panhou Retreat has become an ideal destination for travelers interested in therapeutic wellness tourism.
In addition, Panhou Retreat offers experiential classes such as gardening and cooking local and traditional Vietnamese dishes using organic, healthy ingredients carefully sourced daily by Panhou's family. For adventurous souls eager to explore regional culture, trekking tours to visit villages and admire terraced rice fields will surely provide many exciting and unforgettable experiences.
Workshops help visitors immerse themselves in the natural and cultural environment.
