Come to Suoi Rao Ecolodge - a "tropical forest" of 500 types of herbs.
24/01/2022
Suoi Rao Ecolodge – a “miniature tropical forest” with 500 types of herbs – is a space for those who want to “escape” the bustling city and find nature to heal their mind and body. Join Travellive in exploring this new resort in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.
After enduring the stifling days of the pandemic and the oppressive atmosphere of the city, many people long to return to nature, waking up in a house fragrant with the scent of wood, with greenery pouring into their eyes just by looking out the window. These things, seemingly luxuries in the bustling city, are easily found at Suoi Rao Ecolodge – a resort located just 100 km from Ho Chi Minh City.
Located in Chau Duc District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, Suoi Rao Ecolodge has become a "second home" for many visitors from neighboring provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai. They come here to cleanse their minds and bodies, and heal the "emotional scars" left by Covid-19. Some come to Suoi Rao to spend quality time with their families, or simply to find moments of tranquility amidst the lush greenery, slow down, and connect with their inner world.
Ten years to awaken the "sleeping mountain girl".
On the way to Suoi Rao, visitors will travel along roads flanked by rolling hills interspersed with flat rice paddies to reach the tranquil Ecolodge nestled under the forest canopy. Passing through this vibrant green landscape, few would imagine that just 10 years ago, beneath their feet lay a barren wasteland planted with coffee and rubber trees, where locals toiled under the sun and rain to produce crops.
Its geographical location and natural landscape, with access to the sea, forests, lakes, and mountains, are a strength of Suoi Rao, making it suitable for a resort destination combining relaxation and unique experiences.
Suoi Rao Ecolodge is the culmination of a decade-long passion project by Nga Le, a landscape designer. She recalls: “Ten years ago, Suoi Rao was like a sleeping mountain girl. But I soon saw the immense appeal of this area to tourists, because of its hilly terrain, surrounded by forest on three sides, and the winding stream originating from So Mountain, flowing straight to the fertile Suoi Rao downstream lake.” The idea of developing an eco-village was born from that.
Constantly concerned about ecological imbalance caused by climate change, she aspired to create a community that lives and works happily, respecting and promoting natural values, for the goal of sustainable health and environment, developing a gardening culture and the unique characteristics of the place.
Suoi Rao Ecolodge is home to 500 types of trees, herbs, and other plants that thrive and grow.
The journey to awaken the "sleeping mountain girl" was fraught with difficulties. Ms. Nga sought out architects, botanists, and those passionate about creating wild, natural landscapes to help shape the product. Over the past period, Ms. Nga and her colleagues have studied the soil and climate to bring many fragrant flowers and exotic plants to take root in Suoi Rao. Despite the pandemic raging over the past two years, Suoi Rao Ecolodge was completed in 2021 and opened to guests in 2022.
Spanning 5 hectares, Suoi Rao Ecolodge dedicates over 95% of its land to greenery, where 500 types of herbs, flowers, forest trees, precious timber trees, ornamental plants, fruit trees, valuable medicinal plants, and wild vegetables thrive and flourish.
Here, flowers bloom all year round, the lotus pond teems with fish, and the temperature always stays below 25 degrees Celsius because it is surrounded by a protective forest. “If Da Lat has Tuyen Lam Lake with its romantic rows of towering green pine trees, then Suoi Rao Ecolodge also possesses a similar landscape. Visitors don't need to travel too far to enjoy the airy, cool atmosphere year-round, just like the city of a thousand flowers,” Ms. Nga said about the idea of transforming Suoi Rao Ecolodge into a miniature Da Lat.
Moreover, Suoi Rao Ecolodge brings the spring scenery of Japan and Korea to Vietnam with its Burmese cherry blossom forest, which blooms profusely from April to May.
The creators of this resort were always concerned with creating a landscape with unforced natural beauty, giving visitors the feeling of walking in a real forest, temporarily forgetting that it was not a place where human hands had arranged things.
A wellness tourism space FOR healing.
In the context of the pandemic, wellness tourism has risen to prominence, meeting the needs of many people seeking to recharge their energy and balance their physical and mental health. Suoi Rao Ecolodge is no exception to this trend. The therapeutic effects of wellness are present in every branch, blade of grass, every step, every breath, every meal, and every moment of sleep for our guests.
It's easy to notice the fragrant aroma filling the air while walking under the forest canopy. The scent emanating from Caribbean pine, fir, juniper, and camphor is a natural pantothenic essential oil, capable of absorbing heavy metal ions and purifying the air. This essential oil is a natural remedy; when inhaled, it helps boost immunity, improve blood pressure and cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and promote restful sleep.
Meditation garden at Suoi Rao Ecolodge.
In this atmosphere, visitors can go hiking, cycling through the forest, practice yoga and meditation – activities proven to significantly improve physical and mental health; or find quiet moments to read, chat, and enjoy tea.
After a leisurely stroll, guests can enjoy "green" meals prepared by the host using vegetables and medicinal plants grown right on the property, as well as fresh, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables.
The houses at Suoi Rao Ecolodge are made entirely from natural, environmentally friendly materials, with a simple yet fully equipped style. The low building density of 1-2% and the limit on the number of guests help Suoi Rao Ecolodge maintain the standards of an international ecolodge.
The bungalows are designed in the traditional style of Southern Vietnam, constructed from salvaged materials from old houses throughout the South or newly built in a unique traditional architectural style. The spacious and cool bungalows feature a living room, one queen-size bed or two single beds, but this can be adjusted to accommodate more guests. Suoi Rao Ecolodge accommodates a maximum of 40 guests to ensure privacy and tranquility.
The houses at Suoi Rao Ecolodge are made from environmentally friendly materials.
At Suoi Rao Ecolodge, guests are immersed in a distinctly Vietnamese atmosphere, filled with the melodious sounds of traditional Vietnamese stringed instruments like the tơ rưng, đàn đá, and đàn tranh, all set against the tranquil backdrop of the forest. Additionally, Suoi Rao Ecolodge offers a tea-drinking experience with nearly 100 varieties of tea, allowing guests to relax, cleanse their bodies, and share intimate conversations with close friends amidst the natural beauty of the mountains and forests.
"I consider the 'happiness' of my customers as my own joy."
As someone who worked closely with Ms. Nga in shaping Suoi Rao Ecolodge, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, an architect, shared: “With her passion for her profession, Ms. Nga has created a garden with diverse plant species, enhanced the lake and surrounding landscape, built bungalows in a traditional architectural style, and personally tended to the garden and prepared healthy meals for guests. Her hospitality, thoughtfulness, and innovative ideas, along with the ecological garden space and Vietnamese cultural elements in the resort's landscape architecture, have brought satisfaction to guests at Suoi Rao Ecolodge.”
Ms. Nga Le (third from the left) poses for a photo with tourists.
Born amidst the severe impact of Covid-19 on the tourism and service industry, Ms. Nga shared: “I always consider the joy of my guests as my own happiness. Suoi Rao Ecolodge is a place where nature is respected, preserved, and developed in a way that promotes biodiversity, offering a unique resort experience for tourists. That helped me overcome the initial difficulties.”
In the future, Ms. Nga hopes to enrich the collection of plants and herbs here, aiming for 1,000 species to thrive within the grounds. She said that Ecolodge is a component of a global environmental project. Currently, there are 6 Ecolodge models in Vietnam, which are isolated ecological areas with natural landscapes and terrains such as hills, fields, and forests.
"The Ecolodge model is favored by foreign tourists because of its connection with nature, tranquility, and eco-friendliness. This place will welcome groups of foreign tourists for relaxation once the pandemic is over, when Vietnam opens its doors to international tourists," the female owner of Suoi Rao Ecolodge said about her plans for the near future.
Additional information
Suoi Rao Ecolodge currently offers the following types of accommodation:
- Bamboo House is situated near a stream and covered by tall, straight green bamboo groves. Harmonizing with the landscape is the house, which features the ancient Hoi An architectural style with polished brown wooden columns, giving it both an elegant and antique feel. It has an area of 80 m².2Comprising two double beds and a beautiful loft area accommodating up to 6 people, a refrigerator, and a 3.5m long wooden tea table, it's a perfect space for friends or family to gather. Connected to the central space is a charming Japanese garden and a central pond (1,000 m²).2) includes recreational fishing rods and basic amenities.
- Joyful House has an area of 63 m².2Located 50 meters from the other units, it's quiet, overlooking the forest and garden. Glass doors open onto the garden in all four directions, including a meditation garden. If you love yoga or meditation, this is a wonderful space of over 500 square meters.2A wooden house in the Central Vietnamese style with two toilets and two beds, accommodating 3-4 people.
- Ginseng House: Area larger than 72 m²2It can accommodate 5-6 people and overlooks a pine forest. In the morning, you can breathe in the fresh air of the pine forest, and there's a spacious playground for singing and dancing, a large refrigerator, a tea table, and all the necessary amenities.
- Stilt house: Area 32 m²2The house features a stylized stilt house architecture with a view through a large window overlooking the distant forest. The stilt house is compact and suitable for couples or families with one child under 10 years old.
Contact:
Suoi Rao Ecolodge
Xuan Son - Da Bac, Village 2, Chau Duc District, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province
VI
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