Helly Tong – known as an “Environmental Ambassador” for her healthy lifestyle, love of nature, and a series of business and artistic projects focused on sustainable values ​​– recently visited Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, one of Vietnam's leading beach resorts that places sustainable development as a core value for its brand and operating model. Helly Tong participated in many meaningful environmental protection activities and contributed to Six Senses' global 'Say No to Plastic' campaign.

Since the 1990s, bottled water in glass containers has been a signature feature throughout Six Senses resorts. From its early years, the Six Senses brand has been committed to reducing plastic use and building a "plastic-free" journey. After 18 years of operation, continuing its support for the global Plastic Free campaign, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay marks a significant milestone with the official launch of Ninh Van Greens – the first solar-powered farm complex built within the resort. This initiative aims to create a sustainable renewable energy source for the resort, provide meaningful "green" experiences for guests, and celebrate heritage values ​​and sustainable tourism.

Last June, Helly Tong visited Six Senses Ninh Van Bay and the Ninh Van Green complex, participating in fun recreational activities and learning about the resort's sustainable operating model. Follow Helly on her journey to discover the beauty of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay that captivated her!

This was Helly Tong's third visit to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, but this time she had a completely new experience, especially with the resort's launch of a renewable energy complex utilizing solar power alongside agricultural farming. Not only did she participate in workshops with the resort staff making soap from coconut oil and natural herbs harvested directly from the organic garden, but Helly also had the opportunity to tour the complex, personally harvest and select ingredients for her cooking class in the garden itself, and then prepare a light and healthy lunch with a Six Senses chef at the Farmhouse restaurant. Enjoying lunch with dishes prepared and cooked by herself, using the freshest and cleanest organic ingredients, was sure to make the experience more fulfilling and relaxing.

A brief overview of the Ninh Van Greens complex: Known as the first resort in Vietnam to adopt a solar power model, the entire Ninh Van Greens solar energy complex at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is built to produce and regenerate 12 different sustainable resources such as solar power, organic vegetables and fruits, and filtered water for the resort. Ninh Van Greens stands out with its design featuring 800 solar panels erected along the hillside, shielding the organic garden below called Solar FreshCuts, covering an area of ​​1600m2. As of January 2023, after becoming operational, Ninh Van Greens had produced over 226,916 kWh of electricity, supplying 17% of the resort's energy. In addition, 31 types of crops and 15 types of fruit trees grown below have provided 580kg of vegetables and fruits for Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Guests staying at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay will have the opportunity to explore the gardens and participate in cooking classes, recycling workshops at the Alchemy Bar, or enjoy vegan cuisine at the Farmhouse restaurant.

During her visit to the 'Crystal Water Plant', a natural drinking water filtration plant part of the Ninh Van Greens project, Helly learned firsthand about the process of filtering and reusing clean natural water, and how the resort creates a circular economy free of plastic waste and CO2 emissions during production. To date, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has produced an average of 11,000 liters of filtered water per month, bottling over 130,000 glass water bottles, reducing 4 tons of plastic waste in the environment. Furthermore, all revenue from bottled water will be donated to a sustainable development fund to bring clean water to over 3,000 local people in remote areas through the “Water for All” project. Sharing her thoughts on her personal page, Helly Tong said: “Upon arriving at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, besides the majestic natural scenery of the sea, mountains, and forests, I was also surprised by the sustainable environmental efforts made day by day by the resort and each individual on this beautiful island.”

The abundant natural beauty of Ninh Van Bay is the preferred habitat of the Black-footed Langur – a rare and endangered species listed in Vietnam's Red Book. Since 2020, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay has collaborated with the wildlife conservation organization Green Viet to implement a conservation program for this rare langur species. After two years of dedicated conservation and care efforts, more than 40 langurs have been born, adding to the total population of 149 individuals living in the ecosystem surrounding Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Guests are sometimes lucky enough to admire the beauty of this rare animal near their villas, or join the resort's wildlife conservation experts on hiking trips to observe the Black-footed Langurs and explore the biodiversity of the area.

Helly had an exciting journey with Ms. Quynh – the resort's biologist – on an early morning hike to explore the colorful nature of Hon Heo and observe this rare but somewhat shy animal. As someone who cares deeply about wildlife conservation, the trip felt like a picnic for like-minded people, filled with laughter and the exchange of interesting knowledge.

Besides its terrestrial conservation projects, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is surrounded by an incredibly rich marine ecosystem, most notably its biologically diverse natural coral reefs, a wonder for any diving enthusiast. This is also an activity that Helly Tong is very passionate about. Here, she had a fascinating experience planting coral in artificial coral frames and then transplanting them into the ocean. A wooden nameplate with Helly's name engraved on it is attached to the coral frame so that when she returns to the resort in the future, she can see the growth of the coral she planted herself. This is part of the Save the Reef project, where guests can purchase artificial coral frames and participate in planting coral. Coral planted in frames is better able to withstand weather and climate conditions and grows faster.

Furthermore, to commemorate this memorable vacation, Helly Tong, along with the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort team, planted a tree named after herself at the resort, marking her commitment and support to Six Senses Ninh Van Bay's "Trees for Community" reforestation project. This project raises funds for sustainable development, aiming to plant 10,000 new trees to restore watershed forests in Central Vietnam.

Located in Ninh Van Bay, nestled amidst a stunning landscape of pristine golden sand beaches and rolling green mountains, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay boasts 62 villas with private pools scattered across cliffs, hillsides, and along the beach, creating a breathtaking blend with nature. At Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, guests can enjoy a variety of family activities, culinary experiences, and sightseeing. In particular, the Six Senses Spa will awaken all your senses with traditional Vietnamese treatments and comprehensive wellness programs.

About Six Senses Group

Six Senses manages 21 hotels and resorts in 17 countries, with 35 new properties under contract, aiming for even stronger system development in the future. As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses is committed to leading in local community development, environmental protection, customer care, and enhancing mental and physical well-being. All these core values ​​are maintained wherever the brand is present: in the mountains, on the islands, or in bustling cities. Together, they aim for a common goal: to transcend typical experiential tourism values ​​and create spaces that awaken the senses, fostering a deeper connection between people, nature, and themselves.

Six Senses Residences are fully equipped with modern amenities to the standards of a top-tier resort, yet retain a unique and sophisticated charm tailored to individual preferences. The long-term investment will yield significant value for owners and future generations through exclusive privileges when using services at all Six Senses resorts and hotels.

Six Senses Spas offers a wide range of health and beauty treatments, guided and advised by leading experts in their respective fields, at each resort and independent spa center. They employ a high-tech approach to holistic health, integrated medicine, and longevity.