Vietnam

Resembling a 13^th century palace in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh, Legacy Yen Tu offers a secluded boutique experience surrounded by forests and misty mountains. Nearby Yen Tu Mountain is home to some of the most important Buddhist monuments in Vietnam, including the country’s largest copper pagoda. The region is the cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism and attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. 

With a wellness centre due to open later in 2019 and yoga lessons on offer, it promises a dose of zen for travel-weary guests. While the surrounding landscape provides those wanting to submerse themselves in nature with good trekking opportunities. 

Each of the hotel's 133 rooms has been crafted in local materials and designed in a unique style that has made its architect, Bill Bensley, famous throughout the hotel scene in Southeast Asia. And each room also boasts views of the surrounding mountains and a welcome absence of a TV to ensure minimum distraction. 

Yen Tu remains blissfully unbeknown to international travellers yet it makes a delightful retreat for those travelling between ever-popular Hanoi and Halong Bay. It's also a fabulous option for those on a shorter itinerary without the time to visit northern Vietnam's highlands but yearning for a taste of nature. 

Spend a night at the Legacy Yen Tu MGallery by Sofitel on our 13-day Northern Vietnam itinerary.