Many of us enjoyed camping when we were younger, but now we need a little more comfort when we take a short break from city life. Fortunately, camping in Vietnam has got glamorous.
A night spent under canvas, on the shores of a lake or a beach, surrounded by the sounds of nature and below a starstudded sky is an experience most of us will have had at some point in our lives. Many of us have fond memories of leaving the hectic city for a couple of nights spent in a tent, building a campfire, fishing for dinner then cooking a BBQ with friends. But let’s face it, as we get a little older, camping doesn’t have quite the appeal it did when we were younger.
There’s a lot to carry, even for just a couple of nights. Sleeping on the hard ground plays havoc with our ageing backs, insects find their way into the food, walking to the bathrooms in the pitch dark is not much fun, and when you get there the shower water is always cold. We miss the comforts of home, a decent bed, mosquito net, perhaps even an en suite bathroom. Somewhere to eat a hot meal so we don’t have to play around with a fire, and a good wifi connection.
If you’re looking for a back-to-nature experience but want to comforts of at least a half-respectable hotel, then a night or two glamping may just fit the bill. The origin of this term is a combination of the words camping and glamorous. In a nutshell, glamping is upmarket camping with a touch of luxury thrown in to make your home-away-from-home a little more comfortable than the average run-of-the-mill tent. Over the last decade or so, it’s become popular for many wanting an escape from urban life without the complications of pitching a tent or building a fire.
Vietnam’s glamping options are numerous and varied, but the chances are they’ll include a real mattress, running water and a proper toilet rather than a makeshift hole in the ground. Sometimes you’ll be sleeping in a wooden cabin, or a large safari tent, or perhaps a traditional rigged-framed yurt, popular throughout much of Asia. You’ll probably have electricity and wifi, there might be a fitted kitchen, and perhaps an outside seating area to socialise with friends or family. It probably won’t be fivestar, that’s for sure, but you’ll have many of the services you’d expect from a hotel or resort, and a lot more glamorous luxury than your average camping trip.
As the idea of glamping starts to attract those who might normally stay in a hotel, more and more glamping sites are starting to crop up in some lovely locations around the country. Below are a few of the more popular ones.
CAMPART BY MỢ JEN
CampArt by Mợ Jen is a magical lakeside glamping site set deep in a forest, surrounded by hundreds of towering pines trees with large canvas tents raised on platforms dotted between them. Although not the height of glamorous luxury, the site prepares everything you will need for your glamping experience from tents and blankets to torches, chairs and tables.
The vibe of the resort is complete relaxation so the atmosphere is quiet and serene, and although popular with couples, there are plenty of opportunities to mix and socialise with fellow glampers. As dusk falls, staff walk the site helping guests to light their campfires as the evening chill sets in. This is the time to grill your potatoes, chat amongst friends or listen to music. If you don’t want to cook for yourself, there’s an onsite restaurant serving dishes such as steak, smoked goose breast, spaghetti, and mushroom soup. During the day there’s plenty to keep you leisurely occupied. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent canoes to explore Tuyen Lam lake, take a trip to nearby Cu Lan village, or hike up to the lonely pine. Each night, CampArt only accepts 30 guests so make sure you book in advance.
Suoi Vang Lake, Lac Duong, Lam Dong Province.
Facebook: CampArt by #MợJen
LAK TENTED CAMP
Nestled on a small hill overlooking the picturesque Lak Lake, Lak Tented Camp is located in Dak Lak Province, about 50km south of Buon Ma Thuot City airport and about 160 km north of Da Lat, both easily accessible with short flights from Saigon. This really is an oasis of calm for those wanting to escape their bustling city life and reconnect with nature, if only for a night or two.
Accommodation choices include tented and wooden lodges that tastefully combine rustic and elegant designs, with comfortable beds, en suite bathrooms, electric fans and balconies that offer splendid views over the lake and surrounding countryside. The perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee or evening sundowner.
Lak Tented Camp has been set up with the purpose of preserving the integrity of local culture as well as the natural environment. Each wooden bungalow is named after one of the ethnic villages that surround Lak Lake and depicts its own story of local culture and art. With a higher level of comfort than the tented lodges, bungalows are the perfect choice for honeymooners or holidaying families.
The resort’s restaurant is located in a traditional wooden longhouse with a menu offering both Vietnamese and Western cuisine. Activities on offer also showcase the Central Highlands way of life and include a half-day trip to the historic coffee trails of Dakphoi.
193 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Lien Son, District de LAK, Daklak Province
Tel: (+84) 908 376 4364
GLAMPING DAI LANH BEACH
What could be a better way to greet the morning than throwing back the covers of your tent and stepping out just metres away from the golden-white sands of Dai Lanh beach. Utter bliss and an Instagrammer’s heaven.
If you’re a beach lover, Glamping Dai Lanh Beach takes glamping to the next level. Located on Dai Lanh beach just north of Nha Trang, the site is on one of the most naturally beautiful beaches of the region, with tented accommodation positioned among a plantation of coconut palms.
Each tent is placed above the sand on wooden platforms that extend outwards to create decking areas with chairs and tables for socialising and relaxing. Minimalist in design inside and out, the tents are furnished with bamboo beds, chairs and tables, and although they don’t have en suite bathrooms they are certainly a cut above the average two-person tent. The site has a community vibe and there are plenty of opportunities to interact with other guests, on the beach, or gathered around the campfire for evening sing-alongs and chats.
There’s a selection of food and beverage available, and if days spent relaxing on the beach is not you’re thing, there are plenty of fun activities on offer such as kayaking, jet-skiing, and fishing.
Dong Nam, Dai Lanh, Van Ninh Khanh Hoa, Khanh Hoa Province
Tel: (+84) 2583 842 117
TANYOLI
Tanyoli describes itself as an experiential resort, and a stay at Tanyoli will take you on a journey of self-discovery where you’re immersed in a vast space of heaven, sea, mountains and sand dunes.
Tanyoli is more than just a glamping site so there’s plenty on offer to keep you occupied during the day. Located in Son Hai village, Thuan Nam, Ninh Thuan, the local area is steeped in natural beauty with towering sand dunes, pristine clear beaches and the majestic Truong Son mountain peak. The full site covers 15 hectares and includes an amusement park that offers adventure games such as archery, high wire, zipline, and off-road driving.
There’s a choice of accommodation depending on the level of comfort you’re after. Dreamy wooden huts are tucked in among the undulating hills, small, cosy and suitable for groups of three adults or small families. Lined with Swedish style wooden panelling, the huts have en suite bathrooms and refreshment facilities provided.
Also available are 30 square metre Mongolian style yurts that comfortably accommodate up to six people. Beautifully decorated, cosy and comfortable, each tent is equipped with an air-con system to ensure you get a perfect night’s sleep. There’s plenty of entertainment to enjoy before you hit the sack, with nightly singalongs, historical story-telling and a selection of food from the local region served nightly.
Km 19, Son Hai, Phuoc Dinh, Thuan Nam, Ninh Thuan Province
Tel: (+84) 90 182 0114
LU GLAMPING PHAN THIẾT
LU Glamping is one of the closest glamp sites to Saigon, located about 30 km south from Pham Thiet, heading towards La Gi and close to Ke Ga lighthouse and Tien Thanh beach resort. The site is approximately 4 hectares in size, backed on one side by rolling mountains, surrounded by a beautiful melaleuca forest and perched upon its own long white-sand beach. This is a place for sea lovers where bed-to-beach living becomes a reality.
The spaces are basic and it’s only a small step up from the comfort of camping in a tent, but if you’re looking to experience something new, at a very affordable price, and just a hop skip and a jump from the water’s edge then Lu Glamping is worth some serious consideration. There’s a bar on-site and freshly caught local seafood sizzles on the BBQ at various times during the day.
Ke Ga, Tan Thanh, Ham Thuan Nam, Binh Thuan Province
Tel: (+84) 963 791 212
COCO BEACH CAMP
One of the finest glamping destinations in Vietnam, CoCo Beach Camp is just 160km from Saigon in Lagi, Binh Thuan Province. Despite its proximity to Saigon, Phan Thiet and Vung Tau, stepping through the resort’s entrance is like stepping into another world where beachside fun is everyone’s top priority.
The glamp-site offers an unforgettable vacation experience— glamping on the beach in Boho, Gypsy and Rustic style tents, eating delicious food and drinks, and falling asleep to the murmur of waves. The tents at CoCo Beach are equipped with portable air conditioners and each has a capacity of five to 15 people, making them suitable for couples, families and groups of friends.
The resort has a bit of a party vibe, with a popular beachside bar serving ice cold beers and signature cocktails and regular events drawing crowds from Saigon. When the partying is done, there are plenty of activities on offer to keep you occupied, or just kick back, relax, and enjoy the expansive beach.
Le Cong Minh Street, Tan Phuoc, Lagi, Binh Thuan Province
Tel: (+84) 93 316 3333
