Ha Giang Aya Lodge, developed by Vietnam-based travel company Local Vietnam, opened in early 2026 along the Ha Giang Loop. Located in the Hmong village of Sung Trai rather than a conventional tourist area, the lodge integrates local living conditions with amenities typically expected by international travelers.
Local Vietnam is operated by Nhung Phung, Duong Phung, and Dutch co-founder Marnick Schoonderwoerd, who have spent many years working and traveling in northern Vietnam. Schoonderwoerd has also produced extensive travel content focused on lesser-known destinations, including Ha Giang.
View from the lodge at night. Photo courtesy of Ha Giang Aya Lodge |
According to the founders, the project was intended to align with the surrounding environment rather than function as a standalone resort, with an emphasis on community-based tourism.
“Ha Giang has incredible landscapes and strong local traditions,” Schoonderwoerd says. “As more travelers discover the region, it becomes even more important to develop tourism in a way that respects those traditions and benefits the people who live here.”
The lodge is situated within a Hmong village, where daily life continues independently of tourism activity, allowing guests to observe and experience aspects of local life while traveling through the region.
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View from the room. Photo courtesy of Ha Giang Aya Lodge |
A weekly market held nearby brings together ethnic groups from surrounding areas and serves as a regular cultural and social gathering point.
Many staff members are recruited from Sung Trai and nearby communities. On-site training is provided, including English language instruction, with the aim of supporting long-term employment opportunities in tourism.
The management team is also involved in small-scale community initiatives, such as English teaching at a nearby school and projects related to local infrastructure.
“We want tourism to create real opportunities locally,” says Nhung. “The lodge should feel like part of the community, not something separate from it.”
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The staff teaching English at a nearby school. Photo courtesy of Ha Giang Aya Lodge |
While emphasizing cultural integration, the lodge is also designed to meet basic comfort standards for travelers on the Ha Giang Loop.
Rooms are equipped with high-quality bedding, heating during colder months, and air conditioning in summer. The restaurant terrace overlooks limestone mountains and surrounding valleys.
The architecture, designed by Vietnamese architect Tung Le, incorporates natural materials and draws on traditional regional design elements, aiming to blend with the surrounding landscape.
Local Vietnam has developed its operations around travel guides and customized itineraries across the country, with a focus on destinations beyond typical tourist routes.
The opening of Ha Giang Aya Lodge reflects this approach in a physical setting, combining local cultural elements with tourism services.
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