Get away from it all in North Vietnam

Vietnam is emerging as a preeminent destination for resort retreats and such, and north of the capital city of Hanoi, way up in the mountains is the well-known area of Sapa. Long a favoured getaway for backpackers and hikers, more classy digs have been setting up shop there as of late; the latest being Vitoria Hotels & Resorts who will open the Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa.

Opening in February 2008, the mountain chalet resort will boast stunning panoramas of the mountains, including a view of Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Vietnam. The decoration of the resort has been inspired by local traditions, with its stone walls, wooden bathtubs and cultural motifs lining the walls. Ronan Bianchi is the general manager of the Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, and explains their goals as: “Our vision is to create a refuge of well being integrated with the authentic spirit of the resort and its environment in this beautiful mountain setting.”

People have long travelled to the north of Vietnam to witness the hilltribes indigenous to the region, and the spa will offer overnight excursions to live with the locals. Obviously the exploitation and commodification of similar tribes in more touristy Thailand has done nothing to quell the commercial pursuits of the spa and morality is still second fiddle to monetary opportunism.