Looking for a soulful retreat for both your mind and body? Celebrating International Day of Yoga on June 21st, Booking.com reveals peaceful destinations that set the perfect scene for your best yoga session yet. Even your breathing, relax your whole body for stretches, feel the world quiet down, and take in the perfect ambience and tranquility of these five amazing locales to channel your inner yogi.
Yen Tu Mount, Quang Ninh
Nestled in the mountainous area of North-eastern Vietnam, Yen Tu Mount is surrounded by dense bamboo and pine forests, and widely known as the cradle of Zen Buddhism in Vietnam. With picturesque landscape and a long-standing religious history, the road to Yen Tu is said to be the path to inner peace and self-contentment. Feel your worries melt away as you ascend to the mountain top, either on the tramway or by hiking, and take in the breathtaking view of Yen Tu National forest and huge fluffy clouds. There are numerous religious sites for visitors to come to pray and meditate, such as Truc Lam Yen Tu Zen Sect – the cradle of Buddhism in Northern Vietnam, Giai Oan Stream, Hoa Yen Pagoda, Hue Quang Tower, and Dong Pagoda.
Ba Be Lake, Bac Kan
Ba Be Lake wears the majesty of rugged mountains and mossy forests, and a soft, ethereal charm with clear water connecting heaven and earth. With serene natural landscape and rich ethinic cultures, Ba Ba Lake is a true hidden gem in Northeast Vietnam for those who want a yoga retreat off the beaten track. Visitors can choose to stay at spacious stilt houses of Tay people near the lake to feel the warmth and hospitality of the villagers. In addition to having some of the most relaxing yoga sessions, visitors can also enjoy traditional dishes of the mountainous area, try fragrant rice wine, canoeing, or fishing for a change of scenery.
Mai Chau, Hoa Binh
Mai Chau is an isolated area of traditional villages in a valley only 139km from Hanoi, with fantastic scenery of opposite charms. On the windy roads surrounding the cliffs, Mai Chau is enchanting and free-spirited. In between emerald green paddies and tranquil villages, Mai Chau presents an idyllic rural scene that is perfect for yoga enthusiasts to visit and free their mind.
The scenery isn’t the only reason visitors flood to Mai Chau though; here you can find true budget accommodations run by ethnic minority families, purpose-built to give tourists the ’homestay’ experience, complemented by traditional cuisine, rice wine and dancing. Besides private rooms, the lodgings here also offer large communal rooms where you can sleep on a mat laid upon traditional bamboo floors for a unique getaway.
Cat Ba Island, Quang Ninh
Morning yoga by the beach. That’s it. That’s the ultimate meditative treat that all office workers are fantasizing about in their cubicles, and a trip to Cat Ba will give them just that and more! Rugged, jungle-clad Cat Ba is the largest island in Halong Bay, and although it has experienced a tourism surge in recent years, the island remains largely untouched and tranquil, with a welcomed addition of accommodations at different price points. Known for its beautiful, white sandy beaches and peaceful ambiance, Cat Ba is the perfect destination for travelers looking to rest and relax all the while taking time to experience nature.
Ho Tuyen Lam, Da Lat
Da Lat became a popular holiday spot, away from the city’s heat from as early as the first half of the 20th century by French colonists. Boasting an alpine plus lakeside summer holiday town, Da Lat charms visitors with grand old hotels, retro villas with lush gardens, and perfect tranquility. One of the most iconic tourist sites in Da Lat is Truc Lam Zen Monastery, where yogis can catch a glimpse into the history of Zen Buddhism, the path to self-enlightenment, and inner peace. The monastery is located near Tuyen Lam Lake, a picturesque and distinctively quiet spot for travelers who seek idyllic surroundings to lose themselves in.
