Cradled by Ninh Binh’s limestone peaks and rippling rice paddies, Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat is where time slows, senses sharpen, and the quiet rhythm of nature takes the lead.

From the very moment the stone pinnacles of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital rise above the mist-draped rice paddies, you know you’ve arrived at something rare at Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat. Set in the sheltered landscape of the Thai Vi Temple Valley in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, the resort’s grounds quietly echo a thousand years of history. The architecture traces a subtle line between heritage and comfort: traditional northern-Vietnamese forms spread out across gentle gardens and still water, while beyond them rises the dramatic karst landscape that gives the place its sense of pause and presence. A drive from Hanoi brings you here, yet once you cross the threshold, you feel a world away.

The retreat unfolds like a quiet village—rooms and villas gathered gracefully around a lotus-fringed pond, each space drawing its stillness from the peaks beyond. The design feels distinctly Vietnamese, defined by handcrafted details and open-air pavilions. The Oasis Deluxe Rooms are set within two-story buildings in the Mo and Mai areas with balconies facing limestone cliffs. Jiva Hoa Lu House stand apart as private estates
with three bedrooms, sunlit living spaces, and infinity pools that seem to spill into Trang An’s cinematic karsts, perfectly suited for families or friends traveling together. Tra Garden offers the rarest experience of all: a secluded sanctuary reached by a stone bridge and encircled by tea trees, where four tranquil bedrooms, a personal sauna, and a private pavilion invite unhurried connection.

Dining at Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat feels both intimate and expansive—an exploration of place through texture, taste, and time. At Nhật Yên Restaurant, Vietnamese authenticity meets global influence in a tranquil, contemporary setting. Each dish carries the imprint of nearby villages, where ingredients are sourced, and traditions are preserved. For a more contemplative experience, Hạt Gạo—meaning “a single grain of rice”—unfolds within a meticulously restored 120-year-old church (coming soon). Evenings often end at The Cellar Door (coming soon), where fine wines and whiskeys from around the world are served.

At Chỉ Quán Spa, its name meaning “slowing down”, the rhythm of life softens into something quieter. Ancient healing techniques are practiced with an intuitive touch, whether in open-air sessions that move with the breeze or guided yoga and meditation designed to restore balance. Beyond the treatment rooms, the emerald pool is a place where afternoons dissolve into personal reflection.

The Tea House offers a serene pause from the world outside. With views that stretch across the landscape, the curated menu travels far beyond Vietnam, bringing together classic infusions and rare global blends, each served in delicate teacups that heighten the sensory experience. It’s a place not just to drink tea, but to inhabit the moment—to let the warmth, the view, and the silence settle in perfect harmony.

As dusk drapes the surrounding peaks and the air fills with tea and earth, Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat invites you to align your pace with the gentle rhythm of the land.