Photo Credit: Mr. Yannick Walrave

Beneath the quiet grandeur of the Stilt House Museum sits Ms. Tenh Y Vang, a 54-year-old H'mong woman from Pa Co Lon Hamlet, Pa Co Commune. With a tjanting pen in hand, she meticulously etches traditional H'mong patterns onto linen fabric. At midday on even days, she takes her place, shouldering the profound responsibility of preserving and sharing her ethnic's ancient art of batik drawing with the wider world.

How her story with batik painting begins

Ms. Tenh beams with pride, knowing she's the third generation in her family to carry on this precious legacy. Her mother shared with her that this skill has been passed down since her great-grandmother's time. Therefore, from the earliest days, the image of her grandmother, mother, and aunts in the village, diligently drawing whimsical patterns on cloth, was deeply etched into her young mind. Day after day, she watched them, not quite knowing when this art first captured her heart.

The H’mong woman vividly recalls getting burned by hot beeswax the first time she held the pen. Her loud cry then marked the very initial moments of her journey into the craft. Yet, with each passing day, her hands grew steadier. Starting with rough lines on plain fabric, then moving to more precise designs on skirt waistbands, her drawings steadily pulled her further into the rich world of batik.

The long journey of the authentic artisan

The H'mong art of batik painting holds a distinct charm, setting it apart from other traditional crafts. Its uniqueness shines through in everything from the raw materials and textures to the intricate patterns. This distinctiveness brings forth a wonderful range of products, including beautiful paintings for your walls, warm scarves, clothes, pillowcases, blankets, and more.

Whether their product is completed depends on two key steps: drawing and indigo dyeing. The drawing requires constant creativity from the artist, including inventing fresh, unique patterns and ensuring every line is balanced and flows smoothly. Meanwhile, good quality dye means the piece will absorb the color faster and become a vibrant, deep blue.

Photo Credit: @overyummed

"To achieve pure beeswax," Ms. Vang explained with her voice full of passion, "the Hmong collect natural honeycomb. We then heat it until it melts completely, and filter out all impurities using a cloth. The wax must be perfectly clean for the colors to emerge beautifully and last. Once cooled, the wax hardens, and each time we need it, we simply reheat it until it melts again."

The global community companion

Through a long process of mastering her skill, Ms. Tenh Y Vang is now incredibly happy to have preserved her ethnic group's traditional craft. But what many don't know is that this journey of preserving a valuable tradition wasn't just hers or the local community's. It also involved people from afar who care about the survival and growth of ethnic minority communities.

Ms. Tenh shared that a non-profit, fair-trade organization called Craftlinks has been supporting her village's beeswax drawing craft for nearly 30 years. Craftlinks works to help ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and traditional craft villages revitalize cultural traditions, develop handicraft production, and boost community income. Ms. Tenh recalled how, in earlier days, Craftlinks would print out patterns on paper for the women to study and follow. Now, Ms. Tenh has become so skilled that she can simply imagine and then draw intricate patterns purely from her mind. Each day, she can complete a beautiful beeswax painting.

Avana got its start from a deep desire: to create a real green tourism model where the environment and the local community always come first. 

Our mission is to restore the area around Avana to its original, untouched beauty from decades ago. We want to make sure the kids running around barefoot today will have a safer, cleaner environment to grow up in tomorrow. We're also working hard to help the communities nearby understand how vital it is to live green, keep things clean, and see how precious their long-standing culture truly is. That's basically everything Avana Retreat is striving for.

You might think a big dream requires a big foundation. But on the journey to make those precious goals a reality and sustainability, we'd say: Greatness comes from the simplest things

#1: Daily conversations with the locals

Recently, James Thai, CEO of Avana Retreat, together with the top leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry, had a meeting at the Asia Sustainable Travel (AST) Forum in Hanoi to tackle key industry challenges. During the forum, Mr. James shared: "Engaging in collaborative dialogue and repurposing local natural materials helped us achieve the resort's unique standards."

With 90% of our workforce being local, Avana has truly become an integral part of the community, embracing the unique language, sounds, and culture of the region. Many of our Thai, Hmong, and Muong team members, who once relied solely on two rice harvests a year, are starting to learn everyday English phrases, how to fold napkins, set forks and knives, and even bake. They come to Avana really wanting to improve themselves, and we're just as passionate about helping this area grow. As long as they're eager to grow, we provide free training, career guidance, and employment opportunities. We're giving them the chance to work right here in their homeland, and in return, they're giving us the opportunity to have them as cherished members of the Avana family.

#2: The everyday work that sustains local communities

Being welcomed into this land has opened up so many doors for us to their culture and traditional crafts. That's brought us a treasure trove of sustainable materials to build our resort with! The local artisans in this region have been amazing teachers, showing us how to plaster mud walls, pick the best palm leaves for roofing, and share their unique Thái and H'mong house-building secrets that keep rooms so toasty in winter and wonderfully breezy in summer. When stepping into any corner of Avana Retreat – from the chill-out lounges to the private villas and restaurants – you'll find it adorned with stunning handmade items such as comfy pillows with vibrant brocade patterns, or gorgeous lamps woven from rattan and bamboo. Crafted from all-natural materials, Avana Retreat's decorations are more than just beautiful – they're also earth-friendly.

#3: Honoring cultures through global sharing

Beyond the culture of the Northwest, Avana Retreat also wants to share the idea of respecting cultures from all over the world through how we run our sustainable resort. During the Asia Sustainable Travel (AST) Forum, our COO, James Thai, shared some smart, budget-friendly ideas that any business could start using right away. A prime example he gave was Avana’s old-school mechanical keys. This simple swap doesn't just cut down on plastic key cards, it also beautifully shows our respect for Jewish guests who observe Shabbat without electronic devices.

The beauty and strength of women, a constant source of wonder, demand a language of subtlety and grace. Let’s explore the Northwestern men's delicate love expressions that win the hearts of their women.

Expression through the secret signals
In the Northwest region, there are weekly markets from dawn until around 9-10 a.m. where local people exchange goods with each other. On the end-of-month or special days, there will be cultural activities such as dancing, singing, and playing folk instruments. Boys will dress beautifully and carry panpipes and flutes. If they are captivated by any girl, they will approach her and express their feelings.
Experience this slice of local life at Bao La Market, a 4.5km walk from Avana Retreat, where locals gather every Friday morning.

Expression in nonverbal language
There's a very famous musical instrument in the Northwest called the panpipe. This instrument is made from bamboo and copper, and its sounds are both deep and soaring, powerful yet full of emotion. Perhaps for this reason, the panpipes are favored by Northwest boys, who choose them as their "messenger pigeon" to send loving words to the girls they adore.
They often stand on a hillside, playing captivating melodies to send their love to the girl in the neighboring village. If the girl hears and responds by appearing or sending a signal, such as tying a scarf to a tree.

Listen to the sound of the panpipes and immerse yourself in it with dances during the weekly Wednesday and Saturday night experience next to the Green Chili restaurant at Avana Retreat, allowing you to harmonize, interact, and connect with the local people.

Expression under the floor
When a Thai boy likes a girl, he will go to her house at night, stand under the floor, and use a long stick to gently poke the floor to wake her up. If she agrees to talk, she will open the door or come down the stairs to meet the boy.
This is a discreet, subtle, yet patient way to express affection. If the girl is not interested, she can remain silent or politely decline. If she has feelings for him, they will continue to get to know each other through such 'floor poking' sessions.

Visit the stilt house museum. Avana's stilt house dates back to 1970 and was relocated and rebuilt when the Avana project began construction, offering a deeper understanding of the region's culture and history.

Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness, so your journey at Avana Retreat wouldn’t be complete without a culinary adventure. Green Chili restaurant is here to treat you to Soul Food, brimming with the delicious flavors of Northwest Vietnam and beyond.

Hanoi’s “Bún Chả”
Originating from the bustling streets of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi Kebab Rice Noodles symbolizes Vietnamese cuisine.
This dish features the rich flavors of marinated grilled meat, served with rice noodles, various fresh herbs, and a delightful sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. The grilled meat's charming touch of charcoal smoke gives it an unforgettable flavor.

Mai Chau Catfish
The Black River (Da River) flowing through Mai Chau endows the land with a freshwater specialty called catfish. These fish are rich in nutrients, firm yet tender, with very few bones, and have a tempting aroma.
At Avana Retreat, catfish is marinated with turmeric and galangal to eliminate fishiness. To balance its rich flavor, you can roll the fish with accompanying vermicelli, herbs, and peanuts.

Grilled Lemongrass Duck Meat Ball
Vietnamese meatballs from Central Vietnam are a delightful blend of caramel-colored meatballs paired with a rich, savory dipping sauce and fresh herbs.
While traditional Vietnamese meatballs are usually made with pork, at Green Chili restaurant, we use duck instead, giving this dish a more robust and distinctive flavor.

Dried Buffalo with Green Papaya Salad
The Thai people used to have a hunting tradition, often going on trips that lasted several days and yielded plenty of fresh meat. To preserve their catch, they developed a method of drying the meat, giving birth to the famous dried buffalo dish.
Today, dried buffalo is enjoyed in various ways, including The Dried Buffalo with Green Papaya Salad. This dish features a delicious blend of dried buffalo, green papaya, carrots, fresh herbs, peanuts, sesame seeds, and a tangy sweet and sour sauce. It’s a refreshing and tasty way to complement your main dishes and lighten up any meal!

Vietnamese cuisine is always an exciting topic, and what could be better than savoring these culinary treasures from Soul Food at Green Chili restaurant?

For nearly every Vietnamese child, the memory of a cold is intertwined with the fragrance of their mother's special pot. What seemed like mere cuttings, like a branch of a grapefruit tree, some sun-dried leaves and dried peel, a quick gathering of backyard leaves, and some sliced ginger, can become, in a mother's hands, a potent remedy for the little bodies in the sick days.

She covers her sick child and the hot pot with a blanket so they can breathe in the steam. That fresh and invigorating scent extracted from the garden herbs sparks a flurry of emotional memories whenever we smell it.

At Orchid Spa, we've infused those cherished childhood scents into our therapies that allow you to find the inner balance, improve your well-being, and uplift your spirit. Today, we invite you to reminisce about mother's comforting care with our signature aromatherapy treatments.

Avana Signature Soothing
Indulge in our signature treatment, a personalized journey beginning with your selection of exquisite essential oils. Combined with medium to firm pressure, acupressure points are stimulated, and circulation is enhanced. The therapeutic warmth of traditional Vietnamese herbal packs is then applied to deeply soothe tired muscles and inflamed joints, promoting flexibility and restoring vital energy.

Deep Tissue Release
This powerful treatment is designed to alleviate deep-seated tension and muscular stress. Enhanced by a special oil of your selection, our therapists will use light to firm pressure and acupressure techniques to warm your tissue and soften the superficial layers. They then move slowly onto the deeper tissue layers to provide your body with deep relaxation and revitalization.

Vietnamese Energy Healing
This treatment benefits from the healing properties of natural oil to enhance skin penetration and create an overall sense of well-being using a combination of gentle to medium pressure with long strokes and kneading techniques. 

​Reawaken the mother's childhood embrace with us!

With the idea to honor the architectural highlights of the natives, 36 bungalows and villas of Avana Retreat are constructed with the guidance of craftsmen from three minority groups of Mai Chau. Every corner, every inch, is imbued with the cultures and identities of the natives.

Dry in spring, cool in summer, warm in autumn, and wind-proof in winter, the villa responds to the environment of the Northwest mountain wonderfully, thanks to a unique building method: totally hand-crafted earthwork. With architecture modernities these days, it’s hard to believe a raw, natural material like earth is still useful. In fact, this ancient method is one of the most sustainable building methods. 

The craftsman said that thatched roofs are the best, they are abundant, light, and effective. By layering up palm leaves, it prevents heat leaks in the winter and keeps the space chill around the summer. Looking from afar, it’s like camouflage that blends seamlessly into nature.

A traditional craft of the Thai ethnic groups, using the outer layer of the rattan tree, the craftsmen skillfully entwine the solid timbers into patterns. You can see it on the ceiling, you can see it on the chandelier, the sedge carpet, or the buffalo muzzle decor, all contribute to a space that is truly in tune with nature.

Take a day to explore Avana Retreat and you will see a stilt house hiding on a low hill. It might surprise you that usually there would be a bungalow constructed here, so why does a stilt house of the natives placed right here? Well, it's not just a traditional house, it is a renovated museum full of stories and past memories. 

Built in 1970, this stilt house was moved to its current location as the construction started. Back in the days when Avana Retreat was no more than concrete and frames, the founders would get together in the stilt house after a day of hard work and talk about the process, share their hopes, and just bond over the tough times. The stilt house witnessed all and came through the hardships with us, it was our special place.

Then, the house was converted into a museum when the project was finished. Opening from 9:00 to 17:00, you can come and observe the collections of jewelry, traditional clothing, farming tools, literature, musical instruments, and many other interesting objects of the three ethnic groups that reside close to Avana: Thai, Muong, and H'mong. There are new ones, there are old ones, and there are ones that are still useful to this day. A guide is always there to walk you through the details. Every artifact has its own story, and it's always nice to understand the culture from the natives. 

A Thai old lady sitting peacefully, looming over her weave is a familiar sight in the space underneath the stilt house. It is also the place for Avana's craft workshops such as Batik art or Bamboo weaving craft, all you need is to register and get a hands-on lesson with the artisans themselves. In winter evenings, we would gather around, light up some firewood and roast corn and sweet potatoes. Eating the yummy treats, having a sip of warm tea, and warming up the atmosphere with cozy moments around the fire really bring back the good old days.

​​Brocade motifs are regarded as the spirit of mountain culture. Every ethnic group has unique textiles and colorways, and you will be mesmerized by the Thai’s creative patterns of nature, family, and culture. 

Thai brocades are known for rich, lively hues, so their colorways don’t match the word ‘boring’. White for rice, green for trees, blue for the sky, and endless shades of flowers, under the skillful hands of Thai women, they loom each thread into a big pattern, reflecting their vivid life of nature and labor. 

In Thai ethnic culture, brocade weaving and women are inseparable.  Starting from 8 to 9 years old, little girls learn the basics of brocade weaving from their moms and grandmothers. "Girls know how to weave, boys know how to fish", that's what they say. After a girl has acquired all these abilities and can create her own goods, she is regarded as an adult. Brocade weaving is the symbol of a woman’s virtues. Her aesthetic appears in every color she entwines, her meticulousness shows in every thread she spins, and her passion shines through every pattern she weaves. 

We believe that culture is a form of art, of which the only artist to perform it is people who connect deeply to it. No pens or notebooks, just you and the artisan, cherishing authentic culture. Hear the tales being woven through the loom and learn a thing or two from their patterns mix matching from a Thai woman sitting at the loom weaving brocade patterns under the Stilt House.

Costumes say a lot about a person, and looking at the traditional clothes of the H’mongs you will see their culture in it. The H’mong, they proudly wear traditional costumes that exalt the beauty of Batik Art - a long-standing traditional custom. In the midst of modern times with fast fashion and quick costumes, true artistry like batik art is truly precious.

Every H’mong batik artist is familiar with the aroma of heated wax. They are masters in creating elaborate designs with wax and a tjanting tool, a wooden instrument with a small metal receptacle at the end for holding hot, melted wax, and the nib through which the wax flows. Batik is a type of resist dyeing, so every detail they draw on the hand-loomed hemp is not fixable. The more skilled the artisan is, the better dexterity is shown on every line, every curve. 

As the H’mong do not have a written form, textiles have become their way of expression. Living in the midst of nature, their motifs are heavily influenced by the surroundings and labor life: plant seeds, snail shells, ferns, rice flowers,...Alike the ancient Vietnamese, the H’mong thought that the sky was round and the ground was square, thus you'll see these basic forms employed in many of the foundation designs inside each little square of cloth.

Last but not least, Batik art isn’t completed without the indigo shade. At late summer, the H’mongs will go to the fields to cut indigo leaves and dye the fabric, with young girls often following their mothers to the fields from early morning. After the batik drawing has dried and the wax has been removed, the material is again dipped multiple times to create the signature dark blue. The batik process is complete, with powerful white motifs set against hues of blue indigo.

Independent from modern fabrics, with dexterity from years of refining the craft, they inlaid their costumes with exquisite golden motifs. It is Batik Art, the pride of the H’mong.

Up in the mountains, where life is still at its own pace, the ethnic groups' lives are much braided with nature and all its rawness in a familiar material: rattan

One of their oldest skills, weaving with bamboo and rattan, is still widely practiced in their villages. Made of solid timbers from bamboo, may come out stiff and boring, yet under the skillful hand of the artisans, rattan strands are intertwined in the most complex patterns. Plain, twill, basket, satin, every knot is highlighted by the earthy undertone of bamboo strips.

Besides the beautiful patterns that are pleasing to the eye, rattan is a material that has a lot to offer. Durable, abundant, and easy to amend, the Hmongs have a variety of handicrafts to assist their daily lives: sedge baskets, kitchenwares, boxes, even religious artifacts, and many more. 

Much as modern days have replaced natural items with more efficiency, there is not any match as authentic, close-to-nature, and intricate as rattan weaving. Captivated by the rustic, unique beauty of rattan weaving, Avana Retreat's decoration can not miss out on the touch of rattan. You can see it on the decor by the nightstand, you can spot it on the basket, you can notice the walls weaved in wave patterns, and you can feel the heat subsides by the rattan ceiling in the summertime. All of our rattan products are made of Hmong artisans, who still keep the craft alive and going. To engage rattan weaving in our concept is to treasure an art, and to continue a story of a prolonged culture that is almost replaced and forgotten. 

Under the Stilt House Museum, you can join the rattan weaving workshop. Sit next to our artisan, listen to his story of mastering the craft, admỉre the expertise in every knot, and experience weaving it yourself!