“Luxury is not about visible extravagance. It’s about resting well, regaining balance, and returning to a healthier life. Today's luxury has become much quieter.”
Tin Pan, the general manager of Gariya Mu Cang Chai, believes that luxury is far removed from expensive facilities or special services. He emphasizes 'Quiet Luxury,' which focuses on caring for the body and mind rather than showcasing opulence. What matters is not how much one enjoys, but how well one rests and recovers.
Located in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam, Mu Cang Chai features terraced rice fields along the slopes. This area is home to the Hmong community, which has lived here for generations. During a meeting at a local resort last month, Tin Pan introduced Gariya Mu Cang Chai, highlighting the region's nature and culture before discussing the accommodations and facilities.
“Here, we have a Hmong community with a 400-year history. People, nature, and culture coexist. Connecting this with the Banyan Group's wellness philosophy is the direction Gariya Mu Cang Chai aims to take,” he said.
Utilizing local herbs for spa treatments aligns with this philosophy. “At the center of our wellness is the nature and Hmong culture of this area,” he explained, adding that local herbs are also used in treatments.
While part of the Banyan Group, each brand emphasizes different values. Banyan Tree aims for a 'Sanctuary' where guests can escape daily life for complete relaxation, while Gariya focuses on Asian wellness, minimal design, and 'Beauty in Simplicity.'
Tin Pan hopes Mu Cang Chai will evolve from a tourist destination for viewing natural landscapes to a mountain retreat where guests can stay longer and rejuvenate their bodies and minds.
◆ Wellness Goes Beyond Yoga and Meditation: Focus on Sleep and RecoveryTin Pan defines wellness as encompassing more than just yoga, meditation, and spa treatments.
The scope of wellness at Gariya includes nutrition, rest, physical activity, personal growth, and relationships. Among these, Tin Pan repeatedly emphasized the importance of sleep.
“Sleep is crucial for recovery and replenishing energy,” he stated.
Gariya Mu Cang Chai employs technology in its sleep and recovery programs, utilizing neuroacoustic music, nerve stimulation devices, sleep monitoring, and red light therapy alongside hydrotherapy.
However, he stressed that the local natural environment and culture take precedence over technology. Tin Pan explained that technology is merely a tool to aid relaxation and recovery, while the essence of wellness lies in the nature and Hmong culture of Mu Cang Chai.
He is also a triathlete, enjoying not only swimming, cycling, and running but also trekking in the Himalayas and diving. In discussing various sports, he emphasized the importance of 'breathing.'
“Breathing is essential whether diving, competing in a triathlon, or climbing the Himalayas,” he said.
For him, yoga and meditation are not separate activities but part of a holistic approach that includes physical activity, breathing, rest, and recovery. He believes wellness should not be limited to experiencing specific programs but should be practiced consistently in daily life.
◆ Emphasizing Healthy Aging Over Anti-agingAnother value pursued by Gariya Mu Cang Chai is 'Well-aging.'
Tin Pan stated that instead of the term 'Anti-aging,' which implies resisting age, he prefers 'Live Longer, Healthier.'
“There’s no need to resist aging. It’s more important to live long and healthy, and to be happy as we age,” he said.
This reflects a focus on maintaining health rather than clinging to youth, which is why sleep, physical activity, and balanced lifestyles are emphasized.
The relationship with the local community is also significant. According to Tin Pan, over 80% of Gariya Mu Cang Chai's staff come from the local Hmong community. The resort also runs scholarship programs to support Hmong women pursuing higher education.
They have installed water supply facilities at a nearby kindergarten to improve living conditions for residents in the mountainous area.
“Previously, children had to travel about 7 kilometers to find clean water,” he said, adding, “I want to expand water facilities for kindergartens in mountainous areas and help more Hmong women access higher education.”
He has a strong interest in women's education.
“If Hmong women receive better education and secure good jobs, their lives can change. The position of women within the community can also improve,” he said.
They are committed not only to employing local residents but also to expanding educational opportunities and improving living conditions.
When asked about memorable guests, he shared a story about a couple from Dubai who stayed at Gariya Mu Cang Chai for about three weeks and were in tears on their checkout day.
“After staying for a long time and interacting with staff from morning to night, it felt like home,” he said.
He highlighted this anecdote to emphasize the Banyan Group's pursuit of 'Travel with Purpose.' He believes that the relationships formed with local people are as much a part of the travel experience as the relaxation enjoyed at the destination.
◆ Increase in Korean Guests: Accessibility Remains a ChallengeCurrently, about half of the guests are domestic customers from Vietnam. International visitors come from Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, with an increasing number of Korean guests recently.
Tin Pan noted, “Korean customers show interest in wellness and nature,” positively assessing the growth potential of the Korean market.
However, accessibility remains a challenge. It currently takes about six hours to drive from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai. Tin Pan anticipates that improvements to road conditions will reduce travel time to around four hours by the end of the year.
As the interview concluded, he was asked what he hopes guests take away from their stay. Tin Pan reiterated the concept of 'Quiet Luxury.'
“I don’t want guests to consume wellness while they are here and then forget it afterward. I hope they continue that way of living even after checking out.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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