A three-day Northwest Vietnam journey with the Lexus SUV lineup

The quest for culinary delights alongside four Lexus SUVs offered participants a unique experience on the familiar Hanoi – Sa Pa route.

Sense Vietnam by Lexus season 2 stopped in Sa Pa in May - the water-pouring season, a time of harmony between heaven and earth. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

The Lexus SUV fleet climbed passes and forded streams, exploring the beauty and culture of Sa Pa. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

For the second consecutive year, Lexus organized a multi-sensory journey combining luxury travel and fine dining, solidifying the brand's pioneering role in connecting with Vietnam's local cultural values. Last year, this journey took guests on an exploration of Cam Ranh's seafood and Da Lat's agricultural produce, accompanied by chef Thao Na, sommelier Nguyen Khac Huy, and barista Nha Thi.

The new-generation Lexus GX 550 off-road SUV on the journey. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

Sense Vietnam by Lexus season 2 stopped in Sa Pa in May - the water-pouring season, a time of harmony between heaven and earth. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

This year, Sense Vietnam by Lexus redefined the experience with new vehicles, a new route, new people, and new emotions in the Northwest region, on the road from Hanoi to Sa Pa (Lao Cai). Four luxury Lexus SUV models were personalized and specially prepared for the journey: the NX 350h, RX 500h F Sport Performance, GX 550, and LX 600.

Dishes featuring purely Sa Pa ingredients were served by chef Viet Hung during the first evening's feast. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

From Hanoi, the sensory awakening began with the Rose Ritual fragrance, exclusively crafted by Maison 21G. Four cars provided four driving experiences, each suited to different styles yet all representative of the "Quiet Luxury" lifestyle that Lexus cultivates globally.

Each dish presented a story of Sa Pa and the aspiration to elevate Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

The Lexus SUV fleet climbed passes and forded streams, exploring the beauty and culture of Sa Pa. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

While the LX 600 offered a serene, “magic carpet” experience, the latest GX 550 SUV delivered the exciting hallmarks of a luxury off-road vehicle. The RX 500h F Sport Performance hinted at contemporary design and a sporty driving experience. Its hybrid engine seamlessly integrated with the all-wheel-drive system, awakening the driver's adrenaline with every press of the accelerator. The "youngest," the NX 350h, provided agile handling due to its compact body, especially noticeable in smooth, precise cornering.

After a relaxing drive on the Hanoi – Lao Cai highway, the guests were eager to tackle the rough, rocky road from Sa Pa town to Seo My Ty freshwater lake. The power of the 3.0L V6 engine in the LX 600 and GX 550, or the parallel hybrid system in the RX, allowed drivers to confidently navigate the mountain passes and streams. The 20 kilometers along the Hoang Lien Son range became a leisurely experience, accompanied by the rich, detailed sound from the Mark Levinson sound system.

The feast, veiled in the Sa Pa mist, provided a meeting place for like-minded souls. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

The new-generation Lexus GX 550 off-road SUV on the journey. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

In recent years, Lexus has fully implemented the Tazuna design language in its interiors, inspired by the reins connecting a rider to their horse in Japanese culture. Going beyond incorporating premium materials like leather, natural wood, and metal, Lexus now creates a stronger connection with the driver. From the seating position and visibility to every button and even the touchscreen, everything is user-friendly, easily accessible, and within the driver's reach.

On the first afternoon, Lexus introduced guests to traditional H’Mong crafts: beeswax painting and indigo dyeing. Raw fabrics were painted with melted beeswax, then repeatedly dipped in wooden vats to absorb the deep blue color from local indigo leaves. This experience echoed the craftsmanship of Lexus, where each vehicle is created with traditional techniques. The artisans' hands spinning fabric and adjusting shades recalled Lexus's spirit: valuing craftsmanship to create a luxurious, personalized experience for each customer.

Tea master Le Dieu (white shirt, center) guided guests through the stories and flavors of unique teas from the Hoang Lien Mountains. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

The driving experience was just the beginning of Sense Vietnam by Lexus. Ahead lay days of discovering culinary treasures in the Northwest region. The first dinner was set atop a hill amidst rice terraces during the water-pouring season at Rua’s House Mountain Hamlet. Chef Nguyen Viet Hung (Ville De Mont Mountain Resort) presented the "No Sa Pa, No Cooking" menu, along with wine expert Ly The Tung (Red Apron).

Dishes featuring purely Sa Pa ingredients were served by chef Viet Hung during the first evening's feast. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

The menu featured ingredients characteristic of Sa Pa and the Northwest mountains. Classic Taittinger Champagne accompanied a baked local pork salad with garden vegetables. Steamed herb-wrapped pork with peanut sauce was paired with Louis Jadot Pinot Noir (Bourgogne), a classic combination balancing richness and herbal aromas. The highlight was the pan-seared duck breast with lotus root and a "forest essence" sauce, elevated by a glass of Saint Emilion Grand Cru from Chateau Montlabert, a quintessential Bordeaux with firm tannins and a deep finish.

On the second day, guests were welcomed at Ville de Mont resort, where chef Tru Lang, a Vietnamese chef with experience in 3-Michelin-starred restaurants, led diners through the "Essence of Sa Pa" dinner. His Vietnamese was hesitant, but his menu, crafted from local Northwest ingredients, was elevated to culinary excellence.

Each dish presented a story of Sa Pa and the aspiration to elevate Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

Beginning with a Sa Pa salmon salad with vinaigrette, followed by honey-roasted local pork with cham cheo sauce, familiar ingredients were prepared with modern refinement while retaining their local soul. Sticky rice cakes with red plum sauce offered a unique twist, blending the sweet and sour highland plums with the soft chewiness of sticky rice.

With the Petite Salad and its "Sansai" wild garlic sprout Vinaigrette, the chef and sommelier paired Sa Pa wild vegetables with Mua Sake infused with passion fruit and cubeb. This combined the spicy cubeb and herbal notes with the bright, light passion fruit, highlighting the vegetable flavors. Even more intriguing was the ice cream made from sake lees, a byproduct usually discarded during brewing. Chef Tru creatively used it with crispy grilled cornbread for a refreshing, unexpected, and sustainable finish.

The menu featured sake brewed by Mua Sake from Vietnamese rice, researched and produced by chef Tru and sake sommelier Lam Hoang. These young Vietnamese, trained by Japanese sake masters, continue the sake story with a unique spirit, respecting tradition while constantly innovating. The second night concluded with impromptu melodies by musician Duc Tri and a jazz band, the music echoing through the cool Sa Pa hills.

The feast, veiled in the Sa Pa mist, provided a meeting place for like-minded souls. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

A profound sense of tranquility permeated the third day. Amidst the clouds at 1,600 meters, the journey paused for guests to savor Dai Bach Tien tea, harvested from centuries-old tea trees in the mountains. The Dai Bach Tien buds (wild forest tea), nurtured in the perpetual mist of the Hoang Lien range, were yin-dried and sun-dried to preserve their delicate downy hairs.

Tea master Le Dieu from Linh Hoa Tra treated the lowland guests to rare teas like White Peony, Tien Minh White Tea, and Dragon Well. Each sip offered a unique, relaxing aroma, evoking memories of the Hoang Lien mountains and concluding the emotional culinary journey with Lexus.

Tea master Le Dieu (white shirt, center) guided guests through the stories and flavors of unique teas from the Hoang Lien Mountains. Photo: Lexus Vietnam

Sense Vietnam by Lexus 2025 awakened the senses with each unexpected moment of its unannounced itinerary: the panoramic views of the Northwest mountains, the touch of local crafts, the taste of authentic cuisine, the aroma of bespoke fragrances in the vehicles, the sounds of the Mark Levinson "orchestra," and the relaxing, emotional driving experiences in each Lexus SUV.

This embodies Omotenashi, a profound Japanese philosophy Lexus has embraced since its inception, where every detail, however small, is attended to with quiet respect and sincere hospitality.