Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges is situated by the Son River, amidst the limestone mountains of Phong Nha - Ke Bang, an area renowned for the world's largest cave system, Son Doong cave. This eco-resort introduces a new approach to leisure and discovery tourism, emphasizing harmony with nature, minimizing environmental impact, and enriching personal experiences for guests.

Given Phong Nha's unique natural environment, characterized by flood seasons, primary forests, and limestone formations hundreds of millions of years old, the resort is developed with a focus on environmental impact reduction. The project adheres to IFC BRI sustainability standards, featuring elevated structures, floating tent systems, and the use of bamboo, recycled wood, and environmentally friendly materials.

Auko features 30 eco-lodges nestled among lush greenery, contributing to biodiversity conservation while ensuring privacy for guests. Each lodge is equipped with beds featuring 300TC sheets, outdoor bathtubs, and amenities such as herbal foot soaks, foot massages, and minibars with snacks.

Eco-lodge nestled amidst greenery. *Photo: Auko*

Auko resort offers three journey types for guests to choose from based on their desired experience. The Open Way journey focuses on balancing activity and rest, combining community engagement with personal time. The Still Way journey emphasizes relaxation, helping guests slow down and rejuvenate physically and mentally. Meanwhile, the Wild Way journey is suitable for guests who enjoy exploration, physical activity, and nature experiences.

Activities are integrated into the all-inclusive retreat program, which includes three meals daily at the Origin restaurant. This dining venue utilizes local ingredients such as native herbs, stream fish, and seasonal produce, helping to recreate the distinct flavors of central Vietnamese cuisine.

"Sustainability and holistic wellbeing always go hand in hand. At Auko, we aim for a regenerative retreat model that places wellbeing at the core of all activities, for this land and for the travelers who stop here," stated Michelle Ford, founder of Lumina Wellbeing, Auko's operating management company.

Each lodge is equipped with a bed, outdoor bathtub, and minibar with snacks. *Photo: Auko*

Additionally, drawing inspiration from the indigenous knowledge of the Cham people, the wellness approach here utilizes natural elements such as mineral clay, herbs, water sources, and the environment's circadian rhythms. The resort's core is Lumina Wellbeing, which develops relaxing experiences within Phong Nha's natural setting, combining indigenous elements with healthcare therapies to promote balance between body, mind, and living environment.

Experiences here are designed to connect with nature, including hydrotherapy combined with Rhassoul mud baths, rain forest-mimicking showers, and cold plunge pools amidst the limestone mountains. Activities also include sound bathing with specialized instruments, body movement in sync with natural rhythms, and tranquil spaces such as open forest floors, river docks, or private meditation areas. All are arranged to enhance the connection between humans and the natural environment.

Guests experience sound bathing with a gong. *Photo: Auko*

In addition to daily activities, Auko creates wellness schedules based on natural cycles, featuring seasonal rituals such as full moons, harvests, or welcoming rain. The program is regularly updated, incorporating guest wellness experts and curated retreat courses to diversify experiences.

The space is also suitable for corporate team building activities or intensive retreat courses, leveraging the natural setting to combine relaxation, wellness, and experiential activities.

At Auko, each guest is like a "Wayfinder"—someone who actively chooses their journey based on personal feelings, intuition, and a desire for a complete experience. *Photo: Auko*Guests can reach Auko through various transportation options. From Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) or Ha Noi, travelers can fly to Dong Hoi, then travel by oto for about one hour. Another option is to fly to Hue and then take a private car for approximately three hours. For rail travel, guests can take a train from Ha Noi or Da Nang to Dong Hoi station, then continue by oto.Additionally, the road journey from Da Nang to Auko takes about 5 hours by car, or adventurous travelers can travel by moto from Ha Noi, combining it with stops along the way in Vinh or the Cua Lo beach area.The Dan

At Auko, each guest is like a "Wayfinder"—someone who actively chooses their journey based on personal feelings, intuition, and a desire for a complete experience. *Photo: Auko*

Guests can reach Auko through various transportation options. From Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) or Ha Noi, travelers can fly to Dong Hoi, then travel by oto for about one hour. Another option is to fly to Hue and then take a private car for approximately three hours. For rail travel, guests can take a train from Ha Noi or Da Nang to Dong Hoi station, then continue by oto.

Additionally, the road journey from Da Nang to Auko takes about 5 hours by car, or adventurous travelers can travel by moto from Ha Noi, combining it with stops along the way in Vinh or the Cua Lo beach area.

The Dan