The resort was also the only Vietnamese representative to feature on the list.

“Nested amid the peaks, the lodge offers unobstructed vistas of nature’s grandeur from bungalows that are crafted from local materials and traditional elements with a Scandinavian touch,” says National Geographic.

According to the website, besides breathtaking natural beauty, Topas Ecolodge minimises its environmental footprint through eco-heated pools, a stretch of wetland constructed specifically for wastewater filtration with the minimal use of single-use plastics.

Opening in 2005 on a mountaintop far from the emerging tourist hub of Sa Pa Town, Topas Ecolodge offers its guests a rare experience of culture, as there are five different native tribes in the region who have distinctive languages and lifestyles.

Earlier, Topas Ecolodge was also named among the list of unique lodges around the world by National Geographic. The website also put the resort top of its list of “21 places to stay if you care about the planet”.

VOV