Hey nature lovers! Are you looking for an escape from the beaten path and a chance to truly immerse yourselves in Vietnam's stunning countryside? Look no further than Nguyen Shack Retreat! Imagine waking up in our comfy, light-filled cabins. Sunlight streams through large windows, revealing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Step outside onto your private balcony and breathe in the fresh air. After a day of exploring the wonders of Phong Nha National Park, take a refreshing dip in our massive 40m long boat-shaped swimming pool ! Nguyen Shack is more than just a place to sleep; it's a nature retreat designed to nourish your soul. Disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with yourselves in the vibrant flora and fauna that flourishes around you, allowing the tranquility of nature to wash over you and leave you feeling rejuvenated. mbrace the beauty of Vietnam's countryside? Book your escape at Nguyen Shack today!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
A wonderful restful place to relax at, particularly after spending the day/days hiking the caves in this area. The first thing we noticed was the warm welcome and the attentiveness of all the employees when we arrived. Tu in particular was so helpful, arranging rides for us, and ensuring we were kept comfy and well fed. The lodges are all very well kept, the beds are comfy and the views of the lake from the balconies at the individual lodges are wonderful. This place is expensive for the area but well worth it - we spent $300 Cdn for 3 nights for our room, and all meals, water and alcohol - we were there over New Years, so still great value.
I’d recommend comparing the rates on Agoda vs booking directly because we found the Agoda rate to be cheaper. The food was alright, although the spring rolls and caramelized catfish were excellent (we were also a bit spoiled coming here from Hanoi). I would also try their fruit infused spirits and the wine from the Da Lat region. We will be back and we’ll stay here again.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's a great concept and we stayed for 4 nights in one of the larger lodges. Super views onto the lake. Good menu for breakfast and lunches/dinners. The pool, over looking the lake also is lovely and refreshing after slogging round the caves in the heat.
Staff super attentive and nothing too much trouble...bookings, rebooting and drinks and snacks.
Eco lodges are that. Rustic and interestingly (in a good way) put together. Air con great and mozzie nets on beds... needed but not for mozzies.
Shower and bathroom more than adequate.
I would stay again but I would also urge the owners to place rubbish away from the kitchens and pathways. Over the 4 days the pile got bigger and smelled. No need to have that in view on such a big site.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
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When we visited it was very quiet and our host was very helpful and accommodating. We were upgraded to a hut/shack overlooking the lake that had stunning views from the upstairs veranda. We booked our tour through them and they were really helpful. To make this an even better place to stay it would be good if rubbish were cleared quickly- there was a rubbish bag near our door for our whole stay (not only is it unsightly but may attract unwanted critters). It would also be good for the wood on the inside and outside of the huts to be treated to prevent any pests.
Overall a good stay here with friendly staff.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nguyen Shack, Owner at Nguyen Shack Retreat
Responded Jul 9, 2024
Thank you for your review. I am glad to read to you liked your overall experience with us. We appreciate you mentioning the rubbish issue. We've taken steps to address this by bringing in a new team with a strong focus on cleanliness. Additionally, we've completed major renovations to ensure a more comfortable and enjoyable stay for all our future guests. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The resort is isolated; lost between rice paddies, mountains, and a lake. That means it is perfect if you are looking for peace and intimacy, but it also means there is no option at walkable distance for food or pharmacy or party.
There is a restaurant onsite. The menu and prices seem to have changed since the pandemic. We were not impressed by the size of the breakfast plates, nor the price of beer, but the dinner we had was good, a big portion, and reasonably priced.
There is a huge pool shaped like a sailboat. The water was not the cleanest I have seen in my life, but it was clean enough. If I had kids, I would let them play in the water without being worried. We enjoyed cooling down there after a long day of cave hunting and moppet riding under the sun.
We took the bicycles and went to town to buy stuff and to find food. Getting to town on a bicycle takes about 15 minutes (don't take the highway), and the views on the road are impressive. The bikes looked like they had not been used in a while, but the pool guy cleaned them up and inflated the tires for us between our two outings.
The staff was welcoming and helpful. They helped us with our bags. They lended us a motorbike which was in good shape. They booked the bus tickets for our next destination, and organized the transport to get to the bus station. They were flexible with the check-out time.
The room we had (#104) was one of the 2 floors concrete cottages with the big windows. The floors were a little dusty when we arrived, but someone came to clean the room mid-stay and everything was fine after that. The bed was comfortable. The bathroom was clean and the shower pressure and water heater worked well. The A/C and ceiling fans worked well. The Wifi worked well. There was a nice little indoor living room, and a big outdoor patio / lounge upstairs. The view from inside and outside was fantastic.
Phong Nha is a nice little village, and the caves and mountains are worth the detour. I recommend staying at Nguyen Shack if you are looking for a unique experience in a very special location, but you should be prepared to take a bike or a scooter if you want to visit the attractions in the area.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The best place to relax yourself with nature. Deep inside the local village, this place is for those who want to stay away from the noise of traffic and city. The room is clean and affordable The staff is friendly and made me feel likes their family member, special thanks to Trang receptionist who helped us a lot for laundry service, transportation arrangement and especially the medicine she gave me when I told her my throat is hurt, it help me a lot! We also could not forget many tasty dishes that Ms. Huyen and Ms. Lan made for us. Only downer is that the transportation service of this place, we know the price is quite higher than normal but we accepted it because we understand the location issue, but the driver of the resort is seem not professional tho, we booked the car at 20:00 but being delayed until 20:30 with many reminder calls from the team. Not to mention the car is old and broke and the driver who just left a drinking party unfortunately. Overall we love our time here and We will definitely choose this place if we comeback to Phong Nha again! See you soon guys!
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Transportation need to be arranged in advance
No wifi in the room
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I assume that a stay in this place in the warm season can be nicer than the one we have had in December. Our bungalow was humid and the bathroom, without window or ventilation stayed wet and dirty all day after a shower. Hot water in the shower was limited and difficult to obtain sometimes. There is no wifi at the bungalows, only at reception and dining areas. The staff is very kind, but not professional: we hired a guided tour to Paradise Cave through them and the previous afternoon they informed us that the guide would not be available for the next couple of days for personal reasons, but didn't offer any alternative, only apologized. If you arrive early in the afternoon, there is no staff to help you, so better remember the name of your bungalow and try to find the key by yourself. The food wasn't good either and it is 2,3km from Son Trac (Phong Nha) village, so consider paying a taxi each time you want to have dinner outside if you do not fancy driving a motorbike in the dark through muddy paths at night. They overcharge if you book a taxi through them. Even the price they charged us for a transfer from DongHoi tren station was more expensive than the one disclosed on their website. They advertise themselves as "eco resort", but the only trace of eco you will find here is sleeping with frog singing as a lullaby. The lake in front of them is artificial, seems more like a dam to water the adjacent rice fields. I wouldn't recommend this place.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Location
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nguyen Shack, Owner at Nguyen Shack Retreat
Responded Jul 9, 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate you sharing your experience at our resort in January. While Vietnam's weather can be delightful year-round, January can bring cooler temperatures (between 15-25 degrees Celsius), which can feel even cooler with humidity. However, we've taken significant steps to enhance your comfort since your visit. Here's what's new: - Resort Refresh: We've completed renovations for a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere. - Exceptional Staff: We've hired a new team dedicated to providing excellent service. - Owner's Touch: We've returned to manage the resort in person, ensuring consistency and quality. We're confident you'll enjoy: - Warm Hospitality: A welcoming environment that prioritizes guest satisfaction. - Delicious Dining: Extensive menu with affordable, on-site dining options. - Competitive Transportation: Rates aligned with the local area. - Complimentary Yoga: Free yoga classes for all guests. We'd love to show you the transformed experience we offer. Consider giving us a second chance, and discover our resort through a new lens!
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Absolutely magical. There aren't enough words to describe how remarkable this place is. The modern and ethnic interior decor of the bungalows feels like from a movie and makes you feel truly special. Not to mention the amazing feeling of the sunlight which wakes you up through the big windows in the morning. After a few months of traveling, staying at Nguyen Shack felt like an ultimate retreat. The staff is beyond friendly - they treat you like queens and kings always helpful and smiling. The food is fresh and flavorful, the nature around is breathtaking. It's just perfect. If I have a chance to go back to Vietnam, I'm definitely staying in Nguyen Shack. And for sure longer than the first time.
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Date of stay: October 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nguyen Shack was definitely the best place to stay in Phong Nha! You’re just in the middle of this beautiful nature and landscape. We got a great room from where we had a wonderful view on the lake and mountains in front of the hotel. Everything was so well done and comfy - we even stayed half a day at our balcony to relax and absorb this tranquility of the place. The food at the restaurant was very delicious and the staff super friendly and helpful with any issue we had during our stay. I’d love to go back one day!!
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We actually traveled here on the first day of Tet and were fearful of not getting any food. Pleasant to find out the place is ran by young ladies from the area, quite capable, friendly, helpful and plenty of good food from the kitchen. Little piglet and her best friend the duck run around the resort, along with a couple of puppies entertain the hotel guests.
But I find most outstanding about the place is the absent young woman who is the owner of this place. Employees have nothing but praise and gratitude as she built this place after three other locations, having improved the lives of the people who live in ostensibly the poorest part of Vietnam, by hiring the locals and buying their products. What a risk she took, I hope her rewards will be handsome.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Staying at Nguyen Shack and seeing the sights withi Phong Nha was easily the highlight of my trip to Vietnam. The staff here are incredibly helpful, thoughtful and caring about their guests. You feel like you're staying at a boutique resort. They have excellent English and can offer you many options for tours and adventures in the area. I highly recommend the overnight cave trekking experience, visiting Hang En was by far the coolest thing I have done in my life. In addition to this, the rooms at the resort are wonderful! Get the proper room with balcony so you can spend your downtime in the afternoons or evenings lounging on the outdoor daybed on the lake. It's calm and peaceful and lovely. The restaurant here was great, had lots of tasty options and within a good price. Thank you to the staff for being such gracious hosts, you made my trip :) Don't hesitate, book now!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Any room on the lake is perfect, if you can afford it book these instead of the smaller triangle...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Phong Nha area.
PRICE RANGE
$13 - $25 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
VietnamQuang Binh ProvincePhong Nha
NUMBER OF ROOMS
26
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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