Buzz
First-time overnight stay in a tent amidst the mountains, rivers, and skies brings forth unfamiliar yet delightful and serene feelings. The quiet night with the dim moon resembling a small ball hanging high becomes a dreamy image, accompanied by the soothing sound of the stream lulling into a peaceful and comfortable sleep, amidst the simple fragrance of the forest.
Occasionally, try leaving behind the noise, dust, and hustle of the city, seek a place to immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of land, sky, trees, and rivers to enjoy a life of utmost tranquility and beauty!
Sunlit days by the stream and in the beautiful forest
1. Seeking the 'Ideal Tent'
If you intend to experience overnight camping and are not a professional camper, I suggest choosing campsites with 'glamping' services. In simple terms, the tent and accompanying amenities like games, food, drinks, sanitation, etc., are all pre-arranged; you just need to arrive and use them. Around Hanoi, there are quite a few such tourist areas in Ba Vi, Soc Son, etc. However, considering both the natural scenery and service quality, Mojen’s Camp & Retreat in Thai Nguyen is probably the top destination at the moment.
Cost of booking a tent for 2 days 1 night:
In essence, this cost is equivalent to a 4-star hotel room, but considering the food and accompanying services, it is reasonable and worth experiencing to understand how sleeping in a 'thousand-star hotel' feels.
Each tent area is a separate space
The route to Mojen is quite easy. According to the map, it will take about 2 hours by car from the center of Hanoi. Follow the Nhật Tân Bridge, take the Nội Bài - Hạ Long expressway, then turn at the intersection of the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen expressway. Continue on the expressway to the 266 provincial road, Revolutionary Road October 10, turn onto the road to Tây Trúc Pagoda, and at the intersection, go straight to the pagoda. You can use Google Maps for accurate directions.
Upon arrival, beside and opposite Mojen's entrance, there is a tea plantation, providing a perfect backdrop for those who love taking photos. After checking in, you will be guided to your tent area. The pathway is beautifully crafted with stone steps and surrounded by lush trees. The most impressive feature is that each tent area is discreetly enclosed with a fence made of trees, ensuring private space for each 'home.' Each unit has a pre-set camping tent on a wooden platform (fully equipped with two spacious and comfortable sleeping mats, blankets, pillows, a wooden box for personal items, lights, carpets, shelves, etc.), a wooden table and chairs, and an outdoor BBQ grill (assisted by camp staff to light the fire). All tents are situated alongside the stream and under the cool forest canopy, with a private path leading directly from the tent to the stream. The overall tent area has a very chill vibe, and just one look is enough to capture your heart! The sunlight filters through the branches, the sound of the stream is soothingly close, and with just a few steps down, you're by the stream with the sound of birds and fluttering butterflies – it feels like a tent from a fairy tale.
Private path leading down to the stream for each tent
Inside the tent with charming amenities
2. Exciting experiences amidst nature
Leisurely play in the stream
One of the uniquely enjoyable aspects of outdoor excursions is immersing oneself in nature, savoring the beauty of the land and sky. If the camping site is near the stream, it undoubtedly brings moments of extreme relaxation. At Mojen, you can easily indulge in the cool and refreshing stream, suitable for the whole family to explore, including the little ones. Of course, keep a watchful eye on the kids to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip!
Enjoy the cool and refreshing stream
The stream at Mojen is quite long, with sections forming small natural pools, some areas covered with stones where you can cross or sit and arrange the stones. Water flows from the mountain source, and during the rainy season, the water level may rise, but it's not too deep. We visited at the end of October, by then, the stream had reduced a bit, allowing for comfortable water play or a leisurely walk along the stream.
Explore the stream by descending the trail at each tent and marvel at the banks. October is also the season of butterflies, and you will easily spot colorful flocks of butterflies fluttering around the stream. The butterflies are quite friendly and may fly close by, so if you're lucky, you can capture or take pictures with butterflies swirling around, reminiscent of Princess Huan Zhu in the masterpiece 'The Legend of Hua Mulan.'
Hike to explore the stream
There are quite a few things you can experience with the stream beyond just wading and bathing. You can bring some fruits and drinks, then chill them in the cool, refreshing water, maintaining their freshness and enhancing the flavor for a more enjoyable indulgence.
Fruits and drinks naturally chilled by the cool stream water
Prepare a tea kettle and a couple of cups, set up a chair in the middle of the stream, and leisurely enjoy a cup of hot, aromatic tea. You can also try your hand at the art of arranging stones, simply stacking large and small rocks on top of each other to see how high you can build. Or, in the most peaceful way, just sit silently on a rock, listen to the soothing sound of the stream, feel the cool breeze, squint your eyes against the warm autumn sun, let your feet lightly touch the constantly flowing water,... All of these experiences bring a sense of purity, tranquility, and 'healing' to the soul, alleviating the everyday fatigue.
Artfully stack the stones high
Admire and listen to the 'super mini' waterfall, the soothing sound pleasing to the ears
Ignite the campfire!
Once you've gone camping, you can't skip building a fire for a BBQ. Sitting around a large woodpile, waiting for the flames to roar and grilling a few main dishes is the warmest and happiest feeling, happiness from the stomach to the spirit. At Mojen, when you book an overnight tent, you'll also be treated to a BBQ dinner with pre-marinated/pre-prepared items: chicken, pork, potatoes, vegetables, condiments, and a dessert of fruits,... For a family of 2 adults and a 4-year-old, the food is quite sufficient, and you may consider bringing some sesame sauce for extra flavor.
The dancing warmth of the campfire
The barbecue station at Mojen for each tent is quite 'fancy', securely surrounded by rocks and equipped with all the necessary tools, from kitchen shelves, grilling trays to meat tongs,... Initially, you'll gather wood to start the fire, and when the wood turns to embers, you can begin grilling. Actually, if you use charcoal from the beginning, it will be much faster, but in the midst of this vast land, gathering wood and waiting for it to burn with the crackling sound of the fire is also a much-anticipated time. You can sit and chat while watching the flames rise high and dance in the wilderness.
Grilling and eating hot ensures a 'delicious' experience
With ample evening time, you can comfortably sunbathe your belongings and leisurely enjoy your meal. Play some music at a moderate volume to listen amidst the vast mountains and forests, making the meal more delicious and creating a cheerful atmosphere. After a hearty meal, you can stroll around or head to the nearby playground near the parking lot to participate in any group activities if available.
A good night's sleep at the 'thousand-star hotel'
Certainly, when you've booked Glamping services, the most important and anticipated experience is spending the night in a tent, amidst the vast mountains and the soothing sound of the stream. Before entering the tent, you can sit on the porch, contemplate a few stories, admire the moon and stars, inhale the fragrance of mountain grass, and immerse yourself in the quiet simplicity of nature.
Relaxing before bedtime
Sleeping in the tent, you'll still lie on a comfortable mattress, with a warm blanket and a vintage-style faux oil lamp. Locking the tent door, the interior space becomes cozy and somewhat mysterious, evoking childhood memories of playing under a fabric tent. For me, the experience of sleeping in a tent amidst nature is a way to 'repay the debt of childhood,' bringing to life the beautiful things that were once in memories.
Inside the tent, there's also air conditioning, so you don't have to worry about heat, stuffiness, or feeling cramped. The tent also features small mesh windows to allow air circulation while ensuring protection from flying insects.
Gazing at the sparkling moonlit sky from inside the tent
Ready for a good night's sleep amidst nature
Waking up in the morning, peeling back the curtain and sticking your head outside, you'll immediately see nature with its grass, flowers, and leaves, accompanied by the melodies of chirping birds and the soothing sound of flowing water, bringing a lot of positive energy to the start of the new day.
For breakfast, indulge in a bowl of instant noodles with shrimp and boiled eggs, freshly squeezed juice, fruits, and yogurt. After enjoying breakfast, you can leisurely stroll under the stream or wander around to immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings.
Morning exercises to kickstart the day
3. Some Notes
Indulge in unlimited fun with on-site amenities
Escaping the city for a night in the woods, under the stars and the soothing sound of the stream, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature to refresh your soul, you'll discover that life becomes truly flavorful and seems to be infused with an abundance of energy. The experience of camping in the midst of mountains, forests, and streams will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable emotions that will leave you in awe.
Author: Pham Thu Huyen
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program.
Mytour Golocal is a blog program introducing beautiful destinations across Vietnam as part of the Mytour Go & Share initiative. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local travel to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
