Panhou Retreat

My first visit to Panhou was before the COVID-19 pandemic. After many years, I decided to return to see if it still retained the same feeling as before. The road leading to the resort was familiar, the suspension bridge was still there, the green trees were still there, and the stream was still clear. Some things were newer, just like in my memories. But everything felt more genuine and vibrant than if it were meticulously styled just for photos. The staff were still very friendly and approachable; their conversation still made me feel welcomed, like an old friend returning. That's something increasingly rare in many tourist destinations these days. If I had to find something imperfect, it would be that some facilities showed signs of wear and tear over time. But honestly, that wasn't what I was looking for when I returned. Leaving Panhou for the second time felt more like saying goodbye to an old friend than checking out of a resort. I think that's the biggest reason why this place still holds a special place in my travel itineraries.

What I appreciated was the relatively secluded atmosphere. Even though the resort had guests, it didn't feel crowded or noisy.

My family went on a trip without any specific itinerary. While in Dong Van, we wanted to enjoy a hot spring bath and searched on Google. Luckily, we found Panhou and came here to relax and unwind in the natural hot springs. There were many interesting stories about the local people and their culture. Oh, and we even got to pick tea leaves, which was very enjoyable.

The room was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the air was very fresh. However, the soundproofing wasn't very good; you could hear guests walking around outside early in the morning. On the other hand, the scenery was beautiful and the grounds were very well maintained.