Meditation & Yoga Retreats in Vietnam

Vietnam is the home of Engaged Buddhism, the lineage of the late Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. The original Plum Village monastery has its Vietnamese mother community at From Pagoda (Hue) and other monastic centers, with practice continuing in his Plum Village tradition. The Hue region of central Vietnam is the country's ancient Buddhist heartland — many monasteries are open to Western retreatants for short residential stays. The Mekong Delta and the Central Highlands also host Theravada and Mahayana centers. Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City have growing yoga retreat scenes targeting Western visitors, often combining yoga with Vietnamese cooking, language, and cultural elements. Northern Vietnam (Sapa, Mai Châu) offers mountain yoga retreats in ethnic minority villages. English is widely spoken at international retreat centers; Vietnamese vegetarian food is excellent. October–March is the comfortable retreat season for the south and center; the north has cooler winters. Most Western passports get e-visa or visa-free access. Cost: $500–$1,500 for a week.