Welcome to Topas Riverside Lodge
Located deep in the Sapa valley, in the heart of the mountains, Topas Riverside Lodge offers overnight stays within a traditional minority village, making for a truly authentic cultural experience. Tucked away amidst winding rivers and a verdant-green forest, you will discover how the Red Dzao community continues to live the same way they have for centuries.
This part of the valley is an undiscovered treasure that to this day sees little in the way of tourism. Here, you can discover the authentic Vietnam beyond the well-trodden tourist paths of Sapa town, and enjoy the friendliness and hospitality of the local community.
As you walk or hike around Sapa’s mountains, you will meet the locals and watch the children paddle in the river right next to your lodge.
Topas Riverside Lodge aims to provide a unique experience, allowing guests to settle in to an environment, inspired by native traditions and lifestyle, while providing a comfortable and modernized accommodation to welcome you home after a long day of exploring. Come and find a plethora of options for outdoor adventures and cultural insights, right at your doorstep.
At this time, pets are not allowed at Topas Riverside Lodge. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Our Story
The original lodge was built in 2013 by one of Nam Cang’s oldest Red Dzao minority families who have lived in the village for four generations. Prior to building the lodge, the family worked in agriculture and woodwork. Then, when Sapa’s tourism scene emerged, the family partnered with Topas to accommodate guests from all over the world, sharing lovingly prepared meals and authentic interactions.
Since 2019, the lodge is now fully owned and operated by Topas Explorer Group, incorporating all of these original aspects with modern updates to the facilities and excursions.
The Space
Our 14 cozy rooms may be small but offer all you need in terms of comfort and convenience. The rooms are furnished with comfortable bedding, mosquito nets, a luggage rack and space to hang your clothes, as well as air-conditioning and heating, while the bathrooms have all toiletries, a hot water rain-shower, and hair dryer.
Four of the rooms include magnificent views of the river, while two pairs of family rooms in the back of the lodge can interconnect to give those who need it, more space. Complimentary wi-fi is accessible in the entire lodge.
Rates and Offers
From best available nightly rates and full lodge bookings to all-inclusive wellness retreats and meticulously planned packages, we have it all. Click below to view!
Village Dining
The cuisine at Topas Riverside Lodge is noteworthy for using an impressive ratio of 80% plant-based and 20% protein based at every meal. All ingredients are locally sourced, whether from our own gardens or the nearby surrounding villages as part of our promise to support and uplift our neighbors and communities.
The Area
What do you know about Nam Cang? This sleepy little commune’s winding village roads are usually filled with children playing, dogs sunbathing, and ducks quacking as they cross the road.
Our Lodge Manager
Our lodge manager Christian hails from Denmark where he first trained at the 5 star Ruths Hotel. His resume includes Spanish, French and Nordic cuisines, plus organic farm-to-table. Since 2019 he has been creating dishes at both Topas Ecolodge and Topas Riverside Lodge, leading the kitchen, managing the seasonal organic gardens, and working with farmers nearby who raise free-range pigs and chickens to ensure the kitchens have the very best of locally available produce.
“I love being a chef and lodge manager in Vietnam’s most remote mountains. Previously, I lived in Saigon, a city with over 10 million people. Being here in the mountains takes me back to my roots and helps me be at one with nature. Here, I can follow the process of all my ingredients, literally from seed to harvest, from egg to full grown chicken. Having this privilege gives one much more respect for each ingredient and challenges you to use every bit of it.” – Christian Milling