Our team

Our team

People are such an important part of the travel experience, and at Topas Riverside Lodge we pride ourselves on treating each guest like a member of our own family. Get to know our team by browsing their introductions below. 

Christian Milling

Christian Milling

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 are stocked with the very best 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.

Hai

Hai, our guest relations manager at Topas Riverside Lodge and English-speaking tour guide, started working with us in 2003 as a member of the stone-cutting team from Ninh Binh that turned Topas Ecolodge from a dream into reality! 

Hai

Hai

Kien

Hiking

Kien

Originally from Yen Bai, a destination halfway between Hanoi and Sapa, Kien first started working for Topas Travel in 2008. 

After nearly 10 years working as a tour guide and traveling throughout Vietnam, Kien was promoted to Topas Travel’s product and project manager.  

“I love my job because it allows me to focus on many different tasks, from arranging marathon events and researching new running trails to developing new tour experiences and organizing charity projects.” – Kien.

Tinh

As head chef, Tinh prides herself on sharing her love of food and cooking with all guests who stay at Topas Riverside Lodge. She’s pictured here in our organic garden harvesting a fresh batch of fragrant mustard. 

Our Running Guides

Huong

Hương Run Guide

Huong

Hailing from Ta Van village, Huong started out as a Sapa trekking guide in 2012, before falling in love with trail running in 2019. Huong’s passion is such that she came 5th in the 2020 VMM 42km race, her first ever marathon event!  

Huong loves running for the health benefits it brings as well as for the freedom of running through the beautiful landscapes and peaceful villages that are just waiting to be explored. 

“I’m very happy to run with you on Sapa’s beautiful trails, sharing my knowledge of ethnic minority cultures and local stories along the way!” – Huong 

Hau Ha

Hau Ha started running when she attended high school in a small town south of Lao Cai. At that time, she was crowned champion of three different short 3km races. After attending tourism college, she worked for a travel agency in Sapa as a tour guide, before opening her own trekking gear shop. 

In 2020, she decided to start running again, this time trying out longer distances. She finished in first place in a number of races, including the VMM 21km, Lao Cai Newspapers 5km Run, 11.5km Fansipan Mountain Race, Lao Than Mountain Marathon, and Sapa 6km trail run.  

“I love running because there is nothing more exciting than discovering a new route, meeting new people and enjoying my life in nature. You don’t need anything except a pair of shoes and your own two feet.”- Hau Ha 

Hau Ha

Hau 3

Linh Giang

Ling Giang 1

Linh Giang

Linh Giang has been a trekking guide for over 10 years, showing guests the most beautiful routes around Sapa.  

Discovering her love of running in the spring of 2020, she soon developed a passion for running longer distances, challenging herself to run as far as 50km!  

Her best result so far is taking second place in the VMM 2020 21km. She also finished 2nd in the Mt. Fansipan Marathon 11.5km event and Lao Than Mountain Marathon.  

“When COVID-19 hit, I missed my job so much as I no longer had any clients. Running provided an outlet for me which I am so pleased to be able to share with others!”- Linh Giang 

Mai

Mai first discovered her passion for running in 2014 while studying at Sapa O’Chau, where she learned about tourism and guiding treks.  

She has participated in a number of Vietnam Trail Series events, most notably the VMM 42km in 2019, coming in 8th place, and the VMM 10km in 2020, where she placed 5th.  

“I keep running every day as it is a great sport and good for health.” – Mai 

Mai