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Sustainability
At Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat, we believe that true retreat is a harmonious connection between people, nature, and local culture. Guided by this belief, we are committed to preserving the authentic beauty of the Tràng An heritage core zone – striving for a greener, more sustainable future, with people and the planet at the heart of everything we do.
Jiva’s sustainability efforts are grounded in the four pillars recommended by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): Purposeful Stewardship, Empowered Local Lives, Living Cultural Heritage, and Harmony with Nature.
Our journey toward sustainability is a collective effort – embraced and supported by every member of the Jiva team – with a shared purpose of safeguarding a more beautiful world for generations to come.
Purposeful Stewardship
Our sustainability efforts are not just promises; they are embedded in our daily operations and tracked with care.
We monitor electricity and water usage across the entire property, with pressure regulated at 2.2–2.5 kg/cm2 to prevent water waste.
100% of greywater (approximately 30m3 per day) is captured, treated, and recycled on-site to irrigate over 2 hectares of gardens - using zero new freshwater for landscaping.
Solar energy saves us approximately 36,000 kWh per month, with 79 solar-powered lampposts illuminating all internal pathways and saving an estimated 569 kWh/month.
We follow a strict waste separation policy (landfill, paper, glass/metal, compost) and compost all organic waste from our kitchen and gardens.
Our Sustainability Champion, Mr. Daniel, leads the Green Team that includes representatives from each department. Sustainability is written into our Standard Operating Procedures, and every department contributes to these efforts, from eco-conscious spa partners to housekeeping’s linen change system.
Empowered Local Lives
Every experience here generates income for the people of this land, not just a memory for guests.
Jiva is built by and for the local community. Over 80% of our staff are Ninh Bình residents, and we prioritize local hiring for every role - from entry-level to leadership.
We collaborate directly with neighboring farmers in Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, and Nghệ An to source our produce, herbs, poultry, and fish, all delivered fresh without intermediaries.
Our culinary team grows herbs and fruits on-site: Vietnamese basil, guava, custard apple, passionfruit, and more.
Even our distilled liquor is sourced from a nearby family distillery in Kim Sơn, introduced by one of our staff.
We also partner with craftspeople, performers, and community members to create enriching experiences available seasonally (hát xẩm, traditional embroidery, tea meditation, sampan boat rides). In the past 6 months alone, Jiva has contributed ₫12,650,000 directly to local artists through cultural collaborations, performances, and workshops.
Living Cultural Heritage
We don’t showcase heritage from a distance. We live beside it, protect it, and invite guests to engage with it - respectfully and meaningfully.
We have restored four original antique wooden houses from Ninh Bình, preserving their architectural integrity and cultural soul.
We contribute a portion of our onsite activities (e.g., Heritage Walk) proceeds to the upkeep of neighboring sacred sites like Thai Vi Temple and Đền Cửa Quan.
Cultural rituals are woven into the guest experience: tea ceremonies, Xẩm performances, and guided visits led by local storytellers.
Harmony with Nature
Nature thrives here not because we designed it, but because we let it breathe.
100% of our greywater is reused for irrigation after on-site treatment.
We have eliminated single-use plastic in guest amenities, and continue to replace more items in F&B and housekeeping.
We use solar power for lighting and staff quarters, and are expanding its use across common areas.
Guests are encouraged to walk or use bicycles. For short distances, we provide electric buggies instead of combustion vehicles.
Our gardens, spanning more than 2 hectares, feature over 70 species of native and traditional fruit trees, and support biodiversity by design: frogs, egrets, and whistling ducks now call our grounds home
We also minimize televisions in rooms (unless requested), encouraging guests to embrace digital detox and reconnect with the natural rhythms of Tam Cốc.