Yoga in Vietnam: Classes, Retreats and Teacher Training
Yoga in Vietnam is taught both as regular city classes and as residential retreats. This guide covers where classical yoga is taught in the country, what a class consists of, how a residential stay differs from attending classes, and what teacher training involves.
It is written from the perspective of one tradition — Sivananda Yoga, taught in Vietnam at an ashram near Da Lat and at centres in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat and Hanoi. The practical sections apply more widely; the descriptions of class structure are specific to this system.
Where yoga is taught in Vietnam
Two settings account for most practice available to visitors and residents.
City centres run open classes on a schedule. Students attend, practise, and leave. This suits residents building a regular practice, and visitors staying in a city for a short time.
Residential ashram programmes work differently. Rather than booking a room and arranging your own time, a resident joins a fixed daily schedule that includes two practice sessions, vegetarian meals, and morning and evening gatherings. Stays run from a couple of days to several weeks.
The four locations
Sivananda Yoga Resort and Training Center — Da Lat
The ashram, on Tuyen Lam Lake in the highlands. This is where residential retreats and teacher training courses are held.
- Address: Hoa Hong Street, Tuyen Lam Lake, Xuan Huong Ward, Da Lat, Lam Dong Province
- Phone: (+84) 263 650 1100
- Email: [email protected]
- Opening hours: 7:30am – 7:30pm
- View on Google Maps
Da Lat sits at roughly 1,500 metres and stays temperate year round, which is the practical reason the residential programmes are based here rather than on the coast. Details are on the Da Lat Ashram & Health House page.
Sivananda Yoga Center — Ho Chi Minh City
Open classes in the city, in a building with an outdoor practice area.
- Address: 147/8 Nguyễn Đình Chính, Ward 11, Phú Nhuận District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Phone: (+84) 987 805 427
See the Ho Chi Minh City centre page for the class schedule.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dalat Center — Da Lat city
Separate from the lakeside ashram: a city location for regular classes, for residents of Da Lat rather than for residential stays.
- Address: B2-11 Khu Quy Hoạch Golf Valley, Phường 2, Da Lat, Lam Dong Province
- Phone: (+84) 263 650 1900
Details on the Da Lat centre page.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center — Hanoi
Classes and workshops in Hanoi, following the same sequence taught at the other locations. Current schedule and contact details are on the Hanoi centre page.
What a class consists of
An open class runs about ninety minutes and follows the same order at every location. The sequence does not change between classes, teachers, or centres.
1. Initial relaxation — Lying in Savasana. Classes open with a short chant; joining in is optional.
2. Pranayama — Seated breathing practices, before the postures rather than after.
3. Sun Salutations — Surya Namaskar, repeated several times as a warm-up.
4. Leg raises — Preparation for the inverted postures.
5. The 12 basic postures — A fixed sequence, each posture held and followed by a short rest.
6. Final relaxation — A longer guided relaxation closing the class.
Every posture has variations taught for beginners, and those variations are the expected form for a new student. The full sequence is described in the beginner's guide.
Retreats compared with regular classes
The difference is not the length of the practice but how much of the system is included.
- An open class covers the postures, the breathing practices and the final relaxation — three of the five points the system is built on.
- A residential stay adds the other two: the vegetarian diet, and the meditation and study sessions held morning and evening. It also means two practice sessions a day rather than one.
Programmes and dates are listed on the Yoga Vacation page, with accommodation options on the Accommodations page. Current dates and fees are on Upcoming Courses — they vary by programme and season, which is why they are not reproduced here.
Teacher training in Vietnam
The 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTT / TTC) is a residential course held at the Da Lat ashram, certified as Yoga Alliance RYS 200. It follows the format Swami Vishnudevananda established in 1969 with the first teacher training course held in the West.
The course does not require teaching experience, and accepts students who came to the system as beginners. Curriculum, dates and what is included are on the Yoga Teacher Training Course page.
Beyond the 200-hour course, the ashram also runs an advanced teacher training course, Sadhana Intensive, and health educator training.
Practical information for visitors
Getting to the Da Lat ashram
- From Lien Khuong Airport (DLI): about 45 minutes by road. Airport pick-up can be arranged on request.
- From Ho Chi Minh City: about 300 km — by air to Lien Khuong, or overnight sleeper bus.
- From Nha Trang / Cam Ranh: about 135 km by road.
- From Da Nang: about 660 km; flying is the practical option.
Climate
Da Lat is temperate year round, with daytime temperatures generally in the high teens to low twenties Celsius. Layers and a light jacket are usual for early mornings and evenings — a point that surprises visitors who have only experienced the Vietnamese lowlands.
What to bring
Clothing that allows free movement and stays in place during inverted postures, a mat if you have one, and a blanket or shawl for the final relaxation. Practice is barefoot. Classes are normally attended two to three hours after a main meal. Further detail is on the Guest Information and During Your Stay pages.
Visas
Visa requirements change and are set by the Vietnamese government, not by the ashram. Check the official e-visa portal for current rules before booking travel. The FAQ covers the questions most often asked about stays.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to join a class in Vietnam?
No. Open classes are taught with variations for every posture, and beginners' classes assume no previous experience.
Are classes taught in English or Vietnamese?
Both languages are used across the locations, and the centres receive international visitors and local residents. Contact the centre you plan to attend to confirm the language of a specific class.
Is there a minimum stay for a retreat?
Programme lengths vary, from short stays to multi-week courses. Current options are listed on the Yoga Vacation and Upcoming Courses pages.
Are meals vegetarian?
Meals served at the ashram are vegetarian; proper diet is one of the five points of the system. Attending a city class carries no dietary requirement.
What should I tell the teacher before a first class?
Any injury, high or low blood pressure, pregnancy, neck or back condition, glaucoma, or recent surgery, so that postures can be adjusted or substituted. This guide is general information and not medical advice.
Practising in Vietnam
Open classes at the three centres, and residential programmes at the Da Lat ashram. No previous experience required.
Further reading: Yoga for beginners · Yoga Vacation · The Five Points of Yoga · Our venues · About us
Sivananda Yoga Vietnam