Welcome to Vietnam!

Dear yogis,

You have arrived. You are here in Vietnam! Well, soon. (-: Sarah and I are so excited to welcome you to our old stomping grounds for three nourishing weeks together. Below is a breakdown of the yoga teacher training and other important details to help bring ease into your planning. Please enjoy your breath as you read through the details.

Please note the following important links in this email:

1. Registration Form

2. E-books for the course

3. Virtual studio (use the coupon code YTT2024 for free access)

4. MS Word Homework Template

With ease and joy,
Hang & Sarah

Registration Form

To help us get to know you, kindly fill out this form well before arriving to Vietnam: Registration Form

YTT Modules

The training will be full and nourishing to make the best of our time together. It is divided into three modules.

Module 1 - “Understanding Yourself,” will be very rewarding and transformative as you learn more about yourself and deepen your yoga practice; physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

In Module 2 - “Understanding Your Yoga Practice,” we’ll focus on the yoga practice itself and incorporate the two modules together for a stronger you and a stronger practice.

In Module 3 - “The Art of Teaching” we’ll help you with the “how’s” and “what’s” to share your practice and experience with your students.

E-Books

There are four books we will be referring to at the training. Please download them (click on the links below) to use on your laptop/Kindle/iPad/iPhone or you might like to print them for your own use. If you do print them, we suggest leaving the printed books at home and using the e-books at the training to help you travel lightly. We will also provide you with a comprehensive 200-page manual at the training.

1) Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques by Mark Stephens. Please read Chapters 1 and 2 (about 20 pages) before the training begins.
2) The Illustrated Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar. Please read pages 1-34 before the training begins.
3) The Book of Ayurveda by Judith H. Morrison. Please read Part One before the training begins.
4) Peace is Every Breath by Thich Nhat Hanh. Please read the entire book before the training begins.

Virtual Studio

As preparation for the training, your YTT tuition includes 6-months access to our Virtual Studio. Click on the link below to sign up for our Virtual Studio and use the coupon code YTT2024 for free access. The 6-month access takes affects as soon as you sign up. We suggest that you sign up at least six months before the training date so you have an idea of our style of teaching and start your class assessment homework below.

YOUR HOMEWORK

As part of your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training homework, you are required to attend 12 yoga classes before you arrive to the Yoga Teacher Training. These classes can be in-person or virtual. We suggest attending eight of Hang and Sarah’s classes (in-person or virtual) so you are familiar with our styles of teaching and to study from a teacher’s perspective. The remaining four classes can be with other teachers.

Please use this MS Word Homework Template to keep a record of each yoga class and include:

• Teacher, date, class length, class type (vinyasa, yin, restorative, etc)

• 3 things you liked about the class

• 1 thing you would like to bring into your own practice

• 1 thing you would like to teach in your own teaching classes

Document each class well and right away so you don't forget. Send your completed records in ONE Word document to hello@saigonom.com with “YTT Homework" in the email subject heading. Please send in your observations at least two weeks before the training starts so we have time to read through it.

Please let us know if you need further clarifications or have questions.

Training Location

The training is held at Trip-Advisor award winning Full Moon Village Resort, on a secluded and private beach in Mui Ne, which is about a 3-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), formerly known as Saigon. A new freeway that opened up in March 2023 has made the trip faster and smoother. The closest and most convenient international airport to arrive to is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh City.

Bus Transfers

Included in your yoga teacher training package is a saigon om privately chartered return bus transfer to and from District 1, HCMC to the Full Moon Village Resort, Mui Ne. It is about a 3-hour bus ride. We will stop half way for a stretch and toilet break. With the unpredictability of what food may be available at the halfway stop, we suggest that you bring lunch/snacks with you on the bus.

Arriving at Full Moon Village Resort

We will arrive at Full Moon Village Resort in Mui Ne at around 1:30pm/2pm. Once you arrive at the resort, the resort staff will collect your passport upon check in (Vietnam has a law that requires guests to be registered with the local authorities) and return it to you shortly afterwards. They will also take you to your villa and deliver your luggage. Freshen up, relax, enjoy the pool/ocean and meet us at 4pm in the practice hall above the restaurant with your yoga mat and wearing your yoga practice clothes for a welcome circle and a short gentle yoga practice to stretch out after the bus ride. The mosquitoes usually come out at night so please remember to wear mosquito repellent. Dinner will be ready at 5:30pm.

Daily Schedule

This daily schedule is from Monday to Saturday. Sundays are your free days to rest and explore.

6am-7:30am: Lead yoga practice - this will change in module 2 and 3
7:30-8:30: Fruit, tea & coffee
8:30-10:30am: Yoga & mindfulness lecture
10:30-11:30am: Brunch
11:30am-2:30pm: Free time
2:30-4:30pm: Yoga anatomy, asana lab & teaching practicum
4:30-5:15pm: Gentle yoga or inversion practice
5:30pm: Dinner
* Free time after dinner

Free Days

Sundays are your free days i.e. no formal yoga teachings and your day off to rest and explore. You are free to relax, read, have a self-practice, or explore Mui Ne town on your own or with your fellow students. Mui Ne town is about 30 minutes from the resort. Please contact the resort staff for guided excursions and water sports, which are not included in your training.

Accommodation

You will be staying in a ensuite room by yourself in either a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom villa. You will share the villa with one or two other training participants. Each villa has a shared state-of-the art lounge room, kitchenette with a fridge, kettle, basic cooking ware & cutlery, and daily replenishment of instant coffee/tea & drinking water. You will have a key to your private ensuite room and another key to the villa. There is an in-room safe in every room. The best part is....wait for it...your bed will be made & room cleaned for you everyday, yay!

Each villa has a private jacuzzi and an outdoor day bed. There’s also a large pool situated steps away from your villa. Yes, you will feel like you’re in paradise. Wait until you meet the super friendly staff. The owner is French and the staff are Vietnamese. The wonderful staff and location are the two main reasons why we’ve chosen this resort as our training destination.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort but connection can drop out easily due to the remote location of the resort. Connection, however, is strong enough to log on and send home a quick email to tell your family how much you’re enjoying the training. The best Wi-Fi reception is in the reception, restaurant, and bar. We encourage you to limit your internet use so you can enjoy and embrace every moment in paradise.

The resort does not have a gym, weights, or treadmills. The area around the resort is quiet and past retreatants have enjoyed running and walking in the area.

Meals

Included in the training are your meals from Monday to Saturday and Sunday breakfast. You may like to order extra meals, snacks and drinks at your own cost at any other times.

7:30am Fruit, coffee & tea
10:30am Brunch - vegetarian buffet-style
5:30pm Dinner - vegetarian buffet-style

Sundays are your free days i.e. no formal yoga teachings and it's your day off to rest and explore. Sunday breakfasts are included in your YTT package and served at the restaurant at the regular guest time of 7am to 9:30am. Lunch and dinner can be purchased at anytime at your own cost. You might like to dine at the resort and there are many great restaurants in Mui Ne town, about a 30-minute ride to and from the resort.

If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions please let us know Registration Form as soon as possible so we can pass it along to the resort.

Laundry Service

There is laundry service at the resort but it can be expensive and there’s a chance that your clothes will not be treated in the way that you prefer, especially delicate clothes. We suggest bringing your favourite scent-free (or low scent) washing powder and practice mindful hand washing. Clothes dry quickly in the Vietnam heat.

Yoga Mat

Please bring your own yoga mat and any other props that you practice with. We will provide yoga blocks and straps.

If you’d like to pack lightly and purchase a yoga mat in HCMC, for about $10-25, depending on types of mat you want, your hotel will be able to guide you to “Sports Street” (Huyền Trân Công Chúa, District 1) or a sporting shop. Sports Street is in the same neighbourhood/district as the bus meeting point, not too far off the beaten path. Please note that Full Moon Village Resort, our YTT location, does not have yoga mats for sale. You are welcome to leave your mat with us after the retreat and we’ll donate it to the staff or local charities.

Spa Treatments

Massage treatments are available at the resort including full body massage, back massage, Thai massage, and foot massage. As it's an outside service, separate from the resort, they take cash payments only so bring along cash in VND. The treatment prices range from 250,000 VND to 700,000 VND. 

Tipping

Tipping hotel staff in Vietnam is not expected but appreciated. It is customary to leave a small tip for hotel staff who provide exceptional service. Towards the end of the training, if you’d like to offer a tip, we collect the tips (in VND or USD) in an envelope to give to reception to distribute evenly to the staff. You may like to offer the hotel staff tips personally instead.

What to Bring

• For hygienic purposes, please bring your own yoga mat. We will provide yoga blocks and straps.

• A reusable water bottle. There will be plenty of drinking water available at the resort.

• Comfortable yoga wear that covers your knees and torso. Vietnamese people dress conservatively. To help us respect the Vietnamese traditions and culture, it’s best not to show off too much skin. We encourage you to wear leggings or long shorts (not short shorts) and t-shirts or tank tops (not just a sports bra) when practicing yoga or at meal times at the resort.

• Swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sarong, warm shawl, flashlight.

• A notebook/journal to take notes during the training and jot down your personal insights, revelations, and most inner transformative thoughts.

• Pens or multi-coloured pens and a highlighter. We will have extra pens on deck.

• Medication from home.

• Some scent-free (or low-scent) washing powder if you prefer to hand wash your clothes.

• A good book, or two.

• Your favourite herbal tea. A kettle is provided in each villa. You might like to also bring along your favourite snacks.

• A universal plug adapter for your electronic devices.

• Optional: Extra cash in VND for massage treatments and tipping the resort staff.

For your convenience, we suggest that you pack as lightly as possible.

Weather

With temperatures remaining constant year round, the climate of the south of Vietnam is split into two simple seasons, wet and dry. The dry season begins in November and ends in April/early May with late February to May being slightly hotter and more humid. The wet season lasts from May until early November with the months from June, July & August receiving the highest rainfall of the year. Throughout much of the wet season rainfall is generally heavy but short lasting, often occurring in a mid-afternoon heavy torrential downpour.

The average November/December temperature in Mui Ne is around 23 to 30 degrees Celsius.

Scent-Free

In consideration of others who have allergies, including Hang and Sarah, please attend the training scent-free: no perfume/fragrance/cologne/scented products/essential oils. If possible, please use scent-free or low-scent shampoo/conditioner, soap, lotion, deodorant, washing detergent and sunscreen.

Photography

We respect your privacy and would like to ask for your permission to take photos during the training for social media to help promote the healing yoga & mindfulness practice, as well as share the photos with you later as a keepsake. Please let us know if you do not wish to be in the photos.

Cancellation Policy

Life happens and we understand that you may need to cancel your trip. As we have made our commitment to the resort, here is the cancellation policy.

• If cancelled 90 days prior to the training date: A full refund, minus a $100 USD processing & administration fee.

• If cancelled within 90 days prior to the training date: A 50% refund, minus a $100 USD processing & administration fee.

• There will be no refunds 30 days prior to the training.

• If the training is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, like a pandemic, you will receive a full refund.

Contact Email & Number

If you need help with anything or have any questions, please feel free to email us at hello@saigonom.com or call/SMS Hang’s local Vietnam number +84 0559 793 340. Leave out the country code 84 if calling locally.

Happy & Safe Travels

We look forward to welcoming you to beautiful Mui Ne and spending a nourishing three weeks with you in tropical paradise.

A blooming Vietnamese lotus to you,
Hang & Sarah