Restorative Travel in Hoi An: A Wellness-Inclusive Stay at Namia River Retreat
My partner and I sit and sip tea while the Namia River Retreat staff handle registration. A golf cart spirits us up to our villa, backing onto the Thu Bon River, on the quiet Cồn Ba Xã Islet. I look forward to the time I’ll spend at the Resort’s Lumina Spa.
Why Namia River Retreat Is Hoi An’s Top Wellness-Inclusive Resort?
How Do the Villas on Cồn Ba Xã Islet Add to the Wellness Experience?
Tatler Asia named Namia River Retreat one of the Best 100 Hotels in the Asia Pacific for 2025. Tatler Vietnam also recognized Namia River Retreat as the Best Wellness Retreat in Vietnam for 2025. Pedaling past the 60 luxury villas, spa, restaurants, pools, and yoga studio, I can see why.
At Lumina Spa, treatments are part of the package, not an add-on. An in-house herbalist blends plant‑based healing, Indigenous knowledge, Chinese influences, and region-specific botanicals. In fact, Namia River Retreat offers the only wellness-inclusive all-pool villa experience in Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Vietnam’s central coast.
Every villa has a host. Our host, Nam Anh, the quality assurance manager, takes us to our home for the next two days. “I was part of the opening team almost two years ago. It’s been very rewarding to see how things come together, says Anh. There are 60 pool villas in total, including six for families.” As Anh says, “What makes it extra special is that the rate includes the daily 90’ wellness journey.”
The spacious villa catches the light with cream-colored walls, white bedclothes, and soft accents. The neutral tone invites calm and carries into an open-concept living area. Floor-to-ceiling windows show off the private pool. After getting settled, I head for the Spa.
Pro Tip: Try the sunken hot tub after a dip in the private pool.
Herbal Healing Rituals and Plant-Based Therapies at Lumina Spa
I’m at the Lumina Spa, wrapped in a robe in front of the apothecary. Bowls of dried herbs, powders, and petals sit atop a wooden counter. As Anh says, “It’s probably my favorite place in the whole resort. These are examples of the mixtures our in-house herbalist produces for our guests. When you have the consultation, the herbalist can share which kind of herbal mixture can help you.” Anh also explains, “Our herbalist comes from a long line of herbalists before him. There are nationally recognized bodies that certify them. These are all noninvasive treatments.”
Anh’s knowledge of herbal medicine comes from his family. “My grandma also takes a bath on the eve of every Lunar New Year with a specific type of leaf. For our family, it’s a hot bath infused with coriander leaves. Growing up, that’s what I got used to doing as well.” This experience is being shared with Lumina guests.
Uyen, one of the Spa’s staff, mixes mugwort, perilla leaves, and jasmine, all grown on the property. The jasmine scent is intoxicating. My masseuse, Ly, gently applies the herbal mixture all over my body. My skin tingles. After a Vichy shower rinse, I relax and rehydrate. Following a deep tissue massage, I’m ready for food.
Pro Tip: Be sure to try the tea.
Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine Inspired by Hoi An’s Trading Heritage
Two restaurants on the property serve authentic Vietnamese food with local ingredients.
Meals at the Merchant Restaurant harken back to Hoi An’s ancient trading port and merchants from the East and West. The Fisherman Restaurant sources seafood and herbs from nearby Cham Island.
After my meal, it’s pool time. As a swimmer, having my own pool is a dream I’ve had for years. Palm trees and native grasses surround the private patio. The gurgling sound is soothing. Fishermen pass by, searching for their daily catch. After dinner, I try the sleep yoga. It works. Guests can also take a boat to Hoi An’s Old Town, take a sunset cruise, or pedal around Hoi An’s countryside.
Pro Tip: Build yoga into your stay.
Restorative Travel Moments That Redefine Wellness in Vietnam
On May 1, 2026, as part of the Dinner Duet series, two top chefs will combine their talents at the Merchant, Namia River Retreat’s riverside restaurant. Chef Olivier Corti of the Michelin-selected Le Comptoir in Da Nang and Chef Viet Pham of Namia River Retreat pay tribute to Hoi An’s trading port history, with exotic spices, and memories of cosy home kitchens.
What to Know Before Visiting Namia River Retreat
1. Expect a Wellness-Inclusive Stay with Daily Spa Treatments
Namia River Retreat isn’t a typical resort where spa services are add-ons. Treatments at Lumina Spa, herbal applications, Vichy showers, and deep tissue massages are included in your stay. Plan time each day to take advantage of the wellness programming.
2. Prepare for a Quiet, Riverfront Setting on Cồn Ba Xã Islet
The resort sits on a peaceful islet on the Thu Bon River, accessible by golf cart once you arrive. It’s intentionally serene, with 60 private pool villas and minimal foot traffic. If you’re seeking nightlife or crowds, you won’t find them here.
3. Bring an Appetite for Local Vietnamese Cuisine
Both restaurants focus on regional ingredients from Hoi An, Cham Island, and the surrounding farms. The culinary program is deeply rooted in local heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What Makes Namia River Retreat the Top Wellness-Inclusive Resort in Hoi An?
Namia River Retreat includes daily spa treatments, herbal therapies, and access to Lumina Spa as part of every stay. Guests don’t pay extra for massages, body treatments, or wellness rituals, making it one of the only wellness-inclusive, all pool villa resorts in Hoi An.
2. Are the Villas at Namia River Retreat Private?
Yes. Each villa has its own private pool, floor-to‑ceiling windows, and a spacious living area. Villas back onto the Thu Bon River or lush gardens on Cồn Ba Xã Islet, offering a quiet, restorative setting.
3. What Types of Spa Treatments Are Offered at Lumina Spa?
Lumina Spa blends Vietnamese herbal traditions, Indigenous knowledge, and Chinese influences. Treatments include herbal body applications, Vichy showers, deep tissue massage, and plant-based therapies using ingredients grown on the property.
4. What Dining Options Are Available at Namia River Retreat?
The resort has two restaurants: Merchant Restaurant, which draws inspiration from Hoi An’s ancient trading port, and Fisherman Restaurant, which features Cham Island seafood. Both focus on local ingredients and traditional Vietnamese flavors.
5. Is Namia River Retreat a Good Choice for Couples Seeking Restorative Travel?
Yes. With private pool villas, daily spa treatments, quiet river views, and immersive wellness rituals, the resort is ideal for couples looking to reset, reconnect, and experience restorative travel in Vietnam. There are also six villas for families. Guests can also choose a 3, 5, or 7-night stay, which includes in-room and spa wellness treatments, cultural experiences, wellness classes, and more.
My stay at Namia River Retreat spoiled me. I now want my own pool everywhere I go.
And included daily herbal spa treatments. I now know what to look for in a wellness resort. Namia River Retreat sets a high bar.
Author’s Note: This trip was sponsored by Namia River Resort, but all experiences shared in this article are personal.
Looking for wellness retreats closer to home? Check out our article 9 Wellness Retreats in the USA.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you stayed at an all-inclusive resort? What was special about it? Do you book spa treatments for yourself? What do you look for in an all-inclusive resort?
