Set on the banks of the Thu Bon River, around an hour from Da Nang Airport and just minutes from Hoi An's UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, Namia River Retreat combines luxury private pool villas with generous daily wellness inclusions.

Every stay includes generous daily inclusions, including breakfast, a traditional spa treatment, signature thermal experience and a range of wellness activities, making it easy to embrace wellness at your own pace while still enjoying the freedom of a traditional holiday.

After spending some time at the retreat, I came away thinking that while comparisons with TIA Wellness Resort are understandable, they are really quite different. While both properties successfully combine luxury accommodation with meaningful wellness experiences, Namia has a very distinct personality. The peaceful riverside setting, connection to Vietnamese healing traditions and easy access to Hoi An create a slower, more reflective experience that feels uniquely its own.

For me, the real question wasn't whether Namia was luxurious, because that became obvious very quickly. What interested me more was whether it could deliver a holiday that genuinely left guests feeling more rested and relaxed without following a structured wellness program. For travellers who enjoy wellness but don't necessarily want a dedicated wellness program, I think that's exactly where Namia excels.

My Experience: Wellness Your Way

I've stayed at wellness retreats, luxury wellness resorts and hotels around the world over the years, and while every property approaches wellbeing differently, most tend to fall into one of two categories. There are destination wellness retreats, where your days revolve around consultations, treatments and carefully planned programs, and there are luxury resorts where wellness is an additional offering alongside the gym and swimming pool.

Namia sits comfortably between those two.

The pace is noticeably slower. Days naturally settle into an easy rhythm of leisurely breakfasts, time by your private pool, cycling into Hoi An, afternoon spa treatments and quiet evenings or sunset cruises on the river. Nothing feels rushed, and while there is a full day of activities on offer, there is never any pressure to participate.

Looking back on my own stay, where I was joined by my husband Ben. I realised we'd taken part in quite a lot of activities. We began our days in the gym, we rode our bikes around the property whenever we had the chance, joined partner yoga, enjoyed some exceptional spa treatments and still had plenty of time to explore the local area, relax by the pool and simply enjoy being away together.

By the time we left, we both felt noticeably more rested, less hurried and more connected as a couple. I think that's one of Namia's greatest strengths. Rather than asking guests to adapt to the resort's schedule, the wellness experiences simply become part of your holiday.

The Experience: Luxury First then Wellness

At Namia there are no compulsory consultations, no structured itineraries and no expectation that every guest is working towards a particular health goal. Instead, wellness is available throughout your stay, allowing you to participate as much or as little as you choose.

Every stay includes a generous package of daily inclusions including a 60-minute spa treatment, a 30-minute thermal wellness experience, breakfast and a range of wellness activities. Rather than encouraging guests to spend more once they arrive, many of the experiences that would normally be considered optional extras are already included.

I actually found this changed the way we used the resort. It became easy to say yes to a yoga or Tai Chi class before breakfast simply because it was already included. The experience never felt prescriptive, but it gently encouraged us to make choices that left us feeling better by the end of the day.

For travellers who appreciate luxury accommodation, fine dining and wellness experiences, but don't want every day planned around a structured program, I think Namia is a perfect fit. It strikes a wonderful balance, giving guests the freedom to enjoy the resort's wellness experiences while leaving time to discover the culture, history and charm of Hoi An.

Dining: Local Spotlight

Breakfast at Merchant Restaurant combines fresh local produce with international favourites, and we found ourselves looking forward to trying something different each morning. Standout dishes included the Vietnamese salt coffee, fresh bánh mì, seasonal tropical fruit and locally produced yoghurt and cheeses.

Lunches and dinners at Fisherman's Restaurant highlighted regional seafood and Vietnamese flavours, with favourites including the Namia fried rice, tuna steak, sea bass and the house chilli jam.

One thing I found interesting was that the menus are not restrictive. However there are plenty of nutritious choices, and also room for comfort food if that's what you're in the mood for. Rather than telling guests how they should eat, Namia simply provides good quality food and allows everyone to make their own choices.

Accommodation: Designed for Relaxation

Every guest at Namia stays in a private pool villa, creating an immediate sense of privacy and space. Villas are available overlooking either the Thu Bon River or the surrounding nipa palms, and we stayed in River Pool Villa 138. Guests are provided bamboo bikes or can simply call for a buggy.

The villas strike a lovely balance between luxury and comfort. Features such as the private swimming pool, pillow menu, in-room drip coffee, complimentary wellness snacks, which are replenished daily all contribute to an experience that feels generous and considered.

One feature that immediately caught my attention was the large sunken bath. It's beautifully designed and quickly became one of my favourite parts of the villa.

What I appreciated most, however, wasn't any single design feature. It was the feeling of calm the villas create. Between the generous outdoor space, thoughtful landscaping and peaceful riverside setting, it became incredibly easy to switch off. We both slept exceptionally well throughout our stay, which is often one of the best indicators of how relaxed we've become.

What Namia Does Exceptionally Well

If I had to identify one thing that sets Namia apart, it would be the way it integrates wellness into a luxury holiday without making it feel like a to do list.

Many properties successfully combine beautiful accommodation with an excellent spa, but at Namia the wellness philosophy extends much further. Daily treatments, movement classes and wellness activities are all included in your stay, making them part of the overall holiday rather than additional extras, though they are all optional.

I also appreciated that the resort feels genuinely connected to its location. The spa draws inspiration from Vietnamese herbal traditions, local ingredients feature prominently throughout the restaurants and the easy access to Hoi An encourages guests to experience the destination rather than remaining inside the resort.

Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Instead, Namia instead creates an environment where slowing down happens naturally.

Wellness: A Daily Invitation

During our stay we participated in partner yoga, spa treatments, a sunset cruise and a lantern lighting ritual. The partner yoga class was particularly enjoyable, creating plenty of laughter while also reminding us to slow down and work together.

“Namia doesn't ask guests to choose a structured program before they arrive. Instead, the experience is designed to be flexible, allowing everyone to create a holiday that suits them”

One of the standout inclusions is the choice of thermal wellness experiences, which deserve a special mention. Each day, ahead of your traditional spa therapy, guests are given the choice between a herbal hammam using locally sourced botanicals, or a sauna and cool plunge experience. The private hammam’s feature heated stone tables, steam room and a built-in vichy shower and the sauna and cold plunge overlook the river.

Getting There and Recommended Length of Stay

Namia River Retreat is located approximately one hour from Da Nang International Airport and just five to ten minutes from Hoi An.

The location is one of the resort's greatest strengths because it allows guests to enjoy both a relaxing wellness holiday and one of Vietnam's most charming cultural destinations. Complimentary bicycles make it easy to explore the surrounding area, while a resort shuttle and inexpensive Grab taxis provide quick access to Hoi An whenever you feel like venturing out.

For most travellers, I think three to five nights is an ideal stay. This provides enough time to enjoy several spa treatments and wellness experiences while still allowing plenty of opportunities to explore Hoi An, enjoy the local restaurants and settle into the slower pace of the resort.

The Reality Check

If you're looking for a highly structured wellness retreat with medical consultations, fitness assessments or intensive lifestyle programs, I'd probably recommend looking at Kamalaya or Chiva-Som instead. Namia River Retreat is very much a luxury resort with substantial wellness inclusions rather than a destination retreat.

The Thu Bon River creates a beautiful backdrop for the resort, however guests hoping for a beachfront setting may find TIA Wellness Resort a better fit, and if you have the chance you might like to visit them both.

The Verdict: One of Vietnam's Most Enjoyable Luxury Wellness Escapes, Perfect for Couples

We spent longer over breakfast than we normally would, enjoyed leisurely bike rides, genuinely looked forward to our afternoon spa treatments and found ourselves spending evenings watching the river instead of reaching for our phones.

Namia doesn't promise to transform your life in a few days, nor does it expect you to dedicate every waking hour to your wellbeing. Instead, it creates an environment where wellness feels effortless, allowing guests to enjoy all the comforts of a luxury holiday while naturally returning home feeling more relaxed than when they arrived.

Namia has a distinct personality. The riverside setting, strong connection to Vietnamese traditions and immediate access to Hoi An create an experience that feels quieter, more reflective and deeply connected to its surroundings.

For travellers looking for a luxury holiday with meaningful wellness experiences built into every stay, I think Namia has quickly established itself as one of Vietnam's standout properties.

Thinking About Namia?

If you're considering Namia River Retreat as part of your Vietnam itinerary, I'd be happy to help you decide whether it's the right fit for your travel style and wellness goals.

As always, I match clients with properties and experiences based on how they want to feel when they return home, let me help you.