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. 

It was lovely to visit and reconnect with General Manager, Michelle Ford, having first met many years ago at what was then Fusion Maia Da Nang. Her passion for wellness and hospitality is evident throughout the guest experience, and is clearly shared by the wider team. We were met with genuine warmth wherever we went, and every interaction felt natural rather than rehearsed. A special thank you to our resort host and Spa Manager, Ms Lan, who made our stay feel effortless. Every guest is assigned a dedicated host, and Lan was always on hand to coordinate our treatments and activities, answer questions and ensure everything ran smoothly, while still giving us the space to enjoy the resort at our own pace.

Each day guests enjoy a delicious all-day breakfast, a traditional spa treatment, a signature thermal experience and a range of wellness activities inspired by Vietnamese traditions. That sense of place extends throughout the resort, from locally sourced ingredients and single-origin Vietnamese coffee to the herbs used in the spa. Rather than feeling like a luxury resort that could be anywhere in the world, Namia feels genuinely connected to its surroundings.

After spending some time at the retreat, it became clear to me that while comparisons with TIA Wellness Resort are understandable, they're actually quite different experiences. 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 create a holiday where guests simply left feeling more rested than when they arrived, without following a structured wellness program. For travellers who enjoy wellness but don't necessarily want a dedicated wellness retreat, I think that's exactly where Namia excels.

My Experience: Wellness Your Way

Before we arrived, my husband and I had enthusiastically booked almost every activity on the schedule. By the second day we'd cancelled about half of them, not because we weren't enjoying ourselves, but because we'd settled into the slower pace of the resort. We found ourselves lingering over breakfast, reading by our private pool and eagerly awaiting our daily spa treatment. Perhaps that's the best way to describe Namia. Rather than encouraging you to do more, it quietly reminds you that sometimes the greatest luxury is having nowhere else you need to be.

I've stayed at many 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 simply another offering alongside the gym and swimming pool.

Namia sits comfortably between those two.

The pace is noticeably slower. Days settle into an easy pace 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 program of activities on offer, there is never any pressure to participate.

A Different Approach to 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 comprehensive collection of daily wellness inclusions, from a 60-minute spa treatment and a 30-minute thermal wellness experience to breakfast and a range of wellness activities. Rather than encouraging guests to spend more once they arrive, Namia includes many of the experiences that are often treated as optional extras.

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.

Despite the variety at breakfast, we usually found ourselves making coffee in the villa first. Sitting on the deck with a traditional Vietnamese drip coffee while the river slowly came to life, became one of my favourite parts of the day. I also appreciated that Namia hadn't simply opted for a standard coffee pod machine. Instead, every villa includes a traditional percolator and a selection of sustainably sourced Vietnamese single-origin coffees, making the morning ritual feel much more connected to the destination.

Another favourite little touch was the complimentary snacks topped up daily in our villa, including delicious dried mango. I'd already developed a taste for it while travelling through Vietnam, so it quickly became my go-to snack while reading by the pool or relaxing between activities. Together with the replenished non-alcoholic minibar, it was another thoughtful inclusion that made the villa feel genuinely easy to settle into.

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

One thing I particularly appreciated was that the menus never felt restrictive. There are plenty of wholesome, nourishing options, but also room for comfort food if that's what you're in the mood for. Rather than prescribing how guests should eat, Namia simply serves excellent food and allows everyone to make their own choices, which I think perfectly reflects the resort's overall philosophy towards wellness.

Another of our favourite inclusions was the sunset cruise. Enjoying cocktails or mocktails and beautifully presented canapés while drifting along the river offered a different perspective of the resort and was a lovely way to end the day.

We didn't manage to experience the Merchant River Cruise on this visit, but it's already on the list for next time and gives us another reason to return.

Accommodation: Designed for Relaxation

Every guest at Namia stays in a private pool villa, either overlooking the Thu Bon River or the surrounding lush Nipa palm forest. We stayed in River Pool Villa 138, tucked away towards the far end of the resort's five-hectare private island. Guests are provided with complimentary bamboo bikes for exploring the local area, while buggies are always available if you'd prefer a lift around the property.

The villas strike a lovely balance between luxury and comfort. A private swimming pool, pillow menu and a host of thoughtful in-room touches all contribute to a stay that feels generous without ever feeling over the top.

One feature I particularly enjoyed was the large sunken bath, positioned to make the most of the peaceful river views. It quickly became one of my favourite places to unwind before dinner, watching the light change over the river as the afternoon turned to night.

However, what I appreciated the most wasn't any single design feature. It was how quickly the villa encouraged us to slow down. Between the plentiful outdoor space, the quiet riverside setting and the simple rituals that became part of each day, it became remarkably easy to switch off. We both slept exceptionally well throughout our stay, which is often one of the best indicators of just how relaxed we had become.

Each evening we returned to find a handwritten note waiting on the bed alongside a pot of sleep tea prepared as part of turndown. It was these small gestures that quietly reinforced the deliberately slower rhythm of the stay.

What Namia Does Exceptionally Well

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 included as part of every stay, making them feel like a natural part of the holiday rather than optional extras. While participation is entirely optional, having these experiences included encourages guests to embrace wellness at their own pace.

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 easy access to Hoi An encourages guests to experience the destination rather than remaining within the resort.

Nothing feels forced or overly curated. Instead, Namia 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.

Rather than asking guests to commit to a wellness program before they arrive, Namia simply creates an environment where wellbeing becomes part of each day.

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 hammams feature heated stone tables, steam room and a built-in Vichy shower and the sauna and cold plunge overlook the river. 

The massage tables were also exceptionally comfortable. Combined with the warmth and skill of the therapists, who appeared to move in sync, it made it remarkably easy to switch into relaxation mode before your treatment had even begun.

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 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 and enjoy 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, wellness feels effortless here, allowing guests to enjoy all the comforts of a luxury holiday while returning home feeling more relaxed than when they arrived.

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.

Looking back, I don't think what I'll remember most is any one treatment or meal. I'll remember slow mornings with coffee on the deck as the river came to life, afternoons drifting effortlessly into another visit to the spa, and evenings ending with a handwritten note and sleep tea in my room. We arrived planning to make the most of every inclusion and left realising that the greatest luxury was simply slowing down enough to enjoy where we were.

For travellers seeking a luxury holiday with meaningful wellness woven throughout the experience, I think Namia delivers exactly that.

Thinking About Namia?

If you're considering Namia River Retreat or comparing it with other wellness resorts in Vietnam, I'd be happy to help you decide whether it's the right fit. Every traveller is different, and choosing the right property can make all the difference to how you feel when you return home.