The promise of peace and connection draws Rhonda Bannister to a heavenly wellness retreat in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Just after arriving at the Namia River Retreat, there’s a moment when time seems to slow and almost stop. It happens as we step onto our Nipa Pool Villa’s wooden terrace, watching the Thu Bồn River drift lazily past. I take a deep breath and realise there’s no sound, just the leaves rustling in the breeze. It feels like we’ve entered a vacuum of calm and peace. Over the next two days, this elegant riverside sanctuary will become our refuge — a place where time bends, senses awaken, and we recalibrate in harmony with nature.
Namia’s story is about mindfulness and intention. Created by a pair of wellness devotees with deep ties to the region, it was envisioned as a space where travellers could retreat from the world while immersing themselves in Vietnam’s healing traditions. The property rests on the tranquil shores of Cồn Ba Xã Islet, a scenic river ride from the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An’s Old Town.
It’s not a traditional ‘spa’ but a wellness retreat that weaves silent walking and breathing classes with meditation, tai chi and yoga, and a herbal steam hammam with oriental facial reflexology, massage, and body treatments. The property’s onsite apothecary draws from ancient healing methods to create bespoke teas and bath infusions, each tailored to your body’s needs, a truly unique and intriguing offering.
With just 60 villas, Namia promises a private and indulgent experience. Each villa is thoughtfully designed as a serene haven, featuring a private pool surrounded by lush greenery, sunken bathtubs, and interiors that exude elegance and refinement. The lounge area opens to the deck, giving easy access to the pool when the weather invites you outdoors.
As we settle into the rhythm of the retreat, we find ourselves in a 30-minute herbal steam therapy session; the scent of lemongrass and pandan leaves envelop us as the heat unknots our shoulders. Then it’s time for our massage, the first of the relaxation and healing rituals we’ll be experiencing as we unwind from the rigors of air travel, where we sat like sardines in a tin can for over ten hours.
A Vietnamese massage is centred on applying targeted pressure to acupoints, and my young masseuse finds every sore spot using her hands, fingers, and knuckles — heaven! My husband’s not a massage aficionado like me, but even he can’t believe how the kinks in his neck and back are ironed out with a deep tissue massage.
We walk back to our villa with a new spring in our step, eager to bathe in our sunken bath (it’s big enough for two) using the herbal preparation crafted by the spa. Then, with a sense of anticipation, it’s time for a chilled glass of wine as we join the other guests on the sundowner cruise down the river, watching the beautiful streets of Hoi An come to life.
Related reading: The best things to see and do in Hoi An for couples
There are two restaurants at Namia, so on our first night we choose The Merchant, an all-day dining hub where we also enjoy breakfast each morning. After perusing the menu (which includes options for carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike), it’s apparent the hardest decision we will make today is what to select from this thoughtfully crafted showcase of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with an intriguing modern twist.
Settling on grilled organic beef in betel leaves with persimmon hot sauce and roasted peanuts as a starter, we moved on to share a plate of river duck with tamarind before a claypot of braised pork belly, eggplant, banana blossom, crispy onion and pepper. And to finish? A delicious dessert of gingko, lotus, peach resin, goji, chia and chilled honey soup, aptly called Traditional Beauty Soup. I liken this meal to a love letter from the chefs to the local farmers, organic markets and fishermen who supply their fresh produce daily to the kitchen.
Dawn breaks with the gentle gong of a meditation bell. There’s a quiet magic in the way the world feels at this hour — unhurried, almost sacred. We join a small group for tai chi on a wooden deck overlooking the river, our movements slow and deliberate in the cool morning air before a silent, mindful walk. Afterwards, breakfast of fresh fruit with nuts and yoghurt, a turmeric and ginger latte, and a warm pho broth that feels like pure nourishment prepares us for a day of relaxation and exploration.
We take the boat into Hoi An for a walk around its ancient streets, crossing the famous Japanese Bridge to wander the back laneways and pop into the welcoming boutiques and gift stores to grab a souvenir or two for family and friends before our river trip home to Namia.
We return to the spa for a hammam steam and couple’s massage where, once more, the therapist’s skilled hands work away the last remnants of tension, leaving us weightless. As evening settles, we walk to The Fisherman restaurant overlooking the river for a pre-dinner cocktail by the Insta-perfect pool before dining on grilled scallops and river fish wrapped in banana leaves, the scent of lemongrass and charcoal filling the air.
We wake early for one last meditation session by the water, the rhythmic sound of the river grounding us in the present. As we pack our bags, we feel different — not just rested, but deeply recalibrated. Namia River Retreat isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a reminder of the beauty of slowing down, sharing quiet moments, and genuinely being present together.
In a world that moves fast, it offers the rarest luxury: the chance to simply be.
Related reading: 17 of the best beach resorts in Vietnam
