Month: April 2026

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?

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The air inside the market carried the scent of yeast and something faintly floral. Coastal fog clung to the redwoods, but here the light through salt-hazed windows came in warm, settling over bins of produce and jars of honey. The space, built from reclaimed cedar, felt worn in the right places. Underfoot, the floorboards creaked in a steady rhythm beneath the low hum of the coolers. People moved through the narrow aisles unhurriedly, pausing, greeting one another.

Hannah stood by a crate of heirloom artichokes, turning one over in her hands before setting it back. Her long dark hair hung in curls, a canvas bag slipping down her shoulder. She glanced from table to table without urgency, as if she hadn’t decided what she’d come for yet.

“Morning, Hannah.”

She looked up. “Jenn—hi.”

Jennifer shifted her basket to her other hand. “Glad the fundraiser’s done. We made enough for the year.” Her face relaxed. “You coming to the gallery Friday? They’re showing some of the younger potters.”

“I think so,” Hannah said. She adjusted her bag, her fingers resting on the strap. “I could use it. I’ve been a little… adrift.”

Jennifer watched her gaze move toward the entrance, caught by some distant sound outside. The stillness between them deepened.

Hannah reached for a bunch of lilacs from a nearby bucket, brushing her thumb along the stems. “I heard about Margot. A couple days ago.”

Jennifer’s expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

Hannah nodded, still looking at the flowers. “I can’t stop thinking about her.”

Margot had moved as if she were still working marble, her hands remembering the weight of tools even when they were empty. Her silver hair pulled back, dust settled into her apron. The first time Hannah visited her studio, she found her standing over a half-formed piece. Margot didn’t look up right away. When she finally spoke, she gave voice to something already forming: The thing you keep almost saying – that’s what should not go unsaid.

“I keep coming back to one thing,” Hannah continued. “I never told her how much she meant to me.”

Jennifer leaned lightly against the display beside them. “You were close. I’m sure she knew.”

“Maybe.” Hannah set the lilacs down, then picked them up again. “I didn’t feel confused about our friendship, as unconventional as it was – as far apart in age as we were. She was eighty-three, you know? And it didn’t matter to me what you’d call it. But I could feel the pressure sometimes – like other people needed it to be something I could explain in labels they understood.”

A moment passed.

“I never thought that had anything to do with my not telling her how important she was in my life. But I didn’t tell her. So I keep wondering.”

Jennifer reached out and squeezed her arm, letting the touch speak for her.

The low whir of a coffee grinder started up somewhere in the back. Someone laughed nearby. Hannah exhaled and placed the lilacs gently into her basket.

“I used to bring her these,” she said. “She never made a big deal of it – just put them in a jar on the kitchen sill. Once I came in and the old ones were still there, completely dried out. She said she liked them just as well that way. They last longer if you let them change.”

Jennifer smiled. “That sounds like her.”

They lingered, then Jennifer met Hannah’s eyes. “I’ll see you Friday?”

“Yeah,” Hannah said. “I’ll be there.”

Jennifer gave her a knowing hug and moved on down the aisle.

Hannah continued through the market, adding a loaf of bread to her basket, a few apples. Near the back, she watched an older man reach for an item on a high shelf while a younger woman stepped in to hand it to him. They exchanged a few words, then went their separate ways.

At the register she set her basket down, the lilacs on top.

My Own Experience

I’ve known that kind of closeness before – three times – each with someone many decades older than I.

There was my mother’s friend, outspoken and a wonderful listener, who made space in a conversation the way good rooms do – you could move around in it.

There was an Indian engineer with the heart of a metaphysician. In my early 20s he helped me find my footing without ever suggesting I lacked it and introduced me to life-changing perspectives from the philosophies of his ancient culture.

And there was a Japanese Hawaiian kupuna who showed me aloha in its truest sense when I first arrived as a newcomer to the islands. He had a gift for saying the necessary thing once, and leaving it there.

I loved all three.

In none of these cases did I experience the relationship as unusual. The discomfort came from others who couldn’t place what they were seeing, whose unease became a pressure to explain what had never needed explaining. I tried, for a while, but the explanations were always reductive.

Hannah said it was unconventional. I didn’t experience mine that way. I knew what I felt, and I said it. She didn’t.

I’ve been trying to understand why.

Your Thoughts:

Have you had friends many years older or younger than you? How did those friendships develop? Do you think they were unconventional?

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A woman once told me something I hear often, but rarely so honestly:

“I want to enjoy my retirement… but every time I spend money, part of me wonders if I should be saving it for my children instead.”

She wasn’t being pressured by her family. Her children had never asked for anything. Still, she carried a quiet belief many women hold: Good parents leave something behind.

And yet, she also knew something else to be true: she had worked hard for decades, saved responsibly, and wanted to enjoy the life she had built.

That tension is one many retirees quietly wrestle with:

How do you balance living well now with leaving a meaningful legacy later?

The answer isn’t the same for everyone. But asking the question thoughtfully can bring tremendous clarity.

Why This Feels So Emotional

Legacy decisions are rarely just about money. They’re about love, responsibility, values, family expectations and personal identity. For many women, leaving money behind feels like one final way to care for the people they love.

At the same time, using your money to support your own comfort, joy, and security in retirement is not selfish; it’s part of what that money was for.

Balancing those two truths can be challenging.

Redefining What Legacy Really Means

Many people automatically think of legacy as money left behind. But legacy can also include:

• The example you set through how you live.
• The memories you create with loved ones.
• The emotional and practical support you provide during life.
• The financial stress you avoid placing on family later.

Sometimes, living well and planning thoughtfully can be as meaningful a legacy as leaving an inheritance.

“Legacy isn’t only what you leave behind it’s also the example you set in how you live.”

The Reality: Your Retirement Matters Too

One of the most important truths to remember is this: Your retirement is not a waiting room. You are not simply preserving assets until someday. You are living your life now.

That means it’s reasonable and healthy to use your resources to:

• Improve your quality of life,
• Reduce stress,
• Support your independence,
• Create meaningful experiences,
• Address your own needs as they evolve.

Enjoying your retirement does not mean you don’t care about your family. It means you recognize your needs matter too.

A Helpful Framework for Finding Balance

If you’re unsure where to draw the line, consider asking yourself:

1. Have I Secured My Own Needs First?

Before focusing heavily on inheritance goals, make sure your own retirement plan supports:

• Essential living expenses
• Healthcare / future care needs
• Emergency reserves
• Reasonable lifestyle flexibility

Protecting your own financial security is often one of the greatest gifts you can give your family.

2. What Matters Most to Me Emotionally?

Ask yourself honestly:

• Is leaving money behind deeply important to me? Or do I feel obligated because I think I “should”?
• Would I rather help family now while I can see the impact?
• Would I rather prioritize my own experiences and security?

There are no wrong answers only personal ones.

3. What Does “Enough” Look Like?

Legacy planning doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Many women find peace in setting a broad intention such as:

• “If funds remain after my needs are met, wonderful.”
• “I want to preserve a certain amount if reasonably possible.”
• “I prefer to prioritize living fully and let the rest fall where it may.”

That middle ground often reduces unnecessary guilt.

Sometimes the Greatest Legacy Is Not Financial

Many adult children would rather know their parents:

• Felt secure
• Enjoyed their retirement
• Traveled, explored, and experienced life
• Maintained independence
• Avoided unnecessary financial stress

In fact, many say: “I’d rather my parents use their money than deny themselves on my behalf.”

That may be worth remembering.

A Gentle Reflection Checklist

If this is something you’re wrestling with, consider asking:

• Am I holding back out of love or guilt?
• Do my children actually expect an inheritance?
• Have I discussed expectations openly with them?
• What would bring me greater peace: preserving more, or enjoying more?
• What kind of legacy do I truly want to leave?

Clarity often begins with questions like these.

The Goal Isn’t Perfection It’s Alignment

There is no universal formula for balancing legacy and lifestyle. The goal isn’t to maximize every dollar. It’s to make decisions that reflect your values, priorities, relationships and vision for retirement.

When your financial choices align with what matters most to you, they tend to feel much lighter.

Final Thoughts

Living fully and leaving something behind are not mutually exclusive.

For many women, the most satisfying path lies somewhere in the middle, enjoying the life they worked hard to build while thoughtfully preserving what they can.

And if that balance shifts over time, that’s okay too. Because ultimately, the most meaningful legacy may not be the amount you leave behind… It may be the example you set by living your life with intention, confidence, and grace.

Let’s Discuss:

What legacy have you build for yourself? Do you wish to leave something particular to your heirs? Would you say financial legacy is important to you – or less important than intimate relationship?