Namia River Retreat

Our stay at the exquisite Namia River Retreat was nothing short of sensational and most certainly above all of our lofty expectations. Having followed their social media since before the grand opening in February 2025, we were excited to experience this luxury all-villa resort located on the Thu Bon River riverbank for ourselves. When we read about a luxury wellness resort where guests are invited to enjoy 90 minutes of spa treatments and traditional therapies daily, we are naturally excited, and when this is combined with a deeply committed care for the community and pioneering modern hospitality, it automatically becomes somewhere that we just must visit. The care and attention to detail in creating this stunning resort from the moment we arrived until our checkout was clear to see, with the same thought given to the uniquely crafted wellness concept. Whether it was the handwritten haiku placed in our room each night alongside their signature Thuoc Nam herbal tea made with chrysanthemum, lotus plumule and jasmine flower, or the attentive staff team who are clearly proud to be part of this independently owned luxury wellness resort, everything combined perfectly to make for a truly memorable stay.

Our luxurious villa at Namia River Retreat

We stayed in a one bedroom River Pool Villa at Namia River Retreat that was simply stunning. Conceptualised and designed with a meticulous eye for detail, it was perfect in every way. The natural light complemented the light wood and soft furnishings, whilst the modern fixtures and fittings were understated and luxurious. Floor to ceiling windows allowed us to enjoy the expansive private pool and river views from every angle, including from the impressive sunken bath at the foot of our sumptuous bed. We’ve been fortunate to stay at some of the finest resorts in the region, but we would say that our River Pool Villa at Namia River Retreat is right up there with the very best.

The vegan food at Namia River Retreat

Breakfast was served at The Merchant at Namia River Retreat, which was also open all day for lunch and dinner. We enjoyed hot chocolate with oat milk, turmeric lattes and daily wellness boosts served to our table before exploring the buffet, which had an excellent salad bar with the creamiest avocado that we enjoyed on multi seed sourdough, along with fresh spring rolls, fruit, granola and tasty dehydrated tomato crackers. The à la carte menu offered a selection of Vietnamese and local breakfast favourites that could easily be prepared vegan, including flavoursome cao lau, a noodle dish particular to Hoi An. We also enjoyed other traditional breakfast favourites including banh xeo, pho and mi quang noodles. Special mention has to go to the delightful heart shaped vegan pandan waffles topped with jackfruit and served with maple syrup, which were a much appreciated off menu creation from the ever helpful staff team.

We enjoyed lunch and dinner at both The Fisherman and The Merchant at Namia River Retreat during our stay, selecting dishes that were either vegan or easily adapted. The Poolside Garden Platter was a favourite, featuring lotus seed hummus, Da Lat crudité, falafel, crispy taro and flatbread. The lotus seed hummus made a welcome change from chickpea hummus, and the flatbread, freshly baked in the pizza oven, was perfect, meaning we just had to order a pizza during our stay. Both the fresh and fried spring rolls were excellent, and the Green Garden gazpacho was light, refreshing and had a subtle chilli kick. Mains included Namia fried rice, which we enjoyed with tofu and vegetables, a wood fired vegetable claypot packed with tofu, mushroom and pumpkin, and roasted cauliflower with Vietnamese macadamia, which was executed perfectly. Refreshing treats included watermelon and plum sorbet with berry drizzle, and our favourite, crispy mango and passion fruit sorbet with coconut caramel.

Wellness at Namia River Retreat

The thoughtfully designed spaces for treatments, yoga, meditation and relaxation at Namia River Retreat were serene and calming, making our time exploring the extensive wellness offerings both rewarding and rejuvenating. Our practitioners were friendly and professional, while our treatments, based on arrival consultations, were first rate. From welcome drinks to departure drinks, everything was carefully considered, and we were even invited to the apothecary to see our herbal scrubs mixed and prepared. Enjoying 90 minutes of pure indulgence each day of our stay was both revitalising and relaxing, wellness in the truest sense, with the traditional herbal Xong Hoi steaming therapies in the Hammam being the perfect way to commence our daily wellness rituals. There were a range of yoga classes tailored to different abilities and needs, from energetic vinyasa flow in the morning to restorative yin yoga with sound healing and peaceful sleep yoga at night. An early morning guided walking meditation in the style of Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh was a gentle introduction to mindfulness and an excellent way to tune into the peace and tranquillity of the surroundings at Namia.

The vegan essentials at Namia River Retreat

There were lots of extras that made us smile at Namia River Retreat, from the pillow menu with non feather options to the complimentary mini bar with snacks and drinks that was replenished daily, and the planet friendly initiatives including refillable glass water bottles and bathroom amenities in ceramic dispensers. But it was the additional activities during our stay that not only made us smile, but also allowed us to experience Vietnamese culture and community while keeping us active and engaged. From guided cycling trails to herb planting and lantern rituals, and expert led classes including yoga, t’ai chi, breath work and mindful walks, everything combined to enhance the experience and reflect Namia’s commitment to authentic exploration of local life and traditions.

The Vegan Food Quest Verdict

It would be hard to fault our stay at Namia River Retreat, it was close to perfect in so many ways. They have created a dreamy retreat in a unique location with modern villas that are packed with character and simply sublime. The attentive staff team are omnipresent and always happy to offer their expert assistance to enhance your stay, clearly an asset to this luxury Vietnamese wellness retreat. Their ever evolving culinary offering already boasts a number of vegan and vegetarian options, and we are excited to see how this develops in the future with even more plant based food that creates perfect synergy with their wellness approach to tourism. As a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, they have elevated Hoi An riverside tourism to the next level and we wish them every success in the future, and we cannot wait to return.

We were guests of Namia River Retreat but please rest assured that their generosity in hosting us didn’t influence our views.

Namia River Retreat
232 Tran Nhan Tong Street
Cam Chau Ward
Hoi An
Vietnam

Telephone: +84 235 777 9999
Email: reservations@namia.com
Cost From: £420 / $530 (April 2026)