THE MERCHANT
DINNER DUET

One-night-only dining experience celebrating Vietnam’s culinary heritage.

With Chef Benoît Chaigneau & Chef Thu Lê

HONOUR TRADITION – INSPIRING FUTURE:

Join us at Namia River Retreat for an unforgettable four-hands dinner that bridges cultures, honours local ingredients and reimagines Vietnamese cuisine for an evening of renewed culinary discovery.


WHAT AWAITS YOU:
• A one-night-only dinner celebrating Vietnamese fish sauce reinterpretations
• Creations inspired by the Flavours & Beyond TV series on Vietnam Today
• Immersive storytelling by Chi Phan and Creative Chef Benoit (founder of ChuBen fish sauce, the premium brand chosen by Michelin-starred chefs)
• Familiar dishes, reimagined by Executive Chef Thu Lê, a proud Hoianian
• Pairing menu featuring Ve De Di spirits, creatively crafted
• A social gathering shared with fellow food lovers and curious palates

Time: 18:30 – 21:00, on 6th December 2025

Venue: The Merchant Restaurant, Namia River Retreat, Hoi An

 

Value per person:

➤ Set Menu – VND 1,500,000 nett

➤ Set Menu with Ve De Di Pairing Tasters – VND 2,200,000 nett

 

Other Information:  

– 15% off other beverages

– Children 6 – 11 years old: 50% off full price 

– Children under 6: Complimentary

 An intimate evening celebrating connection, craft, and the beauty of shared discovery.

YOUR HOSTS
➤ Chef Benoît Chaigneau 
With over 20 years in the culinary world and hundreds of visits to Michelin-starred restaurants, French chef and TV host Benoît Chaigneau brings a global perspective to Vietnamese cuisine. Fascinated by fish sauce, he founded ChuBen Fish Sauce, which represented Vietnam at Osaka’s World Food Exhibition 2025. Chef Benoît celebrates tradition through innovation, blending Vietnamese heritage with global influences to create new stories of flavour.
➤ Chef Thu Le
A daughter of Hoi An and Executive Chef at Namia River Retreat, Chef Thu Lê returned home after years abroad to honour her roots. Her cuisine balances tradition and creativity, showcasing local ingredients through a refined, seasonal approach. Together with Chef Ben, she reimagines the beloved flavours of Central Vietnam with modern techniques, crafting a dialogue between past and present, where every dish is a memory lovingly reborn.
➤ Chi Phan
Having lived a jetsetter lifestyle for over two decades, Chi Phan brings a global eye to her love of Vietnamese traditions. Inspired by her collaboration with Chef Ben on Flavours & Beyond, she created this dining journey to celebrate food as storytelling and creative expression.
For Reservations:    

Kindly RSVP to reserve your seat

Email: Book@namiariverretreat.com | Tel: +84 (0) 235 3969 888 

Special Offer:    

Enjoy an exclusive privilege with one complimentary Dinner Duet per booking when you reserve your stay with us.

– Booking period: 20 November – 6 December 2025

– Stay period: 6 December 2025

 

*Terms and conditions apply.

1 VILLA – 1 BEDROOM

1 Bedroom Villa with Spa Sala, Jacuzzi & Outdoor Private Dining

Indoor 100 sqm, Pool & Terrace 200 sqm, Total 300 sqm

–  Private pool villa with 180-degree river view

–  Open-plan bedroom with 4-poster bed

–  En-suite bathroom, sunken bathtub, vanity and shower

–  Pool with loungers, open-air lounge, river dining sala

–  All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles

 

Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee

facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub.

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27 VILLAS - 1 BEDROOM

18 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm

09 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm

–  Private pool villa with direct River view

–  Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view

–  En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower

–  Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers

–  All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles

 

 

Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub

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4 VILLAS – 2 BEDROOMS

2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining

1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm

–  Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view

–  Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower

–  Twin bedroom with vanity and shower

–  Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers

–  All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles

 

Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)

This will close in 21 seconds

2 VILLAS – 2 BEDROOMS

2 Bedroom Villa with Kids Room and Outdoor Family Dining

1 Twin room & 1 King room / Indoor 80 sqm, Pool 130 sqm, Total 210 sqm

–  Main bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view

–  Main en-suite bathroom, vanity and shower

–  Twin bedroom with vanity and shower

–  Indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, pool with loungers

–  All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles

 

Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, double vanity, shower and sunken bathtub (king), shower (twin)

This will close in 21 seconds

26 VILLAS – 1 BEDROOM

12 King / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm

14 Twin / Indoor 62 sqm, Pool & Terrace 86 sqm, Total 148 sqm

–  Private pool villa with garden and nipa palm view

–  Open-plan bedroom, sunken bathtub, pool view

–  En-suite bathroom with vanity and shower

–  Lounge opening onto terrace, pool with loungers

–  All standard facilities and bamboo bicycles

Facilities include wireless internet, air conditioning, tea & coffee facilities, mini bar, safety box, telephone, television, hairdryer, vanity, indoor and outdoor shower and sunken bathtub

This will close in 21 seconds