Hoi An has long been a place to slow down – a riverside town where time drifts softly past mustard-yellow walls and lantern-lit evenings. Travelers come here seeking calm, reflection, and a taste of simple living. Yet at Namia River Retreat, that sense of peace takes on a deeper meaning. Beyond rest, it’s about returning to balance – through Southern Herbology, Vietnam’s native herbal tradition, that is thoughtfully woven in architecture, cuisine and everyday rituals.
In this article, we explore how Southern Herbology (Th.uoc Nam) is redefining wellness retreats in Hoi An – through the vision of Namia River Retreat.
Hoi An has quietly emerged as one of Vietnam’s most sought-after destinations for rest and renewal. Beyond its postcard charm, Hoi An offers a rare atmosphere where heritage, nature, and community still move in harmony. With its lantern-lit streets, riverside paths, and slower pace of life, the town naturally lends itself to mindful travel wellness in Viet Nam – a global trend that continues to grow.
According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), international arrivals seeking health and wellness experiences in Vietnam have increased by an average of 12% per year from 2017 to 2024. This reflects a wider shift: travelers are now prioritizing destinations that offer not only relaxation, but meaningful connection to nature and culture.
Southern Herbology (Th.uoc Nam) is Vietnam’s indigenous system of traditional medicine – a field of study and practice that dates back centuries and remains deeply connected to the country’s agrarian roots. Grounded in the principles of yin and yang, Southern Herbology emphasizes restoring equilibrium in the body through warmth, enhanced circulation, and the use of local botanicals.
At Namia River Retreat, Southern Herbology is carefully embedded in ways of living that shape every sense and space. A pathway of herbal garden beds runs through the heart of the resort, dividing two tranquil villa clusters: Nipa View Villas and River View Villas. Along this green corridor, lemongrass, mugwort, piper lolot, and mint grow in raised beds, releasing their gentle fragrance into the air. These plants are not merely decorative; they are harvested and used across the retreat’s wellbeing rituals within the resort.
Unlike Northern medicine, which often relies on imported ingredients and complex formulations, Southern Herbology emphasizes what is readily available: lemongrass to soothe fatigue, mugwort for joint relief, ginger to stimulate the blood, and betel leaf to balance internal heat. Treatments are designed to harmonize rather than to intervene, using natural temperature, scent, and touch as agents of renewal.
At Namia River Retreat, this centuries-old wisdom becomes part of everyday life. The resort’s herbal rituals and wellbeing programs are inspired by Herbology’s philosophy of balance and respect for nature – a connection explored in greater depth in the next section of this article.
Seasonal herbs from Namia’s gardens are handpicked and tied into small bundles before being infused throughout the resort. Their natural oils are gently released through herbal burners in the Welcome Lounge, Lumina Wellbeing Spa, restaurant areas, and each villa – allowing guests to breathe in the subtle essence of herbology in every space.
The soul of Namia River Retreat lies in Lumina Wellbeing Spa – a sanctuary inspired by herbs, heat, and the quiet wisdom of Vietnamese traditions. At the heart of Lumina Wellbeing Spa sits The Apothecary, where every guest’s wellness journey begins.
Upon arrival at Lumina Wellbeing Spa, you are greeted with a grounding moment in the form of an herbal welcome tea prepared from the herbs grown in the Namia River Retreat gardens. There is a cooling “Nước Sâm” for balance on welcome and a salted-lemon “Nước Thanh Dưỡng” tonic for hydration and revitalisation after the therapy treatment.
Before every treatment, the resident herbalist offers a thoughtful health assessment to determine whether the guest needs deep rest or body balance. Are they carrying fatigue in the body, or restlessness in the mind? Do they seek grounding, cleansing, or deep restoration?
Drawing on centuries of Vietnamese herbal knowledge, the herbalist blends freshly harvested leaves, roots, flowers, and botanicals to prepare remedies that support:
Each preparation is crafted slowly and intentionally in small batches, in honour of Namia River Retreat’s guiding philosophy: “Craft with Nature”. Nothing hurried. Nothing mass-produced. Every touch from freshly picked herbs to warm steam rising in the Hammam is a reminder that healing unfolds in rhythm with nature.
As evening falls, each on-site guest receives a small package of in-room daily rituals prepared by the herbalist at the
Apothecary. Delivered to the villa, this set includes:
At Namia River Retreat, Southern Herbology is more than a wellness culture concept in Hoi An. Southern Herbology is a living dialogue between the land and its people – one that transforms everyday moments into meaningful acts of care.
At Namia River Retreat, Southern Herbology (Th.uoc Nam) is woven into everyday living. From the herbal gardens flourishing along the islet to the personalised herbal rituals prepared at the Apothecary and throughout the daily Wellness Journey, every touchpoint reflects Vietnam’s timeless wisdom of balance and care. Here, herbology becomes an experience for all senses – the warmth of a Southern Herbology steam, the gentle fragrance drifting through each villa, the calm rhythm of life by the river.
What makes Namia River Retreat special:
Location: Con Ba Xa Islet, 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Hoi An, Việt Nam
Phone: +84 235 392 2929
Email: hello@namiariverretreat.com
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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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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
This will close in 21 seconds
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 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
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