Namia Hoi An x Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Defining Boutique Hospitality in Vietnam
Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) curates a rare collection of independently owned hotels where individuality, place, and purpose quietly lead the experience. Each property is chosen not for scale or spectacle, but for character – authentic, unrepeatable, and deeply rooted in its surroundings.
In August 2025, Namia River Retreat was named one of 15 founding hotels worldwide in the newly launched SLH Wellbeing Collection. Set on a private islet along the Thu Bon River, Namia represents a new expression of boutique hospitality in Vietnam – where wellness is inclusive, design is restorative, and cultural wisdom shapes everyday living
What Defines Small Luxury Hotels of the World™
SLH is a global collection of over 650 independent boutique hotels across 90 countries, each personally selected for its authenticity and sense of place. Rather than standardising experience, SLH preserves individuality.
Every SHL member hotel undergoes annual inspections across 750+ criteria, assessing design integrity, sustainability, service quality, and the depth of guest experience. Beyond aesthetic excellence, SLH values meaningful engagement with the environment and community.
Within the collection, the Considerate Collection recognises responsible hospitality, while the Wellbeing Collection highlights destinations where rest, balance, and restoration are thoughtfully embedded. As a member of both, Namia River Retreat reflects two pillars of modern luxury: sustainability in action and wellbeing as a way of life.
How Namia River Retreat Became a Founding Member of SLH’s Wellbeing Collection
Inclusive Wellness as a Daily Rhythm
At Namia River Retreat, wellness is a way of life. Each stay includes a daily 90-minute wellbeing journey, allowing guests to begin or end the day in quiet restoration. Wellbeing flows through every layer of the retreat-from movement and rest to dining, sleep, and moments of pause – aligning with SLH’s vision of wellbeing as an everyday experience.
Source: https://slh.com/hotels
Authenticity Rooted in Vietnamese Herbology
Namia’s philosophy is grounded in Herbology (Thuốc Nam), Vietnam’s traditional herbal wisdom shaped by land, climate, and lived knowledge. All treatments rely exclusively on Vietnamese herbs, grown in Namia River Retreat’s gardens or sourced through trusted local herbal families.
Each herb carries its own story – cultivated, gathered, and prepared with respect for its origins. SLH recognises Namia River Retreat’s commitment to preserving this ancestral wisdom responsibly, ensuring that tradition is honoured without being commercialised or diluted.
Signature Vietnamese Traditional Practices
Vietnamese wellbeing traditions form the heart of Namia’s spa and movement rituals. These practices are rarely experienced together in a contemporary luxury setting.
- Dưỡng Sinh (Vietnamese Tai Chi):
Morning breathwork and gentle movement inspired by the teachings of Nguyễn Khắc Viện, encouraging balance between breath, body, and awareness. - Xông Hơi (Herbal Hamma):
Indigenous Vietnamese steaming herbs reinterpreted as a modern herbal hammam at Lumina Spa & Wellbeing, using custom herbal prescriptions. - Diện Chẩn (Vietnamese Reflexology):
Developed by Professor Bùi Quốc Châu in the 1980s, this facial reflexology method is a defining treatment that sets Namia apart globally.
Complementary therapies include Vietnamese massage, acupressure, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal poultices (Chườm) – each applied with quiet precision and cultural respect.
A Design Philosophy That Supports Wellbeing
Design at Namia River Retreat is functional, emotional, and restorative. The Lumina Wellbeing Centre follows organic curves inspired by the Thu Bon River, allowing architecture to move as water does. Natural materials such as bamboo, stone, river pebbles, and nipa palm are ground in each space in its environment.
Circadian lighting supports natural sleep rhythms, while private pool villas are oriented to capture river breezes, reflected light, and afternoon stillness. Every design decision encourages slowness and a return to natural balance.
How Namia River Retreat Embodies SLH’s Considerate Collection Standards
Community-Minded by Nature
Namia River Retreat is shaped by a close and ongoing relationship with the communities along the Thu Bồn River. Local employment is prioritised, with partnerships coming from nearby local areas. This approach creates stable job opportunities for local families while preserving regional knowledge and traditional skills within the community.
The same philosophy guides how food is sourced. Fresh ingredients are purchased each morning from local markets and complemented by produce from Namia’s own herb gardens, nearby farmers, and fishermen who supply the retreat directly.
Community partnerships extend beyond food. Namia River Retreat works closely with local artisans through long-term craft collaborations in basket weaving, pottery, and herbal pouch making. These handcrafted items are displayed and sold at The Merchant, Namia’s on-site restaurant.
Even the smallest guest touches reflect this community connection. Complimentary in-villa treats, including dried mango, are curated by Ms. Michelle Ford, the resort’s main operator & CEO of Lumina Wellbeing, and sourced exclusively from trusted local producers known for ethical and quality-driven practices.
Cultural Custodianship
Designed by T3 Architects, Namia River Retreat follows bioclimatic principles and vernacular forms inspired by nipa palm forests, stilt houses, and river-based living.
All 60 private pool villas feature bamboo, rattan, river stone, and handcrafted woodwork. The guiding story of The Craftsman & The Fisherman – creation and harmony with water – unfolds through river journeys, craft encounters, and daily rituals.
Environmentally Conscious Hospitality
Namia River Retreat was built with restraint and respect. Architecture protects the existing nipa palm ecosystem, with minimal land intervention on what was once a barren islet.
Sustainability measures include bioclimatic design, indigenous landscape restoration, mangrove buffers for erosion control, and natural pest management. Herb gardens, composting systems, and water stewardship practices support long-term environmental balance.
The retreat maintains a zero single-use plastic commitment, integrates recycled materials, and prioritises hyper-local staffing. Sustainability practices align with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the GSTC Framework, supported by environmental management systems and transparent reporting.
A Quiet Reimagining of Boutique Luxury in Vietnam
As a founding member of the SLH Wellbeing Collection, Namia River Retreat stands as Vietnam’s poetic new expression of boutique luxury. Its strength lies in clarity, such as a private islet setting, all pool villas, wellness-inclusive stays, and deep cultural immersion.
Recognition includes:
- 《Tatler》亚洲太平洋地区最佳百家酒店
- DestinAsian Luxe List 2025
- 2025 Design Anthology Awards
- Proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™
Experience a quieter rhythm of Hoi An. Discover Namia River Retreat.
Location: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Hoi An, Việt Nam
Phone: +84 (0) 235 3533 777
Email: hello@namiariverretreat.com
