Welcome to the third iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, a compendium of the 100 best spas in the world, compiled based on first-person reviews and careful editing. This year, we’ve renewed our focus on establishments that have established a reputation for exceptional care of body and mind, though there is a great variety in the list. Whatever you are seeking when it comes to wellness, there is something here for you.
Why go here?
In a country where the cacophony of car horns and whizzing mopeds are omnipresent, Namia River Retreat is, as its name suggests, a haven from all the literal and figurative noise. Set on its own islet just outside of Hoi An Ancient Town, the hotel is not only perfectly positioned to explore Vietnam’s well-preserved trading port, it also offers an intimate paradise that soothes the body and mind. But the real kicker? Every night booked comes with a complimentary 90-minute treatment.
What’s the vibe?
You’d never know that the islet that Namia now occupies was previously barren. The hotel worked closely with a landscape architect to reintroduce native plants like fruiting banana trees, young palms, and fragrant frangipani to create a lush haven that naturally fosters a restorative energy. A stone road runs through the center of the slender isle, flanked by spacious pool villas on either side. And about halfway down you’ll find Lumina Spa, where attentive staff are at the ready to welcome you with a pot of tea steeped from herbs grown on-site.
The spa is split between two levels with changing rooms, relaxation lounges, and hydrotherapy facilities on the ground floor while 10 treatment suites (six of which are doubles) sit above. During high season and holidays, the spa can feel busy since reception is on the smaller side, but otherwise it’s a calm setting looking out to the Thu Bon River.
The history?
Namia River Retreat opened its doors at the end of 2024. The spa is not only rooted in southern Vietnamese herbology and Vietnamese traditional medicine, but it also draws inspiration from the owner’s grandmother, who would utilize herbal remedies to heal various ailments. As such, you’ll find resident herbalists stationed at the spa’s apothecaries—stocked with 10 herbal powders and 20 fresh and dried herbs that have either been grown in Namia’s own gardens or sourced from the local community—who will customize scrubs, masks, and sachets based on your needs.
What should you try?
Your time at Lumina will begin with an assessment to determine where you fall on the yin-yang spectrum, where adjustments to the former call for a focus on relaxation while the latter is centered on physical well-being. This not only determines which herbs will be the most beneficial, but also in part dictates your treatments, although you’re welcome to make adjustments. I leaned more yang and was prescribed a mix of mugwort, Vietnamese ginseng, and perilla leaves to help with blood circulation, metabolic balance, and inflammation, respectively. These three ingredients were then incorporated into the hammam sessions that preceded my treatments, which included a Vietnamese massage, an herbal poultice therapy, and cupping.
Quite frankly I’d sign up for all three again. The Vietnamese massage used traditional kneading techniques to release knots while a mugwort moxa stick was used to promote healing and circulation. Over the past few years, I’ve discovered a predilection for poultices, finding that the combination of heat, herbs, and pressure relieves my weight-of-the-world shoulders, so it came as no surprise that a more targeted approach with a personalized concoction proved to be highly effective. I also tried cupping—out of curiosity more than anything else. The suction cups were uncomfortable at times, but my back felt noticeably looser afterward. It does, however, leave not-subtle bruise-like circles—my friend’s daughter squealed “alien!” and ran off when she saw my back—so perhaps not the best choice for anyone who plans on, say, taking photos frolicking in the pool.
How environmentally friendly is it?
The hotel and spa has implemented environmental and social responsibility practices that include waste management initiatives and conscious partnerships to uplift the local community. Intentional sourcing also plays a key role in their ethos, from working with local ethical vendors to eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
What else do you need to know?
To complement the daily spa treatments, the hotel offers a daily calendar of wellness offerings that include guided bike rides into town, duong sinh (referred to as Vietnamese tai chi), and a variety of yoga classes along with more leisurely activities like sunset cruises and basket boat rides. And when you return to your room in the evening, make sure to look out for your curated turndown amenity of either an herbal bath soak or tea.
Who can go?
The spa is only available to hotel guests.
Booking details for Lumina Spa at Namia River Retreat
Address: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.
