Sleeper Magazine - Namia River Retreat Hoi An
- Lifestyle Connected
- May 28
- 9 min read
Words: Naomi Chadderton
Photography: Courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Rooted in tradition, an all-villa retreat in Vietnam blends bioclimatic design and wellness in a soulful riverside setting.
With its bustling waterways, vibrant markets and eclectic mix of architectural styles, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An can be something of a sensory overload. Yet just a short boat ride away, nestled amidst lush landscapes and tranquil waters, its newest luxury hotel is a true sanctuary of calm.
Located on an islet overlooking the Thu Bon River in a quiet nipa palm-lined neighbourhood to the east of Hoi An’s old town, Namia River Retreat is the vision of Tran Thanh Nam, CEO of HG Holdings, who grew up in the village and wanted to share his passion for Vietnamese hospitality. A chance meeting with Michelle Ford, CEO of Lumina Wellbeing, led to a fruitful collaboration, with the spa specialist introducing her signature approach that combines physical, visual, sensory and emotional elements, as well as those of the land.
As such, the all-villa resort was conceptualised to immerse guests in nature, both through its design and programming. For the design, Charles Gallavardin and Tereza Gallavardin Zelenkova, co-founders of T3 Architects and Kanopea Architecture Studio, were enlisted for their commitment to sustainable and bioclimatic design principles, while interiors were conceived by Lifestyle Connected.
“Designing to promote wellbeing and respect for the environment is in our DNA, and this was exactly the brief we received from HG Holdings,” explains Gallavardin. “Having a branch in Vietnam, and knowing the small historic town of Hoi An so well, helped us imagine this project like no-one else.”
Driven by a desire to break away from the traditional architecture of the historic city centre, Gallavardin and his team drew inspiration from the surrounding countryside, finding their muse in the fishermen’s houses that line the river – particularly when it came to the resort’s 60 timber villas. Think thatched roofs, layers of natural materials and open-plan interiors in a calming colour palette developed with Lumina Wellbeing’s Creative Director Florence Mussou, who also works as a textile designer. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out to a private pool, while sunken bathtubs have been thoughtfully placed to offer views across the river. All of Namia’s furniture was made by hand within a 50km radius, while walls are dressed with local handicrafts – curious guests can visit the workshops of local woodcarvers, potters and weavers to learn about the centuries-old processes.
“The project’s quality lies in its understated elegance and the timeliness of its design,” states Gallavardin. “Vietnamese culture is everywhere, from the references to local architecture to the lighting, which, designed in collaboration with our partners Kobi Lighting Studio, preserves a certain layer of darkness so as not to feel too close to the city.”
As a self-proclaimed wellness-included resort, Namia stays true to its name, with stays revolving around the Lumina Spa. Defined by smooth stone walls and halo-like lighting, it is home to a welcome lounge with river views, two traditional apothecaries, eight herbal steam rooms and 12 treatment rooms, plus a river deck sauna and cold plunge. Guests are treated to a 90-minute wellness session per day, including a Hammam experience followed by a Vietnamese massage, cupping therapy, facial reflexology or acupressure therapy.
Treatments take place in huts, where the design is once again inspired by the vernacular. “We opted for an organic shape covered by a thatched roof and curved walls that envelop guests,” reveals Gallavardin.
“We could even go as far as to say it refers to the maternal womb from which we all come, contributing to the feeling of serenity.”
The spa’s healing concept is centered around traditional Vietnamese medicine from the south, known as thuoc nam, with signature therapies and movement practices curated in collaboration with traditional herbalists and mindfulness experts from the across the region. There’s also an impressive daily programme included in the room rate, with everything from Tai Chi and silent mindful walks to sunset cruises and lantern lighting rituals.
The wellbeing approach extends to the F&B too, with fresh produce supplied by local fishermen and farmers who are practising regenerative agriculture. Guests can take their pick
from two restaurants – The Merchant is rooted in Vietnamese cuisine with global influences woven throughout. Its circular form offers the widest possible panorama of the river from the upper floor, where guests can start their mornings with a healthy breakfast of fresh fruits, granola, eggs and coffee. Later in the day, the shellfish bisque and tamarind-glazed duck are a must-try.
Photography: Courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Rooted in tradition, an all-villa retreat in Vietnam blends bioclimatic design and wellness in a soulful riverside setting.
With its bustling waterways, vibrant markets and eclectic mix of architectural styles, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An can be something of a sensory overload. Yet just a short boat ride away, nestled amidst lush landscapes and tranquil waters, its newest luxury hotel is a true sanctuary of calm.
Located on an islet overlooking the Thu Bon River in a quiet nipa palm-lined neighbourhood to the east of Hoi An’s old town, Namia River Retreat is the vision of Tran Thanh Nam, CEO of HG Holdings, who grew up in the village and wanted to share his passion for Vietnamese hospitality. A chance meeting with Michelle Ford, CEO of Lumina Wellbeing, led to a fruitful collaboration, with the spa specialist introducing her signature approach that combines physical, visual, sensory and emotional elements, as well as those of the land.
As such, the all-villa resort was conceptualised to immerse guests in nature, both through its design and programming. For the design, Charles Gallavardin and Tereza Gallavardin Zelenkova, co-founders of T3 Architects and Kanopea Architecture Studio, were enlisted for their commitment to sustainable and bioclimatic design principles, while interiors were conceived by Lifestyle Connected.
“Designing to promote wellbeing and respect for the environment is in our DNA, and this was exactly the brief we received from HG Holdings,” explains Gallavardin. “Having a branch in Vietnam, and knowing the small historic town of Hoi An so well, helped us imagine this project like no-one else.”
Driven by a desire to break away from the traditional architecture of the historic city centre, Gallavardin and his team drew inspiration from the surrounding countryside, finding their muse in the fishermen’s houses that line the river – particularly when it came to the resort’s 60 timber villas. Think thatched roofs, layers of natural materials and open-plan interiors in a calming colour palette developed with Lumina Wellbeing’s Creative Director Florence Mussou, who also works as a textile designer. Floor-to-ceiling windows open out to a private pool, while sunken bathtubs have been thoughtfully placed to offer views across the river. All of Namia’s furniture was made by hand within a 50km radius, while walls are dressed with local handicrafts – curious guests can visit the workshops of local woodcarvers, potters and weavers to learn about the centuries-old processes.
“The project’s quality lies in its understated elegance and the timeliness of its design,” states Gallavardin. “Vietnamese culture is everywhere, from the references to local architecture to the lighting, which, designed in collaboration with our partners Kobi Lighting Studio, preserves a certain layer of darkness so as not to feel too close to the city.”
As a self-proclaimed wellness-included resort, Namia stays true to its name, with stays revolving around the Lumina Spa. Defined by smooth stone walls and halo-like lighting, it is home to a welcome lounge with river views, two traditional apothecaries, eight herbal steam rooms and 12 treatment rooms, plus a river deck sauna and cold plunge. Guests are treated to a 90-minute wellness session per day, including a Hammam experience followed by a Vietnamese massage, cupping therapy, facial reflexology or acupressure therapy.
Treatments take place in huts, where the design is once again inspired by the vernacular. “We opted for an organic shape covered by a thatched roof and curved walls that envelop guests,” reveals Gallavardin.
“We could even go as far as to say it refers to the maternal womb from which we all come, contributing to the feeling of serenity.”
The spa’s healing concept is centered around traditional Vietnamese medicine from the south, known as thuoc nam, with signature therapies and movement practices curated in collaboration with traditional herbalists and mindfulness experts from the across the region. There’s also an impressive daily programme included in the room rate, with everything from Tai Chi and silent mindful walks to sunset cruises and lantern lighting rituals.
The wellbeing approach extends to the F&B too, with fresh produce supplied by local fishermen and farmers who are practising regenerative agriculture. Guests can take their pick
from two restaurants – The Merchant is rooted in Vietnamese cuisine with global influences woven throughout. Its circular form offers the widest possible panorama of the river from the upper floor, where guests can start their mornings with a healthy breakfast of fresh fruits, granola, eggs and coffee. Later in the day, the shellfish bisque and tamarind-glazed duck are a must-try.
Then there’s The Fisherman, designed in the shape of an arching nipa palm leaf to protect from the elements. The fare nods to local seafood, with a raw bar, sushi boats and yakitori grills. The kitchen uses organic ingredients from the resort’s herb garden and Hoi An’s Tra Que Vegetable Village, as well as produce foraged from the Cham Islands. Guests can also join cooking classes with chefs and buy Vietnamese gifts like tea, coffee, spices and honey from the resort’s own marketplace, thereby supporting small suppliers.
In addition to a commitment to social responsibilities, Namia places sustainable practices at the heart of its design. Not only are mangroves used as a retaining wall instead of concrete reinforcements, but the grounds are also landscaped entirely with indigenous plants, and a bio-pond encourages birds, bees and butterflies to flourish naturally. In addition, packaging is made from local banana leaves, straws from rice flour, and custom-designed water fountains can be found around the resort to refill recycled bottles. Guests can also explore the resort on electric buggies and head to Hoi An riding a bamboo bicycle. Furthermore, Gallavardin was keen toimplement his expertise in bioclimatic design – which involves practices that consider the specific climatic conditions of a location, in this case the humid summers followed by an intense rainy season. “This translates to wide roof overhangs that protect the façades from the sun and rain, and small openings to capture prevailing winds that allow a refreshing breeze to filter through the resort.” The natural ventilation also enables the buildings to cool without necessarily resorting to energyintensive air-conditioning. “It’s about doing more with less,” he explains. “Less energy, fewer resources and no chemicals make things easy to maintain and repair, limits technical problems and reduces maintenance costs.”
The resort also harnesses short supply chains and promotes local, bio- or geo-sourced
materials such as wood, bamboo, thatch, water palms, stone, lime and plaster, all of which are natural. “At the end of the day, we really wanted to avoid imported or overly processed materials so that guests can feel the cultural identity of Hoi An. Standard hotels make no sense for designers like T3 and Kanopea because we fight against standardisation, especially in the world of hospitality,” he concludes. “If we travel, it is to feel a culture and evoke emotion.” And that is exactly what has been achieved.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: HG Holdings
Operator: Lumina Wellbeing
Architecture: T3 Architects,
Kanopea Architecture Studio
Affiliation: Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Interior Design: Lifestyle Connected
Lighting Design: Kobi Lighting Studio
Landscaping: LJ Group
Main Contractor: Viettel
Then there’s The Fisherman, designed in the shape of an arching nipa palm leaf to protect from the elements. The fare nods to local seafood, with a raw bar, sushi boats and yakitori grills. The kitchen uses organic ingredients from the resort’s herb garden and Hoi An’s Tra Que Vegetable Village, as well as produce foraged from the Cham Islands. Guests can also join cooking classes with chefs and buy Vietnamese gifts like tea, coffee, spices and honey from the resort’s own marketplace, thereby supporting small suppliers.
In addition to a commitment to social responsibilities, Namia places sustainable practices at the heart of its design. Not only are mangroves used as a retaining wall instead of concrete reinforcements, but the grounds are also landscaped entirely with indigenous plants, and a bio-pond encourages birds, bees and butterflies to flourish naturally. In addition, packaging is made from local banana leaves, straws from rice flour, and custom-designed water fountains can be found around the resort to refill recycled bottles. Guests can also explore the resort on electric buggies and head to Hoi An riding a bamboo bicycle. Furthermore, Gallavardin was keen toimplement his expertise in bioclimatic design – which involves practices that consider the specific climatic conditions of a location, in this case the humid summers followed by an intense rainy season. “This translates to wide roof overhangs that protect the façades from the sun and rain, and small openings to capture prevailing winds that allow a refreshing breeze to filter through the resort.” The natural ventilation also enables the buildings to cool without necessarily resorting to energyintensive air-conditioning. “It’s about doing more with less,” he explains. “Less energy, fewer resources and no chemicals make things easy to maintain and repair, limits technical problems and reduces maintenance costs.”
The resort also harnesses short supply chains and promotes local, bio- or geo-sourced
materials such as wood, bamboo, thatch, water palms, stone, lime and plaster, all of which are natural. “At the end of the day, we really wanted to avoid imported or overly processed materials so that guests can feel the cultural identity of Hoi An. Standard hotels make no sense for designers like T3 and Kanopea because we fight against standardisation, especially in the world of hospitality,” he concludes. “If we travel, it is to feel a culture and evoke emotion.” And that is exactly what has been achieved.
EXPRESS CHECK-OUT
Owner: HG Holdings
Operator: Lumina Wellbeing
Architecture: T3 Architects,
Kanopea Architecture Studio
Affiliation: Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Interior Design: Lifestyle Connected
Lighting Design: Kobi Lighting Studio
Landscaping: LJ Group
Main Contractor: Viettel
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