I know what modern women truly long for and it’s not designer handbags, luxury goods, or diamonds…it’s time. Deep, restorative time for themselves. A chance to disconnect from the outside world, to pause, to breathe, to shift the focus inward. It’s the space to quiet the noise, silence the guilt of unattainable expectations, and see life with fresh clarity. And yes, dear reader, I know a place where you can do just that.
Welcome to your river wellness retreat
I’m only here for three days, though it really should be four, maybe five, but life, teens, and deadlines have their wicked way of intervening. My goal is simple: make the most of my time, soak in everything Namia River Retreat has to offer, and truly unwind into the offerings. Designed as a sanctuary of renewal, Namia offers more than holistic care for the body and mind, it invites guests to savour unique cuisine and immerse themselves in the rich local culture.
When I arrived at Namia River Retreat, I was exhausted, not just run-down, but bone-deep weary. The kind of fatigue that demands three coffees before breakfast just to get the kids out the door and coax enough life into my veins to propel myself to the gym. Much as I love coffee, I know this cortisol-fuelled cycle is unsustainable for maintaining clear, focused energy. I understand it. I just can’t seem to break it.
Maybe Namia can help me ease my morning coffee throw down. But the 90-minute daily wellness inclusion in the package is what truly draws me in, something I haven’t seen in other retreats, and a defining feature of this stay. There’s plenty of other wellness activities I’m keen to explore too, like yoga and silent meditation walks, even throwing out a prayer or two in a wishing tree ritual and lantern ceremony.
But from the moment I arrived, Namia’s effortless accessibility stood out. A seamless check-in, a swift buggy ride past the Fisherman restaurant and onsite kids club and I’m at my villa – glass doors open, an infinity pool shimmering before me, the vibrant Thu Bon River stretching beyond. It felt like my true introduction to the retreat had just begun.
Conveniently, my villa sits right beside Lumina Spa, which, if I’m being honest, is exactly where I plan to spend most of my time. With a river-facing villa (27 in total), the design reflects tranquil blue hues and subtle nods to the water, wooden oars mounted on the wall, black-and-white prints of local fishermen, a handcrafted wooden boat at the centre of my coffee table cradling delicate teacups.
The connection to water is unmistakable, and for someone who has always felt drawn to it, it’s perfect. Behind me, on the other side of the road, there are 26 Nipa Pool villas (inspired by earthy tones from the surrounding Nipa forest), all complete with an open-plan bedroom, en suite bathroom with shower and pool view like mine. There are also family villas and a spectacular Honeymoon Villa, that I doubt any couple would be tempted to leave.
And then, there’s the bath! But first, let’s circle back to the daily 90-minute self-care ritual, a journey that begins with a herbal sauna and invigorating cold plunge right on the riverfront. From there, I can indulge in traditional therapies like massage, cupping, facial reflexology, and acupressure. The experience comes full circle in the evening with a private soak ritual, enjoyed in the serenity of your own villa’s sunken bath.
I’m truly glad to be here. Back home, carving out even 5–10 minutes for myself feels like a losing battle amid endless demands, so much so that ‘me time’ has been reduced to idling in the supermarket checkout line, sneaking in a few moments of doom-scrolling. As a mum, everything else somehow takes priority, family, friends, home, work, side hustles, before I even consider tending to my own body, mind, or soul. I don’t have a solution, and I’m not sure one exists. Oh wait! Coffee, that’s my solution.
Having grown up in a home where massage was present, my mum was an accomplished masseuse, I’m well-versed in a range of techniques and I’ve been pummelled more times than I can count, perhaps enough to call myself an expert. Many years ago, I even launched an on-site chair massage side-hustle in London, a little ahead of its time. The point is, I know a good massage when I get one, and I’ve mastered the art of guiding therapists to deliver exactly what I need.
Given Namia River Retreat is only 12-weeks old at my time of visiting, I’m expecting there to be teething problems. Yet after visiting the Lumina Spa on my first morning for a luscious Hamman, which entailed soft scrubbing using a herbaceous paste to refresh my tired skin, followed by a firm Vietnamese massage, I find little to complain about. In fact, I feel so relaxed yet energised and eager to eat pho in a non-delicate way back in my room, that I take my leave quickly but not without having the foresight to book my next acupressure and facial reflexology appointments.
The next morning, I wake in my luxuriously soft king-sized bed, draw back the blackout curtains, and savour the rarest indulgence of all, waking up for myself. No dropping my son off to an eye-watering 6:30am school sports lesson, no scrambling to squeeze in exercise before the day spirals into chaos. Just me, the bed, the view, and an infinity pool inviting me in.
Wrapped in my skarong (yes, it’s a thing–trust me, I’m sure the local fisherman in the overlooking Thu Ron river appreciate it), I step into the water, the coolness instantly reviving me. I feel awake, refreshed, recharged. And, for the first time in a while, I actually want to move my body, not in a high-intensity, cortisol-spiking gym session, where sweat stains and a crimson-tinged face mark success, but in a way that feels gentle and nourishing.
After a wholesome buffet breakfast at Merchant restaurant, where an extensive spread of healthy Western and Vietnamese options tempts me, I ease into a Dưỡng Sinh class. The rhythmic breathing and Tai Chi-like movements create the perfect space to reflect on a question so many mothers wrestle with: how to balance time, energy, and the relentless demands of life.
I wish I had a simple, one-line answer for you, dear reader, but we both know this struggle is ever-evolving, impossible to master in a world that never slows down, unless, of course, you have a team of personal staff.
For the rest of us, it’s about seizing moments like these, sinking into a sunken bath, sipping a sleep-enhancing herbal tea, and indulging in a Bridget Jones rewatch on Netflix. Small but powerful reminders, in places like Namia, that self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Simple, understated, essential.
Rebecca Foreman was hosted by Namia River Retreat for a complimentary stay. All opinions expressed are based on the author’s personal experience.
