Namia River Retreat Founder: “Honouring Vietnamese traditions is at the core of identity”

Tran Thanh Nam: True sophistication is reflected through sincerity and meaning. To create a complete and memorable stay, we place emphasis on employing local staff and offering comprehensive training. No one can embody warm hospitality or convey the unique spirit of Hoi An more genuinely than those who call it home. This commitment is a cornerstone of our ability to uphold exceptional service, while fostering meaningful contributions to the community.

Balancing a luxury resort with sustainability requires strategic decisions. What challenges did Namia River Retreat encounter when weaving sustainability into the fabric of its design and daily operations?

Tran Thanh Nam: One of our key challenges is sourcing premium, sustainable materials locally. Supporting artisanal craftsmanship demands extra time in production, which calls for patience and precise planning. Balancing sustainability goals with budgets while maintaining a luxury standard is always a delicate dance. Yet at every step, we remain firmly committed to making responsible choices.

Michelle Ford: … and it’s been a learning curve. It’s often more convenient to work with large-scale suppliers, but we’ve made a deliberate decision to collaborate with small, local businesses. This not only supports the community but helps us remain true to our values. Another significant challenge lies in education and awareness, helping our team to embrace sustainability not as a checklist, but as a way of life. We offer continuous training so each team member fully understands and lives by this philosophy. We’re also in the process of securing formal sustainability certifications, which will further shape and strengthen our approach.

What plans does the team have to minimise the environmental impact of resort operations, such as waste management, energy and water conservation?

Tran Thanh Nam: One of our strongest commitments is to renewable energy, with solar power playing a central role in Namia’s long-term sustainability vision. By gradually expanding our use of solar solutions, we aim to lessen our reliance on conventional energy and operate in closer harmony with the environment.

Michelle Ford: Sustainability informs every detail of how we operate. Bamboo bicycles and electric buggies are our go-to modes of transport within the resort, helping reduce emissions. We’ve adopted a circular approach to waste: water and glass bottles are refilled at designated stations throughout the property, significantly cutting down on single-use plastics. Even our back-office furniture is crafted from recycled plastic, a small but important gesture in reimagining waste. Wherever possible, we source locally and invest in hiring and training people from the region, ensuring our sustainability efforts also uplift the wider community.

So what non-profits or local initiatives has the resort partnered with to maximise its positive impact on the community and continue to uphold its responsible tourism mission?

Michelle Ford: We’ve joined hands with organisations like Reform, which transforms plastic waste into usable materials, and Glassia, which provides sustainable glass bottles and water refill infrastructure, both key allies in our journey to reduce single-use plastic. At the same time, we’re working with traditional healers, doctors and Dien Chan practitioners to train our therapists, helping to preserve and pass down these time-honoured healing techniques. One exciting initiative on the horizon is a therapeutic herbal garden developed in collaboration with local healers. It will supply fresh ingredients for spa treatments while safeguarding Vietnam’s botanical healing traditions.

We also intend to deepen our connection with the local community by crafting immersive experiences that bring the culture of Hoi An to life for our guests. Whether it’s joining a local artisan at work, learning the traditional art of fishing, or participating in a village ceremony, we want every visitor to leave with a genuine appreciation for the land and its people.

Tran Thanh Nam: Environmental stewardship remains a top priority. We’ll continue to take part in river clean-up campaigns and are looking into introducing electric boats as an alternative to petrol-powered vessels. It’s a step forward not just for the resort, but potentially for the wider region, a model for sustainable river tourism in Hoi An.

Hoi An is a destination rich in cultural identity. To strike a balance between modern development and safeguarding heritage, art, and traditional craft villages, what harmonious ‘formula’ has Namia River Retreat discovered?

Michelle Ford: At Namia River Retreat, honouring Vietnamese traditions is central to our ethos. We weave local rituals into multi-sensory experiences, from prayer ceremonies to the timeless act of lantern-releasing. Guests are encouraged to explore lesser-known corners of the region on guided cycling tours. Each activity invites them not merely to observe, but to engage, to live the heritage in a way that celebrates the culture’s essence while interpreting it in a fresh, modern voice.

Tran Thanh Nam: We want every visitor to leave with a genuine connection to the culture of this place. Each guest is welcomed by a Hoi An local, offering the opportunity for meaningful exchanges with the community. Through storytelling, we bring the region’s heritage to life, linking guests with farmers, fishermen, artisans and traditional healers. Many of these stories are deeply personal, drawn from my own childhood memories, including my grandmother’s herbal remedies and life in the countryside.

Read more: Hoi An’s shadow in a heritage coffee space

Lumina Wellbeing is known for promoting healthy living. How does Michelle Ford integrate sustainability principles into the wellness programmes and resort experiences at Namia River Retreat?

Michelle Ford: At Namia, wellness and sustainability are inseparable. Our wellness itineraries are curated to help guests truly unwind, restoring harmony of mind and body with treatments inspired by traditional Chinese medicine. Each retreat includes in-room wellness rituals: perhaps a herbal scrub, a calming hammam, or our signature Dien Chan therapy. We offer four yoga sessions daily led by Vietnamese yogis, alongside mindfulness activities such as lantern ceremonies, silent walking meditation and our Health Class. Wellness here is not treated as a separate element but as part of a balanced, joyful way of life.

Mindfulness is a core part of the Namia experience. What makes you believe that bringing mindfulness into the work environment creates a more authentic and original experience for guests?

Tran Thanh Nam: Our aim is for every guest to feel stillness and connection. By cultivating a space that gently encourages slowness, we help them fully engage with the present, whether during a spa ritual, a quiet meditation, or simply while enjoying the serenity by the river.

Michelle Ford: Mindfulness begins with our team. When staff bring mindfulness into their daily routine, it transforms how they connect with one another and with our guests. This sense of presence fosters genuine attentiveness, deeper bonds, and meaningful encounters. It’s this subtle yet profound quality that elevates the guest experience, as people, place and emotion align in a quiet harmony.

Article published from the original article in Tatler Vietnam, April 2025 issue

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