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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
The Nam Hai may not advertise itself as a holistic destination, but the resort, situated on the central Vietnamese coastline, certainly feels like one. The Hoi An–based hotel uses beach cruisers as the main mode of transportation to cross the cobbled lanes and navigate between modernist bungalows situated amid vibrant, sprawling lawns. Wellness extends into every space—in my room I find aromatic oils and a copper singing bowl—but the center of the ecosystem is the Heart of the Earth Spa.
“What I love about the Nam Hai is they have a very clearly defined concept,” says Oanh Ngo, the spa manager at this Four Season resort. “It’s inspired by Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. Hahn has been called “the monk who taught the world mindfulness” by Time magazine, and his influence can be felt on every podcast and yoga studio urging you to take pleasure in quotidian pleasures like eating an apple or sweeping your kitchen floor. “He guides us to connect with ourselves and with nature through stability, creativity, and non-judgement,” Ngo notes.
What’s the vibe?
The resort is located near the town of Hoi An, a small but bustling city positioned on the north bank of the Thu Bon River, known for the lanterns that hang in colorful strands over the streets of the ancient town and glow from the boats floating along the river. Several world-class sites are an easy day trip from the resort: At My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage destination located about an hour from Nam Hai, you can see Hindu ruins built between the 4th and 13th centuries. The resort itself is spread along a stretch of beach strewn with small sea shells, while the spa is situated amid a koi-filled and lotus-dotted lagoon. The decor is simple, streamlined, and chic.
What should you try?
The spa menu is divided into those aforementioned pillars: stability, creativity, and non-judgement. According to Ngo, treatments in the stability category aim to nourish the physical body; creativity is designed to release blocks, increase mental and physical flexibility, and release tension; and non-judgement approaches allow you to connect with yourself and with nature, promoting inner peace. Mindfulness is the link—total attention to the present moment, wherever it may find you.
I tried the Five Elements treatment, aimed to balance the chakras of my body. After an herbal foot soak and scrub, the 100-minute bodywork session works me out, aided by a fresh, property-grown ginger paste that is slid along the spine.
A suite of new treatments were launched in 2024, including a scanning tool that analyzes biomarkers and create a comprehensive health report. There are also a number of wellness retreats planned for this year, many of them involving visiting scholars and experts. In December and into the new year, Azusa Segawa will be in residence. The Japanese practitioner specializes in Chi Nei Tsang, a Taoist abdominal massage that works on internal organs.
How environmentally friendly is it?
Nam Hai makes efforts on a number of fronts: The resort runs on renewable energy sources, while landscaping has been designed to conserve water and use native plants. Solar-powered water heaters provide hot water to the rooms, and a food-waste reduction program is in place. (The youngests guests are even invited to learn about the on-site composting program.) The resort is home to a working farm, where more than 40 varieties of herbs, vegetables, fruits, and edible flowers are cultivated for use in dining and in the spa, whether in ginger paste scrubs or infused body mists. More broadly, the spa prioritizes the use of natural ingredients and materials.
What else do we need to know?
Pack your mini robe. The Nam Hai offers several children’s spa treatments, such as Gifts from the Earth, a body scrub, facial, and hair treatment meant to offer an early introduction to the world of wellness. Couldn’t hurt, right?
Who can go?
The spa is open to in-house guests and outside guests for day treatments. Advance appointments (at least 24 hours ahead of time) are required in both instances.
--Adapted from Calin Van Paris
Booking details for Heart of the Earth Spa at the Nam Hai Resort
Address: Block Ha My, Dong B, Điện Bàn, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.