I've been to Vietnam six times. This hotel transcends anything I've ever stayed in
By Sindy Nguyen|
I've been to Vietnam six times.
And as a Nguyen, I'd like to think that I have a pretty strong grasp on Vietnamese culture and on what makes or breaks the ideal Vietnam holiday.
Suffice to stay, staying at the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An transcends anything I have ever done or stayed in Vietnam. Here's why.
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Where to stay in Vietnam
Yes, there's Saigon and Hanoi but if you haven't added Hoi An to your bucket list, then what are you waiting for?
Hoi An is the perfect destination in Vietnam for tourists, uniquely blending history, culture and natural beauty… and of course, let's not forget about the delicious food, breathtaking beaches and (perhaps more so in my case), viral TikTok's showcasing affordable tailor-made clothing.
If you want something that's without the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's cities, Hoi An is the perfect cultural destination for all travellers alike.
The Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is located approximately 15 minutes away from Hoi An's historic centre and is the perfect place to set up base for your stay.
That is, of course, if you find yourself wanting to leave your resort (I know I didn't!), you have Hoi An at your fingertips - and the rest of Central Vietnam including Da Nang and imperial city Hue too.
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The resort
Let's talk about the resort.
100 villas. 86 acres of tropical gardens. Floating spa villas. Outdoor infinity pools. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts. Cooking academies.
All this and MORE on your own private, kilometre-long stretch of Ha My Beach (not to mention, using the complimentary bicycle to get around and ride through the beautiful acres of tropical gardens was one of my favourite things to do).
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Gasps were gasped when we walked into the open-air lobby and were greeted with the stretch of infinity pools. This resort is ridiculously beautiful.
What you see online is what you get (and tenfold) and it is truly obscene how a place like this exists and is not within walking distance to where I currently live now in Sydney.
I haven't even begun talking about the rooms, food or experiences yet. It's insane. Book it now, thank me later (and preferably thank me later with another stay here, please).
The rooms
There are a mixture of hotel and pool villas, each designed with a seamless blend of contemporary comfort and traditional Vietnamese architecture.
The hardest thing you'll ever have to do at The Nam Hai is choosing whether you want your villa to look over the ocean, beautifully landscaped tropical gardens or your own private infinity pool. I know, rough.
All villas offer your own private slice of paradise, with outdoor rain showers, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, sunken eggshell lacquer baths, king-size luxuriously soft beds, relaxing outdoor patios perfect for slow mornings with Vietnamese iced coffees.
And depending on what type of villa you choose, villas can also include exclusive services like your own personal attendant, airport transfers, daily laundry and more.
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The food
I'm not joking when I say I had the best Indian food in my life - in Vietnam. But it wasn't just the Indian food, it was every single dining destination at the Nam Hai.
I left with a belly so full I couldn't stomach much else for a few days afterwards and I am single-handedly still trying to find anything similar to what I experienced here in Sydney (it's hard).
Here's what you have to look forward to.
- Indian Fine Dining at the Cafe Nam Hai: Yes, it's basic to have butter chicken but when the butter chicken is so good, you can't say no. Chef de Cuisine Yam lal Kandel hails from Nepal and has not only mastered the Yamu Ka Butter Chicken, but I also happily devoured the Lamb Vindaloo.
- NAYUU: Helmed by Spanish-born, Tokyo-trained chef Alex Moranda, NAYUU is the only place to find omakase in Central Vietnam. The menu changes daily but expect carefully crafted courses, highlighting the delicate flavours, freshness and textures that Japanese cuisine is well known for. Everything was amazing and being able to watch it all unfold in the intimate restaurant was an added bonus. Favourites included the Wagyu Brisket and Sashimi Moriawase featuring fresh sashimi from the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan. Fair warning as well, come prepared to EAT.
- La Sen: After you've had Japanese and Indian, you should definitely experience Vietnamese food. La Sen is exciting in that it showcases the best of Vietnamese-French cuisine for lunch and dinner. Chef de Cuisine Thomas Remy who hails from Paris takes the best of what both cultures have to offer and delivers it all in many delicious tasting plates.
- Breakfast Buffet: And of course, there's the breakfast buffet. Featuring a smorgasbord of delicious pastries, fresh fruits and cold cuts, there's something for everyone here at the buffet. Tip: Order off the a la carte menu as well and get the Cao Lau (Hoi An–Style Noodles with Pork Char Siu). I ordered this every morning and have no regrets. It was mouth watering and I still think about it every day. No other Cao Lau I've had since I've come back home comes even close.
The amenities
If you just want to lounge about (and honestly, it's a crime not to), you have the series of infinity pools to enjoy.
The main infinity pool however is an impressive sight - long, wide, and perfectly positioned to overlook the lush gardens and the expansive stretch of beach. The calming blue waters are perfect for taking a leisurely swim, all while lapping up (see what I did there) the premium service.
Cold towels, iced water, delicious food and beverages brought to your own sunbed, all the while as you relax and recline in the lush sun. There's even a man that comes around offering to clean your sunglasses.
If wellness is more your vibe, then a treatment at The Heart of the Earth spa is what you want. Each treatment room offers stunning views of the lagoon as you drift into a beautifully pampered sleep.
Guests can indulge in healing massages, facials, body scrubs, bathing ceremonies and holistic therapies, all designed to leave the mind and body feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Other wellness offerings include yoga, mindfulness and meditation sessions, A Goodnight Kiss to the Earth nightly ritual where you celebrate the blessings of each day, crystal singing bowls and personalised wellness screenings.
Things to do in Hoi An
If activities are what you're after, then look no further. There is plenty the resort can help organise during your stay.
Activities that I loved included:
- Hoi An Ancient Town Tour - We're in Hoi An after all! With an experienced tour guide, we got to tour the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, taking in the town's charming lantern-lit streets, beautifully preserved architecture and iconic river. It was a great taster to the town and a brilliant way to orient ourselves to the area.
- Cooking Academy - I'm not a person that loves being in the kitchen but I found this class easy (and tasty) enough to follow along and thoroughly enjoy. We also got to make an excursion to the local rice paper mill and watch how it's made. Spoiler alert: It's not easy. Buy the ready-made packs at the shops.
- Foodie Vespa Adventure - If there's one activity you should definitely do in Hoi An (aside from actually visiting Hoi An itself), it's this. Riding pillion on the vintage Vespas, we got to taste all the best uniquely Hoi An foods including Banh Xeo (crispy pancake), Banh Bao Banh Vac (White Rose Dumplings) and Che (Vietnamese Sweet Dessert).
- Sampan Rhum Arrangé Experience - If you enjoy spirits and want to dive deeper into the region's local flavours, this experience is an absolute must. We got to sample five different varieties of Sampan Rhum (pure cane juice rum), learn how they're made and then make our own to take home. Fair warning: They're as delicious as they are potent.
- Yaly Couture - And let's not forget one of the many reasons to go to Hoi An - the tailor-made clothing. The Nam Hai operates a daily shuttle service to Yaly Couture, one of the best places to get your fit made. Yaly offers a quick turnaround (usually even 24 hours, depending on the complexity of the design) and can get your garments delivered to the resort. My tip: It's best to come prepared with exactly what you want. Yaly are great at reproducing exact replicas if you have the actual product with you and then all you have to do is choose from the different fabrics.
Best time to travel to Vietnam
The best time to visit Vietnam is generally during the spring (March to April) or autumn (September to November) for pleasant, dry weather across most of the country, although the best time depends on your specific interests and location. For Hoi An specifically anytime from February to June is a good time to visit for drier weather.
The writer travelled as a guest of Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai. Villas start from $1054 a night with a 20 per cent discount now when you book your stay in advance.
