Considered a potential destination for wellness tourism in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is on the verge of strong development, creating opportunities for businesses to participate in an exciting revolution. As awareness of transformational and healing tourism increases, spa, resort and tourism services will need to prepare to meet this demand if they want to be part of the new chapter of the tourism industry.

As a pioneer in this new trend, Luminary Wellness is the first wellness service brand (therapy, body-mind-body care) developed in Vietnam. As a creative service management and consulting unit, the brand chooses a new approach in designing experiences that are superior to the usual vacation, helping spa, resort, travel brands... attract customers.

Luminary Wellness has been raising the bar for wellness services, contributing to changing the overall face of the hospitality industry in Vietnam, making a difference with a tailor-made wellness ecosystem to ensure strong growth for each project. Key areas include building comprehensive hospitality services with operations geared towards general well-being, developing wellness services with the guidance of industry experts and specialists, sustainable programs with specific action commitments, and creative - design - branding orientation.

Luminary Wellness prioritizes unlocking human potential, and food philosophy and nutrition education are also integrated into projects to nourish mind, body and soul.

A prime example of Luminary Wellness’ approach to evoking wellbeing is the project to transform the Fusion Maia Danang brand into the independent TIA Wellness Resort. This new concept offers retreats designed to activate creative energy, empowering guests to make life-transforming personal changes.

For guests who have never experienced a mind-body experience before, the Wellness Inclusive program combines therapies and activities that open the imagination, with stays in villas with private pools, all-day breakfast, two daily spa treatments, breathing classes, and creative workshops.

For guests seeking a deeper experience, the Retreat Inclusive vacation delves into inner exploration and unlocks personal potential with cutting-edge programs, such as intensive mind-body care sessions, and pre- and post-retreat wellness programs tailored specifically for guests via the TIA Bot app.

“The launch of this innovative concept builds on the foundation of Fusion Maia, combining timely and meaningful tools to support customers reshaping their lives post-Covid, in a destination that is top of mind for travelers thanks to the strong growth of wellness tourism in Vietnam,” said Michelle Ford, CEO and Founder of Luminary Wellness.

Luminary Wellness’ next project is Namia River Sanctuary, a fusion of sustainable living and conscious wellness – a new way of travelling and experiencing the world. Set amidst lush, pristine gardens, this eco-resort features villas with private pools and spa huts, a bio-pool, a cafe serving healthy vegetarian food and an academy offering classes on Vietnamese herbs.

Namia River Sanctuary builds its philosophy on traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine, vegan nutrition, community, and focuses on sustainable materials, bio-wood structures from FSC-certified forests to minimize environmental impact.

“Hotel and resort owners, investors and managers looking to make a conscious, purposeful impact will resonate with our holistic approach to wellness. The return on investment will not only be financial, but will also include the long-term well-being of guests, employees, communities and the environment, while delivering innovative, effective solutions and services,” said Trang Dinh, Director of Business Development & Partnerships at Luminary Wellness.

With a pioneering role in making Vietnam's mark on the world wellness map, Lumina Retreats' vacations - a private brand founded by Luminary Wellness and launched in early 2022 - bring long-term benefits that surpass conventional tourism. Not only focusing on improving physical health, these programs also aim to take care of emotional and mental health, helping customers have deeper connections, understand others, and find meaning in life.

The Mekong Wellness Cruise offers a relaxing holiday, designed to inspire happiness and personal growth through exploring the rich nature and culture of the Mekong River region. Meanwhile, the Halong Wellness Cruise offers a resort oasis at sea, where wellness experts guide guests on a journey to find inner freedom and learn to connect deeply with nature.

Both itineraries combine exhilarating nature explorations, including lush islands and fascinating caves, local forests, and unique local cuisine and culture. At the same time, the activities also turn inward to tap into intuition, emotions, and refine the mind-body connection. The culinary experiences, activities, and practices are all thoughtfully designed to support guests on their transformational journey. Guests simply relax and enjoy the journey, leaving them feeling lighter and more at peace.

The setting for a retreat is important, as these are “paradise gardens” for guests to focus on themselves and their inner world. With the Mekong Wellness Cruise, guests will experience the largest river in Southeast Asia on the Victoria Mekong, one of the newest ships in the region, a masterpiece of stylish design.

With the Halong Wellness Cruise, the luxury Au Co cruise brings a nostalgic feeling with its Indochinese design style. From here, visitors can admire the panoramic view of Ha Long - Lan Ha Bay with majestic limestone mountains, clear blue sea and fertile nature reserve.

Halong Wellness Cruise is organized by Lumina Retreats in collaboration with Bhaya Group, with the same values ​​of wellness services to bring perfect customer experiences and build sustainable tourism. As a pioneer group in organizing long-term cruise tours in Ha Long Bay with 3 luxury cruise lines: Au Co luxury cruise, Bhaya Premium & Legend private cruise, and Bhaya Classic cruise, Bhaya is constantly developing and looking for new and unique experiences for tourists.

Healthy nutrition, mindful movement practices, and nature walks are at the heart of every trip Lumina Retreats designs. Each itinerary is the result of a process of Innovation and Design research, with each guest experience carefully considered to bring the best results for guests in their wellness journey. After each trip, ideas are further developed to ensure the program is always more complete and innovative.

Each journey is implemented by Lumina, in collaboration with a network of leading experts in Vietnam, on an optimal platform for them to demonstrate their skills. As experts in many diverse fields of care and therapy, they help elevate the customer experience by awakening personal potential and facilitating transformation.

The Wellness Spectrum and Food Spectrum are specifically designed by Lumina Retreats as a tool to ensure consistency in product and service quality. On both Mekong Wellness Cruise and Halong Wellness Cruise, healthy meals, mostly vegetarian and light animal protein dishes (poultry, seafood) are served, providing enough clean nutrition to nourish the body.

“Our programs are designed to meet the needs of our clients at their “present point” on their mind-body journey, whether they are new to the practice or ready to embark on a more profound transformation,” said Michelle Ford. “We tailor our itineraries and curate top-notch specialists and locations to suit a variety of wellness goals, allowing our clients to continue their wellness journey with us at any point in their lives. Vietnam is transforming and poised to become a leader in wellness tourism, and we are proud to be part of this transformation.”

“No business can make a mark without its people. Our team is a pioneer in their field, upholding true wellness values, with every detail of our services designed and implemented with intention. They apply wellness to their daily lives, and each of their personal journeys of self-care contributes meaningfully to the overall development of the company.”

With guidance from a team of wellness experts with a common goal of bringing mindful transformation to the community, guests will have the opportunity to connect with nature and with the flow of intellectual energy in Vietnam, and embark on new adventures that enrich their lives and bring more peace.