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

As a pioneer in this new trend, Luminary Wellness is the first wellness service brand developed in Vietnam. As an innovative consulting and service management company, the brand adopts a fresh approach to designing exceptional experiences that surpass conventional vacations, helping spas, resorts, and tourism businesses attract customers.

Luminary Wellness has been raising the bar for wellness services, contributing to a transformation of the hotel industry in Vietnam and creating a unique wellness ecosystem designed to ensure strong growth for each project. Key areas include building comprehensive hotel services with operations focused on overall well-being, developing wellness services under the guidance of industry professionals and experts, implementing sustainable programs with concrete action commitments, and focusing on creative design and branding.

Luminary Wellness prioritizes unlocking human potential, and its philosophy on food and nutrition education is integrated into its projects to nurture mind, body, and soul.

A prime example of Luminary Wellness's approach to fostering well-being is the project to transform Fusion Maia Da Nang into the independent brand TIA Wellness Resort. This innovative concept delivers retreats designed to activate creative energy, empowering guests to confidently make transformative personal changes.

For clients with no prior experience in mind-body wellness, the Wellness Inclusive program combines therapeutic treatments and imaginative activities, featuring villa stays with private pools, all-day breakfast, two spa treatments daily, breathing exercises, and creative workshops.

For guests seeking a more profound experience, the Retreat Inclusive retreat delves into inner exploration and unlocks personal potential with exceptional programs, such as in-depth mind-body guidance sessions and personalized pre- and post-retreat wellness programs via the TIA Bot app.

“The launch of this innovative concept builds upon the foundation of Fusion Maia, combining timely and meaningful tools to support clients in reshaping their lives post-Covid, at a top destination in the minds of travelers thanks to the strong growth of wellness tourism in Vietnam,” shared Michelle Ford, CEO and Founder of Luminary Wellness.

Luminary Wellness's next project is Namia River Sanctuary, a fusion of sustainable living and mindful wellness – a new trend in travel and experiencing the world. Nestled amidst pristine, lush gardens, this eco-tourism resort boasts private pool villas and spa pavilions, a bio-pool, a cafe serving nutritious vegetarian cuisine, and an academy offering classes on Vietnamese herbal medicine.

Namia River Sanctuary is built on a philosophy rooted in traditional Vietnamese herbal medicine, vegan nutrition, community spirit, and a focus on sustainable materials and bio-wood structures sourced from FSC-certified forests to minimize environmental impact.

“Hotel and resort owners, investors, and managers seeking to create a conscious, purposeful impact will resonate with our holistic approach to wellness. The return on investment will not be limited to financial gains but will also encompass delivering long-term well-being for guests, staff, the community, and the environment, through innovative and effective solutions and services,” said Trang Dinh, Business Development & Partnerships Director at Luminary Wellness.

As a pioneer in putting Vietnam on the world wellness map, Lumina Retreats – a private brand established and launched by Luminary Wellness in early 2022 – offers superior long-term benefits compared to conventional travel. Beyond focusing on physical health, these programs also aim to care for emotional and mental well-being, helping clients connect more deeply, understand others, and find meaning in life.

The Mekong Wellness Cruise offers a relaxing vacation designed to foster well-being and personal growth through exploration of the rich nature and culture of the Mekong River region. Meanwhile, the Halong Wellness Cruise provides an oasis of relaxation at sea, where wellness professionals guide guests on a journey to inner freedom and a deeper connection with nature.

Both itineraries combine exhilarating nature explorations, such as lush green islands and fascinating caves, local forests, and the enjoyment of unique local cuisine and culture. Simultaneously, the activities focus inward, connecting with intuition and emotions, and refining the body-mind connection. The culinary experiences, activities, and practices are thoughtfully designed to support guests on their transformative journey. Guests simply need to relax and enjoy the journey, feeling lighter and more peaceful upon completion of their retreat.

The setting is crucial for relaxing getaways, as it serves as a "paradise" where guests can focus on themselves and their inner world. With the Mekong Wellness Cruise, guests will experience Southeast Asia's largest river aboard the Victoria Mekong, one of the newest vessels in the region, a stylish design masterpiece.

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

The Halong Wellness Cruise is organized by Lumina Retreats in collaboration with its partner, Bhaya Group, sharing the same values ​​of wellness services to provide perfect customer experiences and build sustainable tourism. As a pioneering group organizing long-day cruise tours in Halong Bay with three luxury ship types: Au Co Luxury Cruise, Bhaya Premium & Legend Private Cruise, and Bhaya Classic Cruises, Bhaya continuously develops and seeks new and unique experiences for tourists.

Healthy nutrition, mindful movement practices, and nature excursions are central to every trip designed by Lumina Retreats. Each journey is the result of a research and innovation process, with each customer experience carefully considered to provide the best possible wellness experience. After each trip, ideas are further developed to ensure the program is always refined and innovative.

Each journey implemented by Lumina, in collaboration with a network of leading experts in Vietnam, is designed on an optimal platform for them to showcase their skills. As experts in diverse care and therapy fields, they elevate the client experience by unlocking individual potential and facilitating transformation.

Lumina Retreats has designed its own Wellness Spectrum and Food Spectrum levels to ensure consistency in product and service quality. On both the Mekong Wellness Cruise and Halong Wellness Cruise, healthy meals, mostly vegetarian and with light animal protein options (poultry, seafood, etc.), are served, providing sufficient clean nutrition to nourish the body.

Michelle Ford shared: “Our programs are designed to meet the needs of our clients at their ‘present moment’ on their body-mind-wellness journey, whether they are beginners or those ready to embark on a deeply transformative journey. We design schedules and select top professionals, as well as suitable locations for diverse wellness purposes. This allows clients to continue their wellness journey with us at any point in their lives. Vietnam is transforming and has the potential to achieve leadership in the wellness tourism industry, so we are very proud to be a part of this innovation.”

“No business can make an impact without its people. Our team consists of individuals who are pioneers in their fields, upholding true wellness values, with every detail of our services thoughtfully designed and implemented. They apply wellness to their daily lives, and each of their personal journeys of self-care contributes significantly to the company’s overall growth.”

Guided by a team of wellness experts united by a shared purpose of fostering mindful transformation in the community, clients will have the opportunity to connect with nature and the intellectual energy of Vietnam, while embarking on new adventures that enrich and bring greater peace to their lives.