Will mind-body therapy take over the wellness tourism industry?

Will caring for body, mind, and spirit "dominate" the leisure tourism industry?

The concept of "health" in travel gradually expanded from the end of 2021, when physical illness was no longer the sole concern. People worldwide adapted to isolation, the sudden disappearance of numerous social interactions, and were forced to change their daily routines. This resulted in various forms of self-care – from physical to mental – becoming a necessity that people, especially urban dwellers, were willing to spend (a lot of) money on.

In its Global Health Economics report published at the end of 2021, the Global Health Institute (GWI) projected an annual growth rate of 21% for the healthcare tourism industry from 2020 to 2025. The report also revealed that this type of tourism is expected to surpass all other sectors of the healthcare industry as a whole.

Globally, hotels and resorts focused on body-mind-care are emerging with massive investments, most notably in Western countries such as the United States, Mexico, France, and Greece. These tourism centers primarily concentrate on connecting the human body with the mind, aiming for sustainable tourism and utilizing therapies such as: natural cleansing; animal care and recreation; enjoying regional cuisine linked to local culture; meditation and yoga… In general, each place will have its own approach, but all aim for a resort experience in harmony with nature, combining local values ​​with services that care for the body, mind, and spirit.

In Vietnam, wellness tourism combining body, mind, and spirit therapy has become increasingly familiar to travelers over the past two years. Zannier Hotel Bai San Ho, Avana Retreat Mai Chau, Topas Ecolodge Sapa... are some notable examples. More recently, An Lam Retreats Saigon River has made a significant comeback with a new concept, focusing on a comprehensive and in-depth experience for guests.

What elements make up a resort that cares for body, mind, and spirit?

Relaunched in March as a wellness resort focusing on body, mind, and spirit,An Lam Retreats Saigon RiverIt has quickly gained the attention of travel enthusiasts recently. Familiar names such as Miss Thuy Tien, Miss Tieu Vy, singer Quang Vinh, the Cam Cam family, food blogger Dino Vu... have all checked in at this place with positive reviews.

According to An Lam,conceptThe balance of body, mind, and spirit in a resort is built upon four main elements: Enjoyment, Relaxation, Balance, and Training. Specifically, how are these elements manifested in a resort? Let's explore with Travellive.

Enjoy & Relax

The first advantage of An Lâm Retreats Saigon River is its unique geographical location. Nestled peacefully beside the Saigon River, the resort boasts a "waterfront" setting, meaning "the river flows in front." This creates an airy living space, promoting good health and minimizing negative environmental impacts. Here, guests can experience a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature, connecting their body and mind, even while sleeping.

Interestingly, both the restaurant and lounge at An Lâm Retreats Saigon River share the name "Lotus." Instead of evoking exotic foreign cuisine, the food here is rooted in natural, local elements. The Lotus restaurant serves Asian dishes combined with Western cooking techniques, using fresh, clean, and seasonal local ingredients. Similarly, the drinks are a blend of tradition and modernity: from classic premium wines to fruit juices, Vietnamese filter coffee, kombucha, herbal teas, and lotus tea, etc.

Balance & Training

The remaining two elements aimed at creating a balance of body, mind, and spirit at An Lam Retreats Saigon River are Balance and Training, expressed through health therapy services or experiential and exploratory activities.

The resort's spa treatment program includes mind-body healing therapies such as acupressure, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, and singing bowl therapy; all specially designed by health expert Avinash from India, with 20 years of experience in health therapy.

Specifically, during their stay, guests will receive personalized advice on their health condition, as well as recommendations on therapy and diet, aiming for improvement from the inside out.

In addition, An Lam Retreats Saigon River offers beneficial, "green" experiences that take place daily, such as fishing, learning to roast coffee manually, learning to make coconut oil, and making soap from recycled materials, etc.

"What impressed me most about An Lam is how the resort utilizes the flow of the Saigon River in its resort design. Water is one of the elements that brings balance to body, mind, and spirit. I felt the water here carried great energy: peaceful, spreading throughout the entire resort," - musician Duc Thinh shared his feelings after staying at An Lam Retreats Saigon River.

Duc Thinh is not an unfamiliar name to Vietnamese music fans. In recent years, he has also become known for his musical activities associated with the philosophy "music heals all".Music heals all wounds.). On the reopening day of An Lam Retreats Saigon River, musician Duc Thinh was also a special guest, bringing performances that offered "healing" through music.

The potential for the development of mind-body therapy in Vietnam.

Although it has been present in Vietnam for several years, wellness retreats combining body, mind, and spirit therapy are still a new concept for many Vietnamese travelers. This is especially true when An Lâm Retreats Saigon River introduces this method.healing through musicAt the resort's grand opening event, not all attendees immediately embraced it.

As the person directly coordinating this program, musician Duc Thinh recounted: "Some people already knew about the healing effects of music, so they enthusiastically participated; others joined out of curiosity; and some participated 'reluctantly' because it was a pre-arranged program during their stay at the resort. But after my performance ended, some audience members proactively contacted me to schedule a private experience later. They were captivated, even though they hadn't been enthusiastic before."

With professional and in-depth therapeutic programs gradually becoming more widely available in Vietnam, coupled with the increasing need for mental well-being among urban residents, it's predictable that the development of mind-body care services will continue in the near future. Mindfulness-themed resorts, sound therapy activities, and detox tours will soon become diverse and familiar to Vietnamese people.

But will this be a fleeting trend?

"It's true that caring for body, mind, and spirit has flourished since the Covid-19 pandemic, but I don't think this need will disappear once the pandemic is over. Because I believe,closeNo matter how far or how deep a person's journey may be, in the end, they only return to themselves.mind"Me" - said musician Duc Thinh.

Lam Oanh (Photo: Ngoc Tran)