Pampering is a must at boutique beachfront TIA Wellness Resort, in Vietnam, where alternative and traditional treatments—from sound healing sessions and Reiki-infused massages to detox hydrotherapy circuits—take center stage on four– and seven-night private retreats designed exclusively for solo travelers.

It’s a little after 6 a.m., and I’m sitting beside an ornamental pond at the Linh Ung Pagoda, a famous Buddhist temple near Da Nang city on Vietnam’s tropical central coast. Eyes closed, I inhale deeply and hold for eight counts before letting it go with a long sigh. “Our body is in one place, but the mind is often somewhere else,” says Dư Trần, my personal guide at this sleek all-villa hideaway resort where I had spent the last five days flitting between yoga classes, art workshops and spa therapies. “The breath is always communicating with us, but we need to slow down and learn how to listen,” she adds, inviting me to repeat the pattern at my own pace. 

Vietnam’s top all-spa inclusive resort

Swathed in old-growth forests, Monkey Mountain on the Son Tra Peninsula was slowly coming to life as birdsong rose to meet the sound of monks at morning prayer in the main hall. Anchored by the serene Lady Buddha statue—a 220-foot vision in white marble said to bestow local fishermen with good fortune among the waves—the pagoda, whose name Linh Ung means “wishes answered miraculously” in Sino-Vietnamese, is a divine destination to spend my last morning at TIA and experience one of the resort’s four signature wellness tours. Offered exclusively on weeklong private retreats they embrace its key wellness pillars: Nourish, Flow, Create, and for this one, Breathe. 

Formerly Fusion Maia, after a top-to-toe revamp during the pandemic, TIA Wellness Resort debuted in 2021 with a new all-spa inclusive concept (nightly rates include two wellness treatments per guest) and a slew of holistic therapies that soon drew glow-getters from Southeast Asia, plus in-the-know American travelers looking to hit reset somewhere farther flung. 

Around 18 hours of flight time with a stopover are required to land in Da Nang from the U.S., but the journey is soon forgotten when you walk into TIA. Located along My Khe Beach and set among tropical gardens, the original property was based on former imperial palace, the Forbidden City, in nearby Huế, Vietnam’s ancient capital. It’s a picturesque setting framed by the South China Sea and a palm tree-studded sweep of golden sand.

Private retreats focus on healing and personal growth

Exclusively tailored to single travelers, personal wellness guides are assigned before arrival. Dư ran through my schedule and retreat intentions over a pot of welcome tea in sleek lobby-style bar, The Art Lounge. She also helped me download the TIA app, which provides access to wellness tools and menus. Inspired by the resort's “Eat Light, Feel Bright” ethos, the optional plant-based meal plan complemented my goals—think less counting almonds and more making better food choices with delicate but well-portioned dishes like raw lasagna and chilled watermelon soup. The star of any stay at TIA though is the Wellness Centre, whose 22 treatment rooms surround an oasis-like central garden and meditative waterfall pool where I spent much of my time. 

The private Creative Healing Retreat plan comprised twice-daily fitness classes: Mornings began with a 7 a.m. yoga flow followed by a private breathwork class after breakfast—Dư introduced several techniques, including a pranayama “Bee Breath” named for the humming sound made while exhaling she said helps to soothe busy minds—with a chilled-out tai chi session in the afternoon. Daily therapies ranged from master Reiki and crystal wand reflexology to a blissful massage before bed each night. Returning to find little gifts left during turndown service—a pebble etched with the mantra “Just Breathe” and a floating paper lantern to make a wish during the full moon—were lovely extra touches. Between treatments, there was enough time to sunbathe beside the infinity pool, take a beach stroll and relax in my villa, a chic affair with an inviting plunge pool, before padding back to the spa to balance chakras and channel my inner artist a little more before heading home. tiawellnessresort.com