As the sun slowly rose over the Son Tra Peninsula, I fluttered open my eyes and allowed its warm rays to wash over me.
Towering above stood a giant Lady Buddha — the tallest of its kind in Vietnam — keeping her watchful eye over my morning meditation.
The soothing voice of Tran Ly Du, wellness manager of nearby Tia Wellness Resort, instructed me to visualize a bright, warm light that slowly grew until it enveloped my entire body. The exercise felt quite appropriate, given
that the meditation was booked through a resort whose name translates to “a ray of light.”
As I emerged out of the meditative state, I soaked in my surroundings — the lapping ocean, and the slow inhales of my group, all participants of Tia’s signature “Breathe” tour, an excursion representing one of four key resort
pillars (along with the “Create,” “Flow” and “Nourish” pillars).
The writer (third from right) took part in the resort’s signature “Breathe” meditation tour.
Credit: 2024 Tia Wellness ResortA Holistic Approach to Wellness
Back at Tia and in front of a piping-hot bowl of pho, I took stock of my day: spa treatments, a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class, healthy meals and even a creative workshop — here I was given a canvas to paint or collage as a goal-setting exercise for the new year.
The variety of activities perfectly represents Tia’s multi-pronged approach to health, and an ideology that general manager Ramon Imper hopes guests will incorporate back home.
Unlike some resorts, he says, Tia doesn’t restrict guests; red meat, alcohol and a delectable lineup of sweets (albeit, sugar-free) are still offered (and, in my case, indulged in).
“Wellness is a spectrum,” he explained over our plant-based lunch at the resort’s poolside Ocean Bistro. “I like to say that it’s OK to drink wine in good company.”
Wellness is a spectrum. I like to say that it's OK to drink wine in good company.
From Fusion to Tia
Formerly the Fusion Maia Da Nang, the property emerged in 2021 as a wellness resort in what is an increasingly popular tourist destination on the country’s central coast (about halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is serviced by its own airport).
The on-site Wellness Center, which features 22 treatment rooms, is at the heart of the Tia Resort experience, and its menu is extensive, with 55 staff therapists on hand. Tia guests can choose from three packages: Wellness
Inclusive features two treatments per day (including massages, scrubs, wraps, facials and nail care); Retreat Inclusive offers an additional treatment and a vegan meal plan; and Private Retreats are completely customized, and include a raw diet on an intermittent fasting schedule and additional breathwork.
One Bedroom Pool villas feature a private pool.
Credit: 2024 Tia Wellness ResortMindful Resort Design
The resort itself is serene and calming, mixing minimalist design with neutral tones. My One-Bedroom Pool Villa featured a king-size bed, a living room and a garden with an outdoor shower and a plunge pool. But what was most impressive was the service. Case in point: After finishing a HIIT class and acupressure massage, a therapist handed me a ready-made glass of coconut water to replenish my electrolytes.
Later, as I departed Tia, I glanced at the Lady Buddha, visible from the resort’s beach. Imper told me her eyes always follow the viewer, and under her sweet gaze, I felt protected and present.
And thanks to Tia’s care, I was also relaxed, refreshed and excited for what was ahead.
