Many think of Hanoi, Halong Bay, Da Nang and Ho Chin Minh City when discussing a getaway to Vietnam. A popular country to getaway from the hustle of Singapore, seeing as it’s an easy and close (ish) flight away, Vietnam is a fantastic option if you’re looking to relax, reset and recharge.
But there is a place much less travelled and so very beautiful, where anyone seeking a digital detox and all-round health boost, should visit. It’s 30km north-west of Hue city, nestled in the mountains’ natural tranquility.
Alba Wellness Valley, by Fusion, offers guests next level in wellness and health retreats, because of its natural hot springs. Running throughout the resort, these hot springs are available to guests whatever time of the day. Even if you decide you want a midnight dip, they’re there. A true highlight of your stay, the mineral water sits at around 43 degrees constantly – and is actually cooled to this hot temperature by the resort, because it comes out of the ground at over 60 degrees Celsius.
But what do they do for you, aside from soothing notions akin to a hot bath? The healing powers of hot springs have been used for thousands of years and have been widely accepted in Europe and Japan as natural treatment options for various common ailments, such as boosting blood circulation, reducing stress and promoting sleep, relieving pain and healing skin problems.
Whilst these hot springs are worth the trip by themselves, the whole resort is breathtaking in terms of natural beauty and facilities to ensure guests leave revitalised, invigorated and having made some incredible memories too.
“Our healing waters find a path through the heart of our resort and move towards the optimal temperature as they make their journey,” he said. “We want our guests to embark on their own journey where they can find their wellness balance.” States Hylton Lipkin, general manager at Alba Wellness Valley.
Alba Wellness Valley now offers Wellness Voyage packages, launched only two months ago, for those seeking sanctuary on a 360 level. Or, for those who like everything organised and planned for them, so they can arrive and simply dive into their retreat.
For my stay, I took the 5-day wellness voyage package and stayed in their one bedroom bungalow, overlooking the main pool. The bungalows are stunning. Designed to emulate a Vietnamese rustic style, using eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, stone and wood, the bungalows are pure zen. The bungalows come with romantic in-door and out-door bathrooms which are fully equipped for your entire relaxation, as well as a large terrace and small garden. They still have all the modern amenities, including flat screen TV, air con and free wifi.
The whole week was back-to-back of activities and treatments, and yet also offered a lot of free time to chill. I felt both energised and rested. The schedule has been clearly carefully planned. This schedule also includes a wellness assessment upon arrival, to ensure the staff and you are aware of your overall health level before you embark on your journey.
For the pampering aspect of my package, aside from frequenting the hot springs in the evening, every day I got to enjoy the Japanese onsen, followed by a treatment of my choice. Having never entered an onsen before, I was initially a little, shall we say, nervous about being naked in a public bath area, but you soon lose that once you’re enjoying the 7-step baths, looking out onto greenery via the large glass wall. The onsens are separated for genders, I might add. Following my onsen in the spa, I enjoyed multiple full-body massages, foot-mapping, facial and a full body scrub too. Every day was different, and just as good as the last.
For the active side – because wellness and health doesn’t just mean lying down in a bath or spa bed, I got to bike ride throughout the local area before breakfast, hike the mountains, enjoy the on-site zipline and high ropes, water meditation, yoga and aqua yoga. Both the bike ride and mountain hike meant a 6am wake-up call, but it was totally worth it. I also got to visit the local Pagoda and have tea in the temple with a Buddhist monk – a very humbling and eye-opening experience. I also loved the 7am water meditation in the natural hot springs – an amazing way to start the day.
As for the food, on my wellness voyage programme I had a specific menu for lunch and dinner – but the options were plentiful. I always enjoyed three courses at every meal time and the buffet breakfast was superb, offering every possible food option to satisfy. It’s not one of those retreats where you’re confined to blended juices all week – that is not the aim or the method. You are constantly full and treated to healthy, delicious foods.
I also got to enjoy a cooking class at Alba’s organic farm, where the chef taught me how to make traditional Vietnamese delights, such as their tasty-yet-light vegetable hand rolls. I also received, throughout the day, detox fresh fruit smoothies and a turn-down tea before bed, that was brought to our bungalow to enjoy.
It’s hard to put into words the ‘feeling’ you have when you’re at Alba Wellness Valley, but as soon as I left I wanted to return. It offers you the most peaceful setting to disconnect from any work or personal worries, and just get back to being ‘you’ again. It enables you to realign your mental and physical health, find your personal ‘sweet’ spot again and then return back to your normal routine healthier, happier and ready to take on the world.
