Voyage
of Lanterns, you pass through a rainbow of
light – as the delicate paper structures hover
overhead, invisibly suspended, illuminating the
storybook streets of this ancient city. Once a
bustling port, it still breathes with a liveliness,
from the clamour of the morning waterfront
fishmarkettothelatenighthumofsewing
machines.HoiAn’sothernicknameistheCity
of Tailors and their skills, which have been
passed through generations, mean that bespoke
garments can be created in less than 24 hours.
Just beyond Hoi An to the north, the Four
Seasons Resort the Nam Hai is a beacon of calm
set along an expanse of buttery yellow beach.
A succession of infinity pools leads from the
entrance to the sand, framed by towering palms
and low slung buildings. Each villa – ranging
from one to five bedrooms – is angled
to optimise ocean views. The newly opened
resort speaks to Vietnam’s luxury travel
ascension, and yachts are welcomed by the
resort to anchor offshore and tender in to enjoy
the excellent restaurants and unique spa – both
reason enough to stop by.
Once ashore you can’t help but be bewitched
bytheresort’sspa-likeserenity–andthespa
itself is something to behold. The Heart of the
Earth Spa is modelled on Vietnamese spiritual
leader and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh’s
bookLove Letter to the Earth.Keepinginstep
withhiswriting,thespafocusesonan
awarenessofbeingatonewithEarth,and
treatmentsworktoalignguestswithnature’s
rhythms. Treatments are held in private pagodas
setoverapeacefullakeandmakeuseofcrystal
singingbowls.Thebowlstunethebodybackto
DETAILS
CATHAY PACIFIC
Cathay Pacific now offers three choices of route
betweentheUKandHongKong,andonwards
to more than 190 destinations globally. London
toDaNang,Firstreturn,from£6,581
cathaypacific.co.ukFOUR SEASONS
RoomsatFourSeasonsResorttheNamHai,
HoiAn,startfrom$675pernight
fourseasons.comAbove: Hoi An is known for
its lanterns, with monthly
festivals and street vendors
selling their creations.
Below left: cotton reels in
a Hoi An sewing factoryAbove: the Four Seasons
ResorttheNamHaiboasts
100 villas, ranging from one
to five bedrooms. Some have
infinity pools and direct
access to Ha My Beach, left