Along Vietnam’s central coast, just beyond the historic streets of Hoi An, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai sits between the sea and the countryside. The setting is calm and open, shaped by water, gardens, and the slow rhythm of daily life beyond the town.
From this base, the resort has introduced a new cultural experience that takes guests away from the expected and into the working traditions of the region. Designed as a full day journey, it centres on time spent with local cooks, artisans, and cultural specialists, offering insight through shared activity rather than observation.
The experience unfolds at an easy pace, combining wellness, private kitchens, and small, personal encounters in places rarely accessible to visitors. It is thoughtful and understated, creating space for genuine connection and a deeper understanding of Central Vietnam without ever feeling staged.
Starting the Day, the Vietnamese Way
The day begins at Heart of the Earth Spa with Vietnamese Bodywork, a treatment developed through generations of traditional practice. Using pressure points, gentle stretching, and steady, flowing movements, the experience helps release tension and bring the body into balance.
Surrounded by natural materials, soft light, and the quiet rhythm of the spa, the treatment serves as a calm transition into the day, allowing guests to slow down and focus on what follows.
“By spending time alongside the people who dedicate their lives to cooking, creating, and preserving tradition, guests gain a deeper and more unfiltered understanding of Central Vietnam.” Marcel Oostenbrink, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
From the resort, guests travel into the countryside to a private kitchen surrounded by working rice paddies and small farming communities. Here, the focus turns to tofu, a staple ingredient in Vietnamese home cooking. Guests begin by soaking and grinding soybeans, then move through heating, curdling, and pressing the mixture using traditional tools and methods.
The session also introduces plant-based cheese making, offering a contemporary interpretation of techniques rooted in preservation and resourcefulness. The host, raised in a tofu-making village, explains how seasonality, water quality, and temperature affect both texture and flavour. A sit-down vegan lunch follows, featuring regional dishes such as herb-forward soups, rice-based accompaniments, and freshly made tofu prepared in different styles.
In the afternoon, guests visit a gallery established to support Vietnamese artisanal work. The space brings together textiles woven on traditional looms, hand-carved wooden objects, and ceramic pieces fired using age-old techniques. Information on each piece highlights the maker, their community, and the time involved in production.
Over cups of cà phê phin, brewed slowly at the table, the gallery’s founder speaks about the economic realities facing craftspeople today. The discussion touches on pricing, supply chains, and the importance of long-term partnerships in sustaining traditional skills, offering guests a clearer understanding of how cultural heritage is maintained in practice
Where Flavour Comes Together
The final part of the day is dedicated to nước mắm, the fermented fish sauce central to Vietnamese cuisine. Guests take part in a guided tasting that explores variations in aroma, colour, and intensity, comparing traditional expressions with modern adaptations presented as sprays, serums, and emulsions.
The session concludes with a hands-on blending workshop, where guests create their own personalised nước mắm by adjusting ratios of fish sauce, citrus, sugar, and aromatics. The exercise demonstrates how balance is achieved in Vietnamese cooking and gives guests a practical reference point they can carry into their own kitchens.
Rooted in Place
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is an all-villa retreat set along Vietnam’s central coastline, close to Hoi An’s UNESCO-protected historic town. Recently awarded two Michelin keys, the resort is recognised for its architecture, wellness focus, and service.
With ocean views, tropical landscaping, and strong ties to the surrounding community, the resort has long offered cultural activities including cooking classes, lantern making, and cycling routes through nearby villages. This new immersive programme stands apart for its depth and intention, offering guests the opportunity to spend extended time with the people who continue to shape Central Vietnam’s cultural life.