Why Da Nang, Vietnam is the hottest new wellness destination: head to InterContinental for sound healing and nature excursions or enjoy spa treatments and plant-based dining at Tia Wellness Resort

Jun 6 , 2023

InterContinental Danang in central Vietnam. Photo: InterContinental Danang

Da Nang is quickly becoming Asia’s top destination for holistic healing, with resorts like Bill Bensley-designed InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort and Tia Wellness Resort leading the pack

As the region is smaller and less crowded than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, it’s popular for those in search of a far-flung escape while being close to beach and jungle

The moment we hear a rustling in the jungle canopy, a hush falls upon the group as we ready our phone cameras, necks craned and eyes straining. The prize we are seeking is a family of critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs, one of the world’s rarest species of primates.

Finally, we spot the douc’s distinctive red legs and white tail as it lazily chews on leaves while peering at us curiously. “Where’s the bananas?” someone quips in a theatrical whisper.

Red-shanked douc langurs at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Photo: Handout

Right on cue, a juvenile leaps over to join in the feast and, to our delight, a family of three or four more monkeys swing into view, frolicking among the foliage. I fumble with my camera for a few moments before putting it away, preferring instead to savour this carefree moment.

Certainly, it is a treat to even catch a glimpse of this notoriously shy yet photogenic species, which can only be found in central Laos and Vietnam. Even better, we did not have to endure a long and sweaty trek deep into the jungle. Instead, we just hopped into an open-top safari-style buggy at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, led by zoologist Anthony Barker, the resort’s environmental and communications manager, driving only to the edge of the property.

Enjoy sea views and starlit evenings from your perch among the trees at the InterContinental Danang. Photo: Handout

I had travelled to the five-star resort in search of an escape from the concrete jungle and this monkey sighting was just the beginning. Terraced into a hillside, with rainforest all around and the East Vietnam Sea lapping at its foot, the 10-year-old resort was built to minimise its ecological impact, using local vernacular architecture accessorised with whimsical fixtures and fittings.

I certainly get my fair share of jungle life, especially with another species of monkey – the cheeky macaques – roaming happily in search of treats. (Barker urges us to refrain from feeding the wildlife any food, including bananas, as they may become overly reliant on human intervention and lose their foraging skills.)

Villas at the InterContinental Danang have their own pools, for when the sea seems impossibly far away … Photo: Handout

This resort is widely regarded as the breakout project of architect and landscape designer Bill Bensley, and he recently returned to oversee a series of refurbishments to mark its 10th year.

These include a new spa, an indoor/outdoor fitness centre and a gallery featuring his artwork, the proceeds of which are donated to various causes, including wildlife conservation in Southeast Asia. “My goal is to be a steward to the creatures who live here, and particularly to champion the endangered species of Vietnam,” says Bensley.