Hoi An, Vietnam’s most anticipated luxury dinner cruise experience, The Merchant River Cruise, has brought an entirely new dimension to evenings on the Thu Bon River. Equal parts signature dinner cruise, private events venue, and cultural celebration, The Merchant River Cruise will likely become one of Central Vietnam’s most distinctive and sought-after experiences on the water.
The Merchant River Cruise offers an elegant 2.5-hour journey aboard a modern luxury vessel as it drifts downstream past riverside villages, quiet islets, and the golden sunset of UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town.
Owned and operated by Namia River Retreat — Hoi An’s first wellness-inclusive resort — The Merchant River Cruise shares the mindful dining spirit of The Merchant Restaurant at Namia.
The evening begins with sundowner cocktails and canapés on the open upper deck. Guests then settle in for a Five-course Spice Route inspired set menu, which celebrate market-fresh local ingredients, organic farm herbs, central coast seafood, and sustainably sourced meats. Cultural storytelling inspired by Hoi An’s ancient spice trade routes is woven throughout the journey, offering guests an intimate connection to the history of the Thu Bon River. Guests disembark with a curated artisanal gift as a small token of the evening’s spirit
Beyond the signature dinner cruise, The Merchant River Cruise is available for private charter, offering a bespoke floating venue for weddings, corporate gatherings, and other special events.
Namia River Retreat is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Virtuoso. Since opening in December 2024, the resort has been recognized for wellness offerings inspired by Vietnamese herbology, and hospitality.
