Ocean Bliss & Caffeine Hits in Vietnam

From colonial elegance to questionable decisions…

From Chiang Mai, I flew to Bangkok, where I teamed up with my colleague Chris Crampton for our journey to Danang, Vietnam. The flight was spectacular looking down over Laos and Vietnam’s Central Highlands, before landing at Danang’s beautiful and super-efficient airport. However, the heat was no joke, so an air-conditioned car was very welcome. Our drive along China Beach took us past resort after resort, interspersed with a glitzy casino, but soon gave way to serene farmland as we neared Hoi An. After an hour, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness appeared out of the darkness – an unexpected colonial-style retreat nestled in lush, manicured gardens, with the sound of the ocean in the background – it was breathtaking (and not just because of the sweltering heat)!

We met with Carmen, the amazing General Manager, and after a quick refresh, made a beeline for the rooftop bar. With a cold beer in hand, I made a crazy decision – agreeing to a bike ride in 37-degree heat the next morning. Bikes are provided free to guests, so why not? Chris’s slack-jawed silence was priceless. After a solid night’s sleep in wonderfully efficient air-conditioning, we saw Bliss Resort in daylight—magnificent! Manicured gardens tended to by an army of workers, a beautiful pool and spa all nestled in a semicircle of resort buildings facing the beach. It’s hard to believe there are 1,000 palm trees within the resort’s boundary.

From pedal power to coffee cravings…

After a quick breakfast, Chris and I (thankfully not in lycra) wobbled off on our bikes, bow-legged, like two circus chimps on wheels. We cycled to the nearby fisherman’s landing (just a 10-minute walk along the beach from the resort), a  bustling atmospheric hub where fishermen sell their catch of freshly caught glistening fish. You need to get there early to see it in full flow as it’s usually over by 8am.

We wobbled around on our bikes for another half hour, weaving through local cafes and shops, before the need for caffeine won the day and we stopped at a very local coffee shop, full of families with kids. As two sweat-soaked Westerners, we were the subject of much amusement, but the coffee was excellent so it was well worth the unwanted attention.

Refueled by caffeine, we pedalled back to Bliss Resort, where we were greeted like returning heroes. I suspect the staff was just relieved we hadn’t succumbed to heat exhaustion—imagine the paperwork!

From luxe living to seaside serenity…

After changing into dry clothes (again) we took a proper look around the resort. Let me tell you, the gardens are spectacular – just two years old and already thriving!

The rooms are surprisingly large. Even the lowest category, Deluxe, located from ground to the 2nd floor, are huge. And then you have the Ocean Deluxe from the 3rd to 5th floors; Indochine, which reflect the culture of the region; and Bungalows and Pool Villas. Each category is unique and all are wonderful.

The enormous infinity pool and pool bar are lovely and very inviting. The gardens lead directly onto the beach – and ‘spectacular’ doesn’t do it justice. Imagine miles of fine, deserted sandy shores with nothing around but a quaint village. Now when I say deserted, that’s
exactly what I mean – utterly raw and magnificent. It feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere, yet the historic town of Hoi An is just 20-minutes away via the resort’s free shuttle bus. Talk about having the best of both worlds!

The spa is gorgeous and is located in its own building, offering an array of treatments. The Steam Room made us shake our heads given the heat produced naturally outside!

From aspiring baristas to rooftop philosophers…

A quirky highlight of our trip was being the guinea pigs for a new guest experience – a coffee-making class! Vietnam, like much of Southeast Asia, has a deep love for coffee, with each region brewing it in its own unique way. We got hands-on and made four different concoctions, including one with raw eggs (surprisingly delicious) and another with condensed milk (childhood memories). It was a weirdly wonderful and fun way to spend an hour, and by the end, we were buzzing around like a couple of cats with the zoomies from all that caffeine!

The rest of the day and evening were much more tranquil, with time to soak in the resort’s ambiance. The staff, always smiling and eager to help, made everything feel effortless. Dinner at the restaurant was top-notch, and for our final night, the rooftop bar became our refuge. With ocean views and the twinkling lights of fishing boats in the distance, it was the ideal place to contemplate life and the perfect ending to our short but unforgettable stay at this incredible resort.

Next stop? Back to Thailand for a visit to Bayphere Hotel Pattaya on fabulous Jomtien Beach…