A Weekend Retreat at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

I must admit I mistook Six Senses Ninh Van Bay as an island in the first place. The lofty mountains and the 20-minute boat ride gave me an illusion of a castaway. But in reality, this resort settles on a forested peninsula looking out to the dramatic Ninh Van Bay.

From the water, I could only see a carpet of green, dotted with grey boulders. The resort only reveals itself when the speed boat gets close to the crescent-shaped beach. In other words, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is a hideaway in the true sense.

Perhaps the reason that I am fond of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is the green outlook. The secluded resort blends traditional Vietnamese design with greenery, impressive rock formations, and a white sand beach. Similar to Six Senses Con Dao, the architects tried to preserve as much of the surrounding nature as possible, including many centuries-old trees and strewn boulders.

The result is 58 spacious villas tucked away in lush forests, nestled between rocks or perched on the mountain slope. All are constructed from natural and sustainably sourced materials, giving guests a sense of being close to nature. Yet the best thing is that panoramic ocean view is ubiquitous.

As our electric cart glided through the premises, my GEM (Guest Experience Maker) proudly introduced me to the three restaurants serving both Western and Vietnamese food. Two are located directly at the beach, while “Dining by the Rock” sits on a boulder-strewn mountain overlooking the pristine bay. At these restaurants, guests can opt for à la carte or a buffet that changes daily. Two stylish bars are also available where people can enjoy a drink under a starry night.

After a few minutes, I arrived at my home for a weekend – a two-story villa that has direct access to the beach. Like everything else in Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, straws, woods, and stones are the main construction materials of this building. And they were cleverly blended with modern amenities. Each villa is accompanied by two bicycles – a sustainable way to travel around the “island”.

The first floor is the sleeping area, with an ensuite bathroom, separate vanities, and a handcrafted wooden bathtub. It incorporates a muted palette of colors and rich timbers, providing aesthetics as well as a sense of calm. A glass door opens to a garden terrace where a plunge pool takes the central place. The second floor is an open-air lounge, featuring a teak day bed, a bar, a bamboo swing chair, and most important a spectacular ocean view.

The highlight of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is, however, the beach. I can recall how often I found myself sitting on the sand and staring off into the distance as the blue ocean dissolves into a horizon backdrop of sky and mountains. Even though Nha Trang’s beach is beautiful, the beach here is just swoon-worthy. It maintains a pristine appearance, including unspoiled white sand, crystal clear water, and dense deep-green forests.

There are coral reefs located just a stone’s throw away from the beach, making it ideal for snorkeling or diving excursion. Additionally, unlike other beaches in Vietnam, loud entertainment and noisy water sports are absent here. The only things that I could hear were the sounds of waves and wind in the trees. Therefore, Ninh Van Bay is perfect for whoever wants to get away from daily life and spend time relaxing.