The Merchant River Cruise Launches on the Thu Bon River in April 2026

HOI AN, VIETNAM (March 2026) -- The Thu Bon River has carried fishermen, traders, storytellers, and dreamers along its banks for centuries. This summer, the river welcomes something new. 

The Merchant River Cruise, Hoi An’s most anticipated luxury dinner cruise experience, will officially set sail in May 2026, bringing an entirely new dimension to evenings on the Thu Bon River. Equal parts signature dinner cruise, private events venue, and floating cultural celebration, The Merchant River Cruise, owned by Namia River Retreat, is set to become one of Central Vietnam's most distinctive and sought-after experiences on the water. 

Rooted in seasonal abundance and cultural storytelling, The Merchant Cruise echoes Hoi An’s legacy as an ancient maritime trading port. Carrying the same mindful dining spirit of The Merchant Riverside Restaurant

at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An’s first wellness-inclusive resort with all private pool villas, The Merchant Cruise offers an intimate, elegantly curated 2.5-hour journey aboard a modern luxury vessel designed for both joyous gatherings and quiet, unhurried evenings.

A New Kind of Evening in Hoi An

As the afternoon softens into dusk, guests board the Cruise at Namia River Retreat's private Merchant pier, and drift gently downstream along the Thu Bon River, past riverside villages, quiet islets, and the glowing sky of UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town. 

The evening unfolds in its own unhurried rhythm. Sundowner cocktails and canapés are served on the open upper deck. Guests then settle in for a modern Vietnamese harvest buffet and seasonal terrace BBQ, which celebrate market-fresh local ingredients, organic farm herbs, a fresh Lang Co oyster bar, 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 beneath them.

The return journey brings a quieter pace, with desserts inspired by the spice route, fair-trade teas and Vietnam-single-origin coffee, and a gentle passage past the distant lanterns as the river settles into evening calm. Guests disembark with a postcard of Hoi An and a curated artisanal gift as a small token of the evening's spirit.

Designed For Mindful Luxury

The Merchant River Cruise is available at three package levels, from a classic buffet dinner with complimentary water, tea, and coffee, to a premium experience inclusive of sustainable and sparkling wine, ensuring a considered experience for every occasion. Children under six join complimentary, and groups of five or more are welcomed with a dedicated group offer.

Guests are also invited to extend their evening with an exclusive post-cruise happy hour at The Merchant Riverside Restaurant, with 20% off all beverages from 20:00 to 22:00.

For Every Occasion on the Water

Beyond the signature dinner cruise, The Merchant River Cruise is available for exclusive private charter, offering a fully bespoke floating venue for weddings, anniversaries, proposals, family milestones, and corporate gatherings against the backdrop of the Thu Bon River and the glowing skyline of the Ancient Town.

For those seeking something genuinely unlike anything Hoi An has offered before, an evening that moves, that surprises, and that carries the warmth of this extraordinary town onto the water, The Merchant River Cruise represents exactly that.

The Floating Extension of Namia River Retreat

The Merchant River Cruise is an extension of The Merchant Riverside Restaurant, and of Namia River Retreat - Hoi An's first wellness-inclusive resort with all private pool villas and a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Located on the Con Ba Xa Islet along the Thu Bon River, Namia River Retreat is home to 60 luxury private pool villas and has established itself, since its opening in December 2024, as one of Vietnam's most celebrated wellness-inclusive destinations, recognized internationally for the wellness offerings inspired by Vietnamese herbology, genuine cultural celebrations, and heartfelt Vietnamese hospitality.

The Merchant River Cruise carries that same spirit of intention, luxury, and cultural depth onto the river, bringing Namia's signature warmth and standards of care to guests who may be staying anywhere in Hoi An, and to those who simply feel the pull of the water.

Practical Information

DEPARTURE PIER: The Merchant River Cruise & Restaurant, Namia River Retreat 

ADDRESS: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Da Nang City, Vietnam 

CRUISE DURATION: 2.5 hours 

CHECK-IN: 17:00 - 17:15 | Departure: 17:30 - 17:45 | Return: 19:30 - 19:45 

RATES: From VND 1,900,000 per person (inclusive of taxes and service charge) 

Children 6–11: 50% off | Children under 6: Complimentary

Reservations & Enquiries

Advance reservations are recommended as capacity is limited.

WEBSITE: www.merchanthoian.com 

EMAIL: book@merchanthoian.com  |  Phone: 0235 3969 888

For media enquiries and press visits:

Namia River Retreat - Sales & Marketing Department: digital@namiariverretreat.com 

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ABOUT THE MERCHANT RIVER CRUISE & RESTAURANT

The Merchant is the signature riverside dining destination of Namia River Retreat, drawing inspiration from Hoi An's rich legacy as an ancient international trading port. Celebrating the layered cultural influences and seasonal flavours of Central Vietnam, The Merchant honors local producers, market-fresh ingredients, and the stories that have traveled along the Thu Bon River for centuries. The Merchant River Cruise extends this spirit onto the water, bringing a luminous dinner cruise experience of culture, flavor, and mindfulness in motion.

ABOUT NAMIA RIVER RETREAT

Opened on 15 December 2024, Namia River Retreat - managed by Lumina Wellbeing - is Hoi An's first wellness-inclusive resort with all private pool villas, nestled on the tranquil Con Ba Xa Islet along the Thu Bon River in UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town, and a proud member of both Small Luxury Hotels of the World and Virtuoso. Home to 60 luxury private pool villas, Namia River Retreat offers inclusive daily wellness journeys inspired by Vietnamese herbology, mindful rituals, and sustainable dining. 

Website: www.namiariverretreat.com