What About Vietnam - S2-12 - Health and Wellness Retreats - What to look for, UPDATE - 2026

The transformation that comes from taking time out - Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness retreats is our focus for this episode and I am talking with the lovely Emma Sothern as she talks about what to look for in a retreat in Vietnam.This show is still keeping it's main story line, but I am including the link to Emma's new retreat you might be interested in, details here  - https://omwithemyoga.com/hoi-an-yoga-retreat/?mc_cid=d30c20d90f&mc_eid=5c941365ba You possibly can't even leave your own country yet, but when you can, you may want to think about a reboot of wellness and healing in a lush, welcoming, delicious, culturally diverse country like Vietnam. But how do you research and plan ahead for this kind of trip?  In my experience, it comes from "talking with the locals"I begin this episode by letting you know in advance that this is the first in a series of interviews with people offering different kinds of health and wellness retreats and modalities of wellness in Vietnam. They are mostly travellers who have decided to live in Vietnam and carry on their passion and teachings in their specialized fields of wellness. In today's program,  I'd love you to meet Emma Sothern.Emma is a lovely Irish girl who decided after extensive travel to make Hoi An her home. Emma runs her own retreats and offers classes and support to those with a condition she has been dealing with most of her life called Alopecia, an autoimmune condition, which she says has been easier to manage through the practice of yoga and mindfulness.You will find yourself drawn to Emma as she reminds us that a health retreat, no matter where it is, is NOT an overindulgence and should not be seen as such. Vietnam has its high end 5 * retreats mostly offered by the major hotels, and it also has the more grassroots versions that focus on a local and more immersive experience. You can spend a lot, or a little, to possibly achieve the same result. It's all about matching expectations in an environment you feel most confident will deliver the experience you desire.  "Just being" in a circle of people all doing the same thing Emma says is what people talk most about after they complete their stay.Post Covid I expect more people to be seeking this kind of experience, and I can think of no better place than Vietnam to do so.  As Emma says: “Just go for it”. We have been through a lot this past year and we deserve to nourish ourselves for mental health and happiness.See more about Emma’s retreats here - https://omwithemyoga.com/retreats/Check out Emma’s Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/omwithemyogaIf you would like to know more about Emma’s work supporting Alopecia, check out her page here https://www.ladyalopecia.com/Emma is running an online course a specialised "Yoga for Alopecia" online course on the 22nd of November, so you can join this from whatever country you are in - see here for detail https://www.ladyalopecia.com/yoga-for-alopecia/SUBSCRIBE through Apple, to the What About Vietnam Podcast.  It's FREE.Choose your favourite channels - Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Iheart Radio - https://whataboutvietnamtripplanning.buzzsprout.com/Check out our website for further Traveller information, Tours, Tips, Hints and Experiences to consider. www.whataboutvietnam.comEmail me for further information. I am happy to help: [email protected] rate, reviewFollow on your favourite pod channel, email directly to [email protected] Keep abreast of news on our social pages on FB, IG,LinkedIn and TikTokLet me design your #customised #private tour of Vietnam  - See our Travel ServicesDo you need a #Dental Procedure?  Why not find out what’s possible through our Dental and #Cosmetic Medical partner Worldwide Beauty Hospital. Mention #whataboutvietnam to receive 5% discount at Worldwide Beauty Hospital