As we celebrate the start of the year of the dragon this February, TIA Wellness Resort in Vietnam is embracing the mythical creature’s traits with a one-of-a-kind lunar new year program for visitors.
“Our Tet [Lunar New Year] activities are inspired by the dragon’s symbolism for strength, good fortune and transformation,” said Ramon Imper, general manager of TIA Wellness Resort. “Given that the Lunar New Year is a time of renewal and new beginnings, we wanted all that we offered to cultivate prosperity, reflection and fresh starts.”
Mindful Activities to Start the Year of the Dragon
Guests can pick and choose what they’d like to join over the three days of Tet celebrations. The festivities begin on Friday, February 9th with “Reflection of the Year of the Rabbit” at 2:30pm. This creative workshop is designed to help participants reflect on the past year, express gratitude for all the experiences from the last twelve months and move forward afresh.
The evening brings a “Wishing Lantern Ceremony” at 7pm. Guests will come together for a mindful ceremony amidst the property’s lush, tropical wellness garden and set intentions for a prosperous year ahead.
On Saturday, February 10th the TIA team will host a 45-minute “Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meditation” at 6am. To nature’s soundtrack of waves against the shore, participants will cultivate positive energy through a gratitude meditation. Practicing gratitude is a science-backed way to help people feel more positive, improve health, and build stronger relationships.
At 9:30am rhythmic drums will be the background music for a traditional dragon dance, where performers will parade around the resort’s main pool and restaurant in a ritual that is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck and blessings.
Guests also have the option to visit a local pagoda at 11am where they’ll pick their lucky number and receive a fortune for the year ahead. The pagoda visit, inclusive of transport, is complimentary.
On Sunday, February 11th an early morning excursion is planned for the Marble Mountains, a cluster of limestone hills named after the elements. At 6am guests will depart before the crowds arrive to explore the ancient caves, intricate pagodas, offer prayers for the year ahead and show thankfulness for the year that has passed.
Lunar New Year Nourishment at TIA
The “Sweet Tet Afternoon Tea” at 3pm on Sunday was designed to introduce traditional sweets eaten during the holiday, show the significance of sharing, and spark conversations about this important day in Vietnamese culture.
“Food is a quintessential element of celebrating Tet in Vietnam,” explained Ramon. “Many dishes hold significance and are often as much an offering as they are to be enjoyed.”
From February 9th – 13th the wellness resort is offering three special menus at The Dining Room along with themed buffets. On the 9th, 11th and 13th they’re serving up a Traditional Vietnamese Family Style Tet tasting menu with dishes including an abalone and sea ginseng soup, fish cakes on sugarcane with fresh herbs and pickles, and a rich beef stew served in a clay pot. Guests can also choose between The Dragon Feast Tasting Menu and its plant-based equivalent. The first highlights local seafood with saffron snow fish soup and fresh lobster in a ginger scallion sauce on the menu. The plant-based option includes a coconut green soup with spicy chickpeas and a creamy vegetable risotto. The five course menus range in price and start at VND 1,600,000 ++ per person, VND 2,600,000 ++ inclusive of a curated organic wine pairing.
On February 10th there will be a seafood buffet and a piano performance for VND 1,250,000 ++ per person, with an array of freshly-caught seafood such as lobsters, oysters and prawns. An Asian BBQ buffet on the 12th offers an abundance of flavors from around the region and a Vietnamese band providing live music. Each day of Tet the Ocean Bistro is serving up an Oyster and Champagne feast with prices starting from VND 990,000 ++ for 2 people.
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