Namia River Retreat to Host Dinner Duet with French Chef & TV Host Benoît Chaigneau and Namia’s Own Executive Chef Thu Lê

An intimate, one-night-only culinary celebration on Saturday 6th December at

Namia River Retreat

HOI AN, VIETNAM, NOVEMBER  2025:  Namia River Retreat announces  Dinner Duet, a one-night-only culinary experience on Saturday, 6 December 2025 at The Merchant. Co-hosted by French Chef and TV Host Benoît Chaigneau and Namia’s Executive Chef Thu Lê, the evening pays homage to Vietnam’s culinary heritage—particularly the deep cultural legacy of fish sauce—through contemporary interpretations and immersive storytelling.

The Merchant is Namia River Retreat’s all-day dining experience serving authentic Vietnamese food inspired by the ancient trading port and exotic merchants of East and West. 

Inspired by Flavours & Beyond, the acclaimed VTV4 series, the dinner will bring together gastronomy, culture, and narrative. Guests will enjoy reimagined traditional dishes, guided flavour explorations by Chu Ben (Mam House) and Phan Chi, and a shared table experience designed for curious palates and culinary enthusiasts.

EVENT DETAILS

Date & Time: 18:30–21:00 | 6 December 2025
Venue: The Merchant Restaurant, Namia River Retreat, Hoi An, Vietnam

MENU & PRICING

Set Menu: VND 1,500,000 nett
Set Menu + Ve De Di Pairing Tasters: VND 2,200,000 nett

Additional privileges
– 15% off other beverages
– Children 6–11: 50% off full price
– Children under 6: Complimentary

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Chef  BenoÎt Chaigneau  isA French chef and TV host with over two decades of culinary exploration and hundreds of visits to Michelin-starred restaurants, Chef Benoît brings a global perspective to Vietnamese cuisine. His fascination with fish sauce led to the founding of ChuBen Fish Sauce, representing Vietnam at the World Food Exhibition Osaka 2025. His approach blends heritage with innovation, crafting new stories of flavour rooted in tradition.

CHEF THU LÊ

A native of Hoi An and Executive Chef of Namia River Retreat, Chef Thu Lê returned to Vietnam after years abroad to honour her culinary origins. Her philosophy blends authenticity, seasonality, and refined technique, celebrating Central Vietnam’s flavours through a contemporary lens.

PHAN CHI

After two decades of global travel, Chi Phan brings an international perspective to Vietnamese culture and cuisine. Her collaboration with Chef Ben on Flavours & Beyond inspired this experience, viewing food as storytelling, connection, and creative expression.

To make a reservation to attend the dinner please see details below:

Email: book@namiariverretreat.com
Tel: +84 (0) 235 3969 888

ABOUT NAMIA RIVER RETREAT - It’s more than a stay, it’s a meaningful experience

Nestled on the Cồn Ba Xã Islet in Hoi An, Namia River Retreat is thoughtfully crafted with genuine cultural journeys and wellness-inclusive therapies inspired by Vietnamese herbology. With 60 private pool villas, locally inspired dining experiences and stunning pools with Thu Bon River views, the resort opens new ways to explore and connect with the lantern-lit ancient town of Hoi An.

The wellness-inclusive resort is also a member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World (SLH) Considerate Collection and  Wellbeing Collection underscoring Namia River Retreat's commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

To access the photo and video gallery or further information on our website: 

Images of Dinner Duet Chefs and The Merchant:   HERE

Video                                       HERE

Image Gallery                      HERE

Website                                https://namiariverretreat.com

For media inquiries:

Donna Campbell

Campbell PR

Email: donna@campbellpr.com

To stay up to date with Namia River Retreat news, follow  on social media: 

Facebook                             https://www.facebook.com/namiahoian

Instagram                             https://www.instagram.com/namiariverretreat

LinkedIn                               https://www.linkedin.com/company/namia-river-retreat/

Address - 232 Tran Nhan Tong, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Viet Nam