Alba Wellness Valley is a 4.5 star wellness retreat on the quiet outskirts of imperial Hue, around 30km north-west of the city. Part of the Fusion group, it is built around natural hot springs, Japanese-style onsen bathing and a daily programme of gentle movement. It suits couples, friends and families who want a few days of rest and nature, with some adventure close at hand. Breakfast is served throughout the stay, and you can choose when and where to eat it.

There are 50 rooms and bungalows in six categories. The 16 Deluxe Rooms overlook the Zen garden and Lotus lake and have a balcony, while the 14 Premium Deluxe Rooms add a larger bathroom with a double vanity. Eleven One-Bedroom Bungalows offer large terraces, thatched roofs and small vegetable gardens, and five Two-Bedroom Bungalows sleep up to four. Zen Bungalows add organic bedding, a personal wellness assessment and one-to-one movement therapy.

The highwire course has 32 treetop challenges, and a 560m zipline drops from Ma Yen Mountain, so families and thrill-seekers both find something to enjoy. Forest trails invite hiking and cycling beneath the Truong Son canopy. You can pick your own produce at the organic farm, watch deer roam in the Deer Garden, try paper and pottery crafts at the Alba Craft Village, or join a Full Moon retreat with sound healing. The Kids Club keeps younger travellers busy.

Thanh Tân hot spring water, drawn from 1,200m below ground, feeds the onsen and spa. The eight-step onsen journey follows Japanese bathing rituals, and Water Meditation sessions are well worth trying. Spa treatments include reflexology, with Detox Yourself, Sleep Well and Healing Yourself retreats for longer stays. Yoga, Qigong and meditation run daily. A swimming pool with recliners and umbrellas sits along the garden paths, and the gym offers free weights and cardio machines with mountain views.

Madame Chau is the fine-dining restaurant, with 360-degree views over Lotus lake and the forest and a menu of Hue cuisine and other Vietnamese dishes. Mori sits in the onsen and spa area beside a Japanese rock garden, serving light Western dishes and vegetarian snacks with salads from the resort farm. The Pool Bar pours cocktails, beers and fruit smoothies. Breakfast, in-room dining and private barbecues for special occasions complete the choice.

Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital and holds UNESCO World Heritage status, with the walled citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, Ngo Mon Gate and the tombs of Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc. Its cuisine is considered by many to be the best in the country. The resort lies around 30km north-west of Hue city, and Phu Bai Airport is 52km away. A scheduled shuttle runs daily to the city centre and airport for a fee, and booking direct on the hotel website includes round-trip airport transfers.