It is imperative to travel and most fascinating places. To travel, however, is not only to see places; it is also to see the deepest recesses of one’s heart. Traveling is the language of a passionate soul that yearns to discover more about life. These were my thoughts as a slice of paradise on earth welcomed my senses: Amanoi, a member of the prestigious Aman collection of hotels worldwide. From Manila, I took a three-and-a- half hour flight to Ho Chi Minh, then a 45-minute flight to Cam Ranh Bay in Nha Trang. Another 45 minutes by car would reveal the paradise called Amanoi. The enchanting Amanoi is a boutique resort perched on a dramatic mountaintop, overlooking views of the immaculately blue bay and standing like a sentinel over the seas. Drawing its name from the Sanskrit-derived word for “peace” and “noi” meaning “place”in Vietnamese, Amanoi is a tranquil beachside retreat. Embraced by the rolling hills of Nui Chua National Park, the resort overlooks the picturesque VinhHy Bay, of which 7,300 hectares is a marine reserve.

Rice paddies and coconut trees lined the well-paved highway that led us to the resort located 300 feet above sea level. As our vehicle climbed its way higher and higher, we were surprised to see cacti and what looked suspiciously like the Joshua tree in Nevada. We found out that the resort’s location is actually in one of the driest areas in Vietnam, covering 43 hectares. Nature lovers have different hiking trails with varied levels of difficulty to choose from. Designed by Asia- based Jean-Michel Gathy, a favorite of Aman, the resort is picture-perfect here with expansive views. Every nook and cranny is poetic architecture with candles and colonnades.

In luxurious grace, there are guest accommodations that include pavilionsand villas, some with private swimming pools; and residences, all with impressive views. The design of the Aman pavilions and villas combines contemporary style with traditional Vietnamese architectural features to complement the natural surroundings. After a scenic drive through Nui Chua National Park, guests ascend a broad bank of stairs to Amanoi’s Central Pavilion. Situated atop a hill at the property’s highest point, the Central Pavilion houses a number of relaxation and dining venues After breakfast, we went for a swim in the beach club and the water was refreshingly cool and clean—a perfect contrast to the arid weather conditions. The service was attentive and guest assistance quickly set up beach lounge chairs under an umbrella with icy complimentary juices and water at hand. We enjoyed the sea breeze that came in off the ocean over the infinity pool before reaching us. Snorkelers will be treated to coral reefs filled with different species of Acropora corals. Acropora is a genus of small polyp stony coral in the phylum Cnidaria. Some of its species are known as table coral, elk horn coral, and staghorn coral. Over 149 species are described.

The restaurant occupies the very heart of the Central Pavilion. Elegantand spacious, it offers an air-conditioned interior, as well as shaded al fresco dining areas. Notable items we enjoyed were the Bahn mi, the quintessential Vietnamese sandwich served on a crusty French baguette filled with paté and “siu mai”— Chinese dimsum. The caramelized grouper baked in a clay pot was delightful, as were the various Vietnamese rolls, both fresh and fried. The Library is situated below the restaurant, and offers a varied selection of reading materials in several languages. Next to the Central Pavilion is the Cliff Pool, one of the two main swimming pools. Backed by a wooden deck and granite boulders, it overlooks the bay.

We were lucky enough to watch a scintillating full moon rise out of Vinh Hy Bay. A reddish faint ball emerged and turned from the hazy purple horizon and slowly transformed into a bright orange ball. The higher it climbed into the sky, the brighter it sparkled like a silver orb glistening in its path. Dinner was never second best as we had fresh grouper in a clay pot with garlic rice and some bokchoy vegetables. After a hearty meal, we pampered ourselves with a relaxing massage at the lovely spa. The gentle hands of the masseuse and the scent of verbena were more than enough to rest our weary bodies. Each of the five double treatment suites features a private dressing area and shower, as well as unique double bathtubs. Several offer access to outdoor relaxation areas.