yoga and writing retreat vietnam

Yvonne, Cindy and Annie enjoying a moonlit boat ride to send their lantern wishes into the river.

Hooray! In February we’re returning to heavenly Hoi An as the Vietnamese new year begins with a weeklong yoga and writing retreat on the river, surrounded by rice fields. Escape the worst of the southern summer and northern winter in the pleasantly balmy weather of the Vietnamese cool season. Join a group of like-minded creative folk and explore the craft of writing in daily workshops by experienced authors with decades of experience teaching the essential skills of narrative.

We had such a wonderful time in Vietnam last year at our inaugural Heavenly Hoi A writing holiday! Some of our guests created their own special writers group and are still connecting to share work regularly. That’s what I love about these retreats, helping writers connect with others on the same path! Writing can be a lonely business, with more than it’s share of criticism and rejection too, having a supportive tribe of fellow writers makes it all so much more fun!

Are you longing to connect with other writers?

Have you always wanted to visit Vietnam, but don’t want to do it on your own?

Are you searching for ways to make your writing more powerful?

Would you love to learn more about the craft of writing?

Relax with daily yoga and breathing, deeply relax and release the stories that have been stuck in your head for way too long. Isn’t it time you treated yourself to the writing holiday of your dreams?

JOIN Kerstin and Edwina, published authors and experienced retreat facilitators, university educators and yoga teachers for a week of yoga, writing, feasting and fun in beautiful Hoi An.

6 nights/7 days — February 10-16, 2025.

EARLY BIRD ends September 30

Have you always wanted to write but never have the time, motivation or courage to seriously commit to your dream?

Need guidance getting started, setting goals, or finishing a draft?

Want to learn about the essentials of the craft of writing (ie. plot, character, form, narrative drive, pathways to publication)?

Yearn to reconnect with your creativity and your body in the vibrant yet tranquil environment of Hoi An, Vietnam?

Join us for six nights and seven wonderful writing days, February 10 – 16, 2025.

EARLY BIRD to September 30!

The time around TET, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a special time of the year when the streets are filled with flowers.

Imagine unlimited writing time
Imagine finally getting the stories out of our head and onto the page
Imagine the joy of deep creative connection.

The retreat is held at beautiful An Villa, and Anicca Villa around the road, both small, boutique resorts on the banks of the Thu Bon river. You’ll love the overwater yoga deck.

This retreat is for anybody who yearns to creatively reconnect and who is in need of some nurturing and TLC for their creative spirits.

Whether you have an established writing practice
or have always wanted to write but never had the time, this retreat led by experienced and knowledgeable, fun and friendly hosts, may just be what the doctor has ordered.

To make this a stress-free writing holiday for you, we’ve created an all-inclusive package:

daily writing workshops with TWO experienced writing teachers & published authors

1:1 feedback on your writing

daily gentle morning yoga

your personal tarot reading

daily pranayama (breathwork) sessions and evening meditation

5 nights accommodation in 4 star riverfront boutique resort

all meals, prepared with loving care, following traditional recipes

PLUS A CULTURAL EXCURSION!

authentic Vietnamese cooking class and feast

All activities are optional, so if you’d rather skip morning yoga and sleep in, or just want to focus on writing in your room and miss a workshop or two, that’s fine.

Plans are also afoot for onward travel for participants keen on exploring more but not on their own.

Private rooms start at AUD $3050 (all prices in Australian dollars) PRICES INCLUDE ALL MEALS AND ALL ACTIVITIES including a tarot reading, one on one feedback and plenty of time with the teachers to ask every writing question you’ve ever thought of!

EARLY BIRD PRICES END SOON! Don’t miss out on this affordable international retreat which will renew your body, mind and creative spirit.

“I feel renewed as a writer, and as a human being.” Bianca Millroy, past retreat participant.

“So much more than a writing retreat!” Vicki Bennett, Author of THE BOOK OF HOPE and over 40 published titles.

For more info and to book your place, visit here. New Transformational Writing Retreat website coming soon!! Keep your eyes peeled for special opening bargains!

To get a good idea of what life’s like on retreat see my rundown on this year’s retreat – we had so much fun!

You don’t have to slog it out on your own, join your tribe of fellow creative spirits, learn the craft of writing, stretch and release stories from your body with yoga, and explore the beauty and wonder of Vietnam with us! We always have a wonderful time.

So hope you can join us in 2025! Free your creative spirit and inner explorer and put yourself at the top of your to do list for once!

Lots of love

Edwina 🙂 xx

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Is your creative spirit in need of some TLC? Always wanted to go to Vietnam but don’t like traveling alone?

Renew your love of writing and life next February in stunning world heritage Hoi An in Vietnam for a yoga and writing retreat which will get your year off to an inspiring and uplifting start. HEAVENLY HOI AN 2 – 7 FEBRUARY 2024.

After the bliss of our Bali Retreat – see the rundown here – Kerstin Pilz and I are now set to explore Vietnam. Kerstin lived in Hoi An for years so we’ll have an, almost, local to guide us around. Kerstin is also busily preparing for the release of her first creative work, her memoir Loving My Lying Dying Cheating Husband which Affirm Press is launching in March 2024. WOOHOO! So we’ll have live access to all Kerstin has learnt about writing memoir and the publishing process, as well as my twenty plus years and five publications worth of experience plus over ten years teaching creative writing at UQ! Kerstin is an ex Uni lecturer in literature so you’ll have a wealth of writing experience to tap into.

Yes, there will be informative, practical, inspiring and useful writing workshops, but this is also a retreat to renew YOU as a whole person. This retreat also features YOGA!

I’ve been practising yoga daily for 30 years now, the greatest blessing of my life, and I love sharing the joys of this life-healing practice on retreats. Kerstin is an experienced yogin too, and has spent many months at meditation retreats as part of her own healing journey – hear all about it in her TED TALK. So every morning on retreat with start with gentle yoga in a beautifl open air shala over the river. How magical is that? And most evenings we’ll wind down from all the learning and writing with some guided meditations and pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) specifically designed to help you relax and calm your nervous system.

Writing and yoga, but wait, there’s more and no, it’s not steak knives. How about a Vietnamese cooking class after a tour of a local farm? Or would you prefer a slow boat ride down the river to the heart of the old town for dinner at the local night markets, lit up with preparations for TET (Vietnamese New Year). All the sights and sounds and smells and tastes of an exotic culture, full of smiling faces, in the company of fellow writers and kindred spirits. A tarot reading to help guide you forward and inspire your spirit. Fun and laughter with new friends and even the option to travel on and explore Vietnam further with other retreat guests!

Not only that, we’re staying in gorgeous resort-style accommodation at An Villa and Annica Villa, far from the bustling crowds, right on the river. Beautiful ensuite rooms, manicured tropical gardens, pools, delicious Vietnamese meals prepared especially for us on premises, lots of secret nooks to sit and write and everything is included! You can come along to all the sessions, or if you’d rather you can sleep for days, potter and journal in the over-river shala or hide away in your room and write like a fury!

Sound like the answer to your prayers? It is! I am so excited to be offering these international retreats with my dear friend Kerstin. Our Hoi An adventure is going to be truly heavenly! I so hope you can join us. Prices start at $2550 EARLY BIRD, ALL INCLUSIVE (except flights and transfers) but hurry early bird prices end soon!

For detailed info and to book see HERE.

Places are filling fast, so book your spot now by paying your deposit. I’m super excited about this one. I haven’t been to Vietnam in 30 years and I’ve never been to Hoi An, so come with me for the adventure of a lifetime and a life-changing, heart opening retreat guaranteed to get you writing! Whether you’re an old hand or a newbie, this retreat has something for everyone. ALL THE INFO HERE.

If you have more dash than cash we can work out a payment plan that makes it all possible.

Who’s coming?

Me!!