Recover before exhaustion becomes your normal state.
Most guests do not come because something is terribly wrong. They come because something no longer feels right.
Fasting is, without any doubt, the most effective biological method of treatment. It is the operation without surgery.” Otto Buchinger
Many guests initially come to lose weight and feel better in their own body. What they often discover is that they are also letting go of accumulated stress, unhealthy routines, mental clutter, and a constant feeling of being 'on'. The changes people describe are often both physical and emotional.
Many guests arrive feeling exhausted even after sleeping.
Afternoon crashes, constant tiredness and the feeling of running on empty often begin to soften once the body settles into a calmer rhythm.
Some guests arrive with constant cravings, emotional eating or too many thoughts around food.
As the body slows down and eating becomes simpler, many guests begin to feel more calm and in control around hunger again.
Many guests arrive feeling heavy, bloated or physically overloaded.
After several days of digestive rest, the body often begins to feel lighter, calmer and less weighed down.
Mental overload often feels like constant thinking, inner noise and difficulty focusing.
When the pace slows down, many guests notice clearer thoughts, calmer focus and more space in their mind again.
Some guests arrive disconnected from themselves, emotionally tired or stuck in stress mode.
As the retreat rhythm settles in, many begin to feel calmer, more grounded and more present again.
Many guests do not arrive because something is terribly wrong. They arrive because they no longer feel good in their own body, energy or daily rhythm.
Led by Dieter Buchner and Trương Tấn Hoàn, Vietnam Detox combines German Buchinger fasting traditions with grounded Vietnamese hospitality to create retreats that feel calm, structured and deeply human.
Throughout the retreats, guests are accompanied with thoughtful guidance, practical education and enough space to slow down properly and reconnect with healthier rhythms.
Small groups create calmer retreat experiences with more personal attention, quieter surroundings and an atmosphere that never feels crowded or impersonal.
Every Vietnam Detox retreat follows a calm and structured rhythm built around fasting, rest, movement and careful refeeding.
These five principles help create an experience that feels supportive, understandable and sustainable rather than extreme or overwhelming.
The goal is not intensity or performance. The goal is helping the body slow down, recover and regain stability over time.
We explain what is happening inside your body so the fasting process feels clear instead of overwhelming.
Many guests leave with a better understanding of their energy, hunger, sleep and recovery patterns.
Groups remain intentionally small, with a maximum of 14 guests.
Many people describe relief in not having to carry stress, pressure and exhaustion completely alone for a while.
Most guests arrive mentally overstimulated and physically exhausted.
A calmer rhythm, less stimulation and more rest often help the body settle down and sleep more deeply again.
Movement stays supportive rather than demanding.
Walks, stretching and time outdoors help many guests feel active again without pressure, performance or exhaustion.
The fasting process is guided carefully, realistically and with long term wellbeing in mind.
No extreme promises. No pressure to optimise everything. Just calm structure, education and responsible support.
Some guests need deep rest, others need calmer structure or support around food and energy rhythms. Recovery looks different from person to person.
See which retreats are available during the month that fits your plans.
Dates may change. Please confirm before booking.
No upcoming retreats are currently available for this month.
View retreat optionsMost retreats run for 5–7 nights. We recommend arriving one day early if possible.
The ability to mentally slow down and fully switch off again.
Calmer routines, steadier structure and guided recovery support.
A calmer relationship with food, digestion and daily energy.
A mountain retreat for guests seeking peace, structure and inner clarity.
A restorative Hue retreat shaped by mineral springs, quiet nature and a softer pace of recovery.
A bespoke fasting retreat for guests who need privacy, flexibility and a more individual rhythm.
Exclusive / limited retreat
A limited retreat experience at Namia River Retreat Hoi An, offered only on selected dates.
Answer a few quiet questions about your current energy, lifestyle and recovery needs. You will see your suggested retreat direction right away.
Takes about two minutes. No diagnosis. Just orientation.
Many guests come when rest alone no longer feels like enough. Their words show what can begin to shift when the body, mind and daily rhythm are given space to reset.
“I was extremely satisfied with the teachings our fasting coach Dieter provided, and I learned a lot of new things, such as sketching Mandala paintings and designing my own vision board to represent the future and what I wanted to achieve. A fantastic detox program.”
“The retreat provides very clear and scientific content that explains the scientifically based fasting methodology in great detail. Despite the numerous physical activities, including yoga, meditation, and nature immersions, I did not feel hungry at all. Particularly appealing is the mix of detox and mindfulness.”
“I am overjoyed to have been part of this detox retreat; it has given me fantastic health and a lovely experience. I appreciate how much the organisers care about the group and each individual. The exercises in the program inspired me; they provided a fresh breath to my soul. Everyone is wonderful…”
Not sure where to begin?
Explore RetreatsFasting can feel unfamiliar at first. You are guided calmly and personally throughout the process by experienced practitioners.
Dieter has been pioneering the Buchinger fasting method in Vietnam since 2016. He trained in Germany and has guided hundreds of guests through their first fast. His approach is warm, evidence-informed and deeply personal.
Guests often feel steadied by calm structure and personal attention.
More about Dieter
Hoàn brings together the local knowledge, relationships and care that make the Vietnam Detox experience feel rooted in its setting. He ensures every detail of your stay is considered and every guest feels at home.
Guests often feel personally cared for through quiet, attentive support.
More about HoànThroughout each retreat, guidance remains calm, personal and grounded in practical experience.
You are guided step by step before, during and after each retreat.
Every part of the experience is designed to make fasting feel structured, supportive and manageable rather than overwhelming or extreme.
We help you choose the retreat experience that best fits your situation, goals and level of experience.
Once your place is secured, you receive clear guidance for the next steps and preparation.
Before arrival, you complete a short health questionnaire and have a preparation call with Dieter or Hoàn.
This helps us understand your background, answer questions and prepare you properly before the fasting begins.
Each day combines fasting, movement, education and rest within a calm and structured rhythm.
You are supported throughout the process while still having enough space to slow down, reflect and reconnect with yourself.
You leave with clear refeeding guidance, practical tools and a follow-up touchpoint after the retreat experience.
The goal is to help you return home with healthier rhythms and greater clarity for daily life.
Each phase of the retreat experience gently supports a different process inside the body and mind.
Preparation
In the days before each retreat, meals become lighter and simpler. Digestion slows down, stimulation is reduced and the body begins preparing for rest.
This calmer lead-in helps the fast feel less abrupt and more manageable from the start.
Arrival
After arrival, the focus shifts toward slowing down. Gentle movement, health checks, nourishing soups and quiet routines help the body settle in.
The first day is about landing well, feeling safe and letting the pace change.
Transition
As digestion pauses, the body gradually moves into fasting metabolism. Many guests notice more clarity, steadier energy and a quieter mind.
This is often the point where each retreat starts to feel more natural.
Deep Reset
By this stage, many guests feel the rhythm more clearly. Hunger often becomes less demanding and the days start to feel smoother.
The body has more space to slow down, rest and restore.
Rebuilding
As the fast deepens, the body becomes more efficient and many guests describe a sense of lightness and calmer energy.
Movement and rest begin to work together more naturally.
Integration
Around this stage, the experience often feels calmer and more inward. Guests tend to notice greater ease, a steadier appetite and more mental space.
The retreat rhythm now feels familiar enough to settle into.
The First Apple
The first apple marks the return to eating. It is taken slowly and mindfully so the body can come back to food with care and attention.
This moment begins the shift from fasting into rebuilding.
Refeeding
The final days of refeeding help the digestive system return gently. Simple foods, clear guidance and careful pacing keep the transition smooth.
This is where the experience starts to root itself in everyday rhythm and practical habits.
A genuine fast cleanses the body, mind, and soul.” Mahatma Gandhi
Structured fasting, daily guidance and restorative practices that help your body and mind slow down again.
Inspired by the Buchinger fasting tradition developed in Germany, each retreat follows a structured rhythm with preparation, fasting, movement, education and careful reintegration.
Herbal teas, mindful movement, warm broths, massage and quiet routines help support rest, nervous system recovery and reconnection throughout each retreat.
From preparation before arrival to refeeding guidance afterward, each retreat is designed to feel supportive, manageable and personally guided step by step.
Together, these elements create fasting retreats that feel structured enough to trust, and gentle enough to fully arrive in.
If a specific venue or date already resonates, confirm your spot now. Not quite sure yet? We will happily walk you through the atmospheres, screening and timing on a calm discovery call.
Some guests begin with guidance. Others already know they want to explore retreats.
Each retreat location is chosen to reduce noise, pressure and overstimulation, so your body and mind can begin settling again.
Mountain monastery energy with timber suites, meditation decks and pine forest trails.
A restorative Hue setting with mineral springs, nature and a softer pace of recovery.
An exclusive riverside setting for limited Namia Retreat dates each year.
Vietnam Detox is designed for people who feel mentally overloaded, physically depleted or out of rhythm, and want structured support to slow down properly. It is not for everyone, and that is intentional.
feel mentally overloaded or constantly “on”
want calm structure instead of extreme wellness trends
are ready to slow down properly
want to understand their body, not just follow instructions
you are looking for a luxury escape without changing anything in your daily life
you are currently pregnant or dealing with medical conditions that may not be compatible with fasting
you are unwilling to slow down, rest or step away from constant stimulation for a few days
you expect fast results without reflection, structure or personal responsibility
We speak with every guest before confirming a place so the right retreat experience feels clear from the start. If you are unsure whether fasting is right for you, we are happy to guide you personally before booking.
A free 30-minute conversation. No sales, no pressure. Just an honest discussion about whether one of our retreats is the right fit for you, and whether you are ready.
You share where you are in your health journey and what you are hoping to find.
If we do not think fasting is right for you right now, we will say so clearly.
This call does not commit you to anything. It is simply the right place to start.
Or write to hello@vietnamdetox.com
Each retreat opens a door. Private wellness coaching helps you walk through it. We offer personal coaching for long-term habit change, nutrition guidance and post-retreat integration.
Practical articles on fasting, nourishment, calmer energy and the long term habits that support healthier living.
This quarterly email covers screening windows, Buchinger education, how alumni prepare at home and the next retreat releases.
