In recent years, Vietnam has gradually emerged as a compelling destination on Asia’s wellness map. Behind many of the country’s innovative wellness concepts and transformative retreat journeys stands a quietly influential figure: Sheinette Ivy Gonda Sevilla, a wellness strategist and spa expert whose forward-thinking vision continues to shape the luxury hospitality landscape.
Ms. Ivy, Director of V-Senses Wellness & Spa, celebrates Global Wellness Day.
She currently serves as the Director of V-Senses Wellness & Spa at the Furama - Ariyana International Tourism Complex in Da Nang. With more than 20 years of experience in the wellness industry, she has become widely recognized as one of the notable contributors to the development of wellness services within Vietnam’s hospitality sector.
Guided by a philosophy she has consistently pursued throughout her career - that wellness is not merely a service but a holistic journey where culture, therapeutic science, and human emotion converge - she has led brands and projects that have received numerous international recognitions, reflecting the growing appreciation for wellness-driven hospitality in Vietnam.
Redefining the Role of Wellness in Resort Experiences
For many years, wellness spas within resorts were often considered supplementary services - an optional indulgence alongside other leisure activities. However, according to Sheinette Ivy Gonda Sevilla, the way travelers approach wellness is gradually evolving. Increasingly, guests seek holidays not only for relaxation but also for restoring energy and achieving balance in both body and mind.
From this perspective, wellness should no longer exist simply as an “add-on” service, but rather as an integral element of a complete resort experience - where therapeutic treatments, tranquil environments, and restorative rituals come together to support holistic rejuvenation.
Inspired by this vision, she has participated in developing and shaping several distinctive wellness brands, contributing new approaches to the growing wellness landscape in Vietnam.
Ms. Ivy hosting a sound healing workshop for visitors at Furama Resort Danang.
These ideas have taken form in projects such as V-Senses Wellness & Spa and Renata Wellness & Spa, each developed with its own wellness philosophy. While Renata Wellness & Spa focuses on minimalist therapeutic treatments and specialized care, V-Senses Wellness & Spa is designed as a multisensory wellness journey, where healing rituals, spatial design, and sensory experiences work in harmony.
At V-Senses Wellness & Spa, this philosophy is further extended through the development of its own spa product line, created to complement treatments and allow guests to continue their wellness journey even after leaving the spa.
In addition, Ivy is also the co-founder of IBH Wellness, an initiative dedicated to supporting hotels and resorts in developing spa and wellness concepts tailored to each brand and destination.
The essential oil collection developed by Ms. Ivy and the V-Senses Wellness & Spa team.
Expanding Wellness Approaches in Resort Experiences
Beyond developing spa treatments, Ivy has also played an important role in shaping revenue strategies, wellness programs, and guest engagement models, positioning wellness as a vital component of the resort experience ecosystem.
The wellness programs she has developed include digital detox experiences, longevity-focused retreats, family wellness programs, and bleisure wellness experiences, reflecting an adaptive and forward-thinking approach to the evolving needs of global travelers.
The "Detox Journey" program, developed by Ms. Ivy, has been honored by AsiaSpa Magazine.
Her contributions to the wellness industry have been recognized both regionally and internationally. In 2017, the retreat program “Detox Journey”, developed under her direction, was honored by AsiaSpa Magazine with the award for Wellness Retreat Program of the Year. The program combines detox practices, meditation, nutrition, and therapeutic treatments, offering guests a comprehensive path toward physical and mental renewal.
At the national level, V-Senses Wellness & Spa has also been honored with the Vietnam Tourism Award, one of the country’s most prestigious tourism accolades, recognizing its contributions to the development of spa and wellness tourism in Vietnam.
A New Chapter for Wellness in Vietnam
As travelers increasingly seek restorative and balanced holiday experiences, wellness is becoming an essential element within the service ecosystem of many resorts across Vietnam. Today, wellness offerings extend beyond traditional spa treatments to include retreats, energy restoration programs, and lifestyle-focused wellbeing experiences.
Further international recognition has continued to affirm these efforts through awards presented to V-Senses Wellness & Spa.
Within this evolving landscape, professionals such as Sheinette Ivy Gonda Sevilla are contributing to the industry’s transformation by developing spa concepts and wellness programs that integrate seamlessly into the broader resort journey. By combining Asian healing traditions, contemporary wellness philosophy, and international hospitality standards, these initiatives are helping shape new wellness experiences tailored to global travelers.
Earlier in her career, during her involvement in developing wellness programs at Naman Retreat, the concepts and retreat experiences she helped establish contributed to the resort being recognized as the “Best Wellness Retreat in Vietnam” for five consecutive years, positioning it as one of the country’s leading wellness destinations.
The growth of wellness in Vietnam therefore reflects not only changing travel trends but also the efforts of developers, experts, and brands who continue to expand how guests reconnect with balance and renewal during their journeys.