Massages, Ho Chi Minh City

Getting a massage can be tricky sometimes here many a time the services offered go a bit further than what is advertised on the door. Have discovered a full male spa treatment which doen't include "special service". The Regency hotel Gym and spa is a great afternoon relaxing, on three levels you are first shown into the sauna or steam room, then given a chinese body scrub (which is a bit freaky if you have never had one). Then up to the next floor for head massage, hair wash (they will cut it if you want) and ear clean. Next floor is relaxation room then on to the body massage.
All this for $14.95, though you should also tip as you go along.

Nohting is better after a long day of walking around HCMC than a good foot massage. Royal Foot massage in Distric 1 does a great job. A foot/neck & shoulder massage will run you 100,000 VND for 70 minutes. Treat yourself!!

For a relaxing massage after a tiring day, you should try Ngoc Anh Spa. Sauna, steam bath and jakuzi is available as well as different types of massage. All the masseurs and masseuses are certified. A body massage for an hour will cost you 120000 Dong or 8 USD.

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BS-Body and Soul Spa in Palace Hotel Saigon

The BS Spa offers the perfect setting for visitors to relax and enjoy life's simple pleasures. With the merger between natural environment and modern lifestyle, the BS Spa will be the choice of your premier destination for rejuvenation. (plus they offer a 30% discount for hotel guests of the massages).

Staying at the BS Spa means the best way for you to restore the personal balance. You may create a fully-structured spa and fitness program or you may enjoy selected spa and massage therapy services. The BS Spa staff of expert practitioners is dedicated to making your experience extraordinary. Cheapest massage is the thai massage at $20 ($14 for hotel guest) full body scrub at $ 44, Swedish Massage at $ 24, Aromatherapy at $ 25, etc.

Opening hours: 10am - 02:am
Location: 1st floor of Palace Hotel Saigon

Well if there's something a big city in SE Asia offers, its cheap(ish) massages.

I visited 2 of the more expensive sort, and was bound for a cheap one too but was too buggered that day and ended up vegging out at the guesthouse and watching Bridgitte Lin and Gong Li duking it out in the epic Tien Long Bat Bo (Sky Dragon 8 Steps?). Maaan Bridgitte so craaazy!

So the Cheapo which I ditched was the Vietnam Traditional Massage which is conducted by the blind, supposedly $7.

The first one I went to was the Spa Tropic. I took the 1.5 hr warm stone treatment for $45 US but in hindsight I should probably have just taken the regular full body massage - 22 bucks for the hour.

It was in a pleasant alley way away from the noise and through some japanese-ish settings.

Walked through the rice paper - ish doors and entered a nice little lounge with incense, some nice tea and the like.

The massage room itself was nice, with a water bucket full of flowers under the face hole giving you a pleasant whiff throughout the service. Very peaceful and secure setting, staff were very professional.

Didn't get the sauna and spa though, you'd have to pay extra for it.

The 2nd place I tried was Ngoc Anh at the Majestic Hotel (wooo 5 stars)

I was going to try the L'Apothiquaire but it was a little too womanly for me...which is to say if your a woman go for it! They have some crazy facial and aromas and potions and apparently some stuff to help you with your figure *shrug*

Ngoc Anh was a bit like a medical clinic. In fact I do believe I saw the words medical and therapy somewhere on the way in.

Paid $22 for the hour and specified the zones I needed some TLC on, and selected shiatsu.

Had a nice shower, herbal steam room (well there was a bunch of eucalyptus leaves in the room with me), and went into the private massage room.

The masseuse showed some exceptional skills. I had specified calves and lower back for particular attention (too much time on the bus and walking up stairs), and at one point I believe the soles of my feet where touching my forehead. I'm not sure I heard a crack but my recurring back pain has thanked me for it.

I'd have to say spa tropic was more relaxing than this, but ngoc anh showed more technique.