Hanoi Spa and Massage Guide 2026: Prices and 10 Best Spas
By the end of a day in Hanoi your feet burn and your back hums. The Old Quarter is hard on sneakers: five kilometres of narrow streets, scooters ten centimetres from your elbow, 80% humidity. Then you walk past your fifth spa sign of the afternoon and it starts to make sense why massage is part of daily life here, not a holiday treat.
The prices help. An hour of massage in the Old Quarter costs 400,000–700,000 VND (~$15–27). At the Sofitel Legend Metropole the same hour starts at 2,500,000 VND (~$96) before taxes, and there you are paying for the robe, the courtyard and French Sothys products as much as for the massage.
This guide covers the three price tiers, ten spas with addresses and a map, the traditional techniques (Tam Quat, goi dau, herbal steam), the blind-therapist spas, and a short list of places to walk straight past.
Prices checked September 2026. Rate used: ~26,000 VND = $1.
Hanoi spas at a glance: what they are and what they cost
Hanoi's spa scene splits into three tiers. At the bottom are massage rooms attached to Old Quarter hotels and hostels: 300,000–500,000 VND (~$11.50–19) an hour. In the middle are boutique spas in the Old Quarter and around West Lake (Tây Hồ): 500,000–950,000 VND (~$19–37). At the top are spas inside five-star hotels, from 1,500,000 VND (~$58), with no real ceiling.
The difference isn't only the price. At a budget place you may lie on a mat next to other customers, and the soundtrack is the scooter traffic outside. Mid-range spas give you a private room, a welcome tea with lemongrass and a foot soak with petals. In a hotel spa the ritual stretches to two or three hours: steam, scrub, massage, facial, tea, and a robe you won't want to take off.
On money, Hanoi sits close to the other big cities. According to AsiaMystika's 2026 guide, a budget hour here runs 250,000–400,000 VND (~$10–16), mid-range 400,000–700,000 VND (~$15–27), and luxury starts around 1,000,000 VND (~$38). They call a tip of 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4) generous. That's about what you'd pay in Ho Chi Minh City spas. The northern style leans on acupressure and working along meridians, a Chinese medicine influence you'll feel within the first ten minutes.
Hanoi also has a strong blind-massage tradition. In August 2013 the social enterprise BlindLink opened Omamori Spa, staffed by visually impaired therapists. Omamori now has two branches, one in the Old Quarter and one near West Lake, and its therapists train at BlindLink's own school. Reviewers keep saying the pressure there is more consistent than at a random street salon.
If Hanoi is one stop on a longer trip, the Hanoi travel guide and the Hanoi neighbourhoods guide will help you plan the rest.
Types of massage and spa treatments in Vietnam
Northern Vietnam has four home-grown staples: Tam Quat, bấm huyệt acupressure, goi dau and xông hơi herbal steam. Modern spas add imports on top: Thai stretching, Chinese herbal compresses, Balinese oils, Swedish massage. Most menus mix all of them, so it helps to know which is which.
Tam Quat: the classic Vietnamese massage
Tam Quat (Tẩm Quất) is the foundation. The therapist works along the meridians, alternating firm palm pressure with quick chopping taps from the side of the hand. You stay in loose clothes on a mat or a firm table, no oil. An hour costs 400,000–700,000 VND (~$15–27).
It goes after knots in the traps, shoulders and lower back, which is exactly where three days of walking around Hoan Kiem Lake ends up. It suits almost everyone except people with severe hypertension or fresh injuries.
Bam huyet: acupressure
Bấm Huyệt works on acupuncture points. This is closer to therapy than relaxation: the therapist presses with a finger, an elbow or a wooden stick for 30–60 seconds per point. An hour is 500,000–800,000 VND (~$19–31).
People book it for headaches, insomnia and chronic back pain. The first ten minutes hurt. Then it lets go.
Foot massage: reflexology
The most popular format in the Old Quarter. An hour costs 250,000–550,000 VND (~$10–21). It starts with a hot herbal foot soak, then about 40 minutes on the soles using the reflex-zone map, and 15 minutes on shoulders and neck to finish.
Ideal after a long flight or a 20 km day on foot. Go during the day and not straight after a meal.
Goi dau: the Vietnamese head spa
Gội đầu began as a village ritual in the Red River Delta. Your hair is washed with a herbal decoction of bồ kết pods, ginger and lemongrass, then comes a 25-minute massage of the scalp, neck and shoulders, and a blow-dry at the end. 30–60 minutes cost 100,000–500,000 VND (~$4–19).
After goi dau your hair squeaks and you want to fall asleep in the chair. Where to find it and how it goes step by step is covered further down, in the rituals section.
Xong hoi: herbal steam
Xông hơi is a wooden cabin filled with steam from a herbal infusion: eucalyptus, mint, lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon bark. It runs at 40–45 °C for 15–25 minutes. Think of a gentle steam room, not a Finnish sauna. The point isn't to sweat buckets but to open the pores and breathe.
On its own it costs 150,000–500,000 VND (~$6–19). It's often bundled into half-day spa packages.
Chuom sa: hot herbal compress
The cloth pouch holds rice husk, ginger, turmeric, lemongrass and cinnamon. The pouches are steamed, then rolled over your back, shoulders and legs and pressed onto sore spots. 75–90 minutes cost 700,000–1,100,000 VND (~$27–42).
The warmth lasts three or four hours afterwards. It's especially good in the Hanoi winter, when a damp 12 °C feels a lot colder than the number suggests.
Hot stone and four hands
Hot stone uses basalt stones heated to about 50 °C. Some are laid along the spine, others the therapist uses as an extension of the palm. 75 minutes run 750,000–950,000 VND (~$29–37).
Four hands means two therapists working in sync. Your brain switches off in about five minutes. 60 minutes cost 1,200,000–1,800,000 VND (~$46–69). That's an anniversary treat, not an everyday one.
Hanoi massage prices: budget, mid-range and luxury
An hour of massage in Hanoi costs anywhere from 250,000 to 2,500,000 VND (~$10–96), a tenfold spread. A basic foot massage in the Old Quarter is 250,000–350,000 VND (~$10–13.50). A mid-range 60-minute body massage is 600,000–800,000 VND (~$23–31). Five-star hotel spas start at 1,800,000 VND (~$69), the Sofitel Metropole at 2,500,000 VND (~$96), and that is before service charge and massage tax.
| Treatment | Budget (street) | Mid-range spa | Hotel spa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot massage 60 min | 250–350k VND (~$10–13.50) | 400–550k VND (~$15–21) | 1,000k+ VND (~$38+) |
| Body massage 60 min | 350–500k VND (~$13.50–19) | 600–800k VND (~$23–31) | 1,800–2,600k VND (~$69–100) |
| Body massage 90 min | 450–700k VND (~$17–27) | 800–1,100k VND (~$31–42) | 2,500–3,400k VND (~$96–131) |
| Herbal steam 25 min | 150–250k VND (~$6–10) | 350–500k VND (~$13.50–19) | included in packages |
| Goi dau 40 min | 100–200k VND (~$4–8) | 300–500k VND (~$11.50–19) | 500–800k VND (~$19–31) |
| Four hands 60 min | n/a | 1,200–1,800k VND (~$46–69) | 3,500–5,000k VND (~$135–192) |
| Hot stone 75 min | n/a | 750–950k VND (~$29–37) | 2,800–4,000k VND (~$108–154) |
| Body scrub + wrap | 350–500k VND (~$13.50–19) | 700–1,000k VND (~$27–38) | 2,000–3,500k VND (~$77–135) |
| Half-day package, 3 hours | n/a | 1,500–2,200k VND (~$58–85) | 4,500–8,000k VND (~$173–308) |
Prices as of September 2026. The hotel column follows the Le Spa du Metropole menu; the rest is a guide based on Old Quarter spas. Check the spa's site or message them before you go.
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Tipping
At street-level places a tip is expected but not demanded: 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4) is normal. At mid-range spas 100,000–200,000 VND (~$4–8) is standard. Hotel spas either add a 5–10% service charge to the bill or you leave cash at reception.
Blind-therapist spas are the exception: Omamori, Midori and Just Massage all refuse tips. Therapists earn a fixed salary, and you can leave a small donation at the desk instead. Bringing a friend next time helps too.
Taxes at hotel spas
The Le Spa du Metropole menu spells it out: prices are listed in thousands of dong, and a 5% service charge, a 30% tax on massage and VAT come on top. The surcharges stack, so a 2,500,000 VND treatment on the menu turns into a bill of roughly 3,750,000 VND (~$144). Ask for the final amount before you lie down.
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh City vs Nha Trang
There are no reliable city-by-city statistics for massage prices; Numbeo doesn't track them. Going by spa menus, a budget hour in the Old Quarter costs about the same as in central Saigon, while Nha Trang is the cheapest in the country, with simple salons starting around 100,000 VND (~$4). You can compare in our guides to Nha Trang spas, Da Nang spas and Phu Quoc spas. Where Hanoi wins is choice: dozens of salons within a short walk of the lake.
The 10 best spas in Hanoi, with a map
Ten places from budget to luxury. They made the list because they rate 4.6 or higher on Google Maps and Wanderlog, show up in several independent guides, and publish an address. Eight of the ten are within a kilometre of Hoan Kiem Lake; two are inside five-star hotels.
- Omamori Spa (Omamori Spa Hà Nội): 48 Ngõ Huyện, 9am–10pm — From 300,000 VND/60 min (~$11.50), no tips, blind therapists (BlindLink)
- La Belle Vie Spa (La Belle Vie Spa & Massage): 48 Lương Văn Can, 9am–10pm — 400,000–800,000 VND an hour (~$15–31)
- Ha Noi Spa Old Quarter (Hà Nội Spa Old Quarter): 3 Lý Thái Tổ and three more branches, 10am–10pm — 10% off 10am–1pm
- L'essence Spa (L'essence Spa): 36 Đinh Liệt — Sister spa of La Belle Vie, 4.9 on Wanderlog
- Orient Spa (Orient Spa & Nails): Old Quarter, several addresses — 350,000–700,000 VND an hour (~$13.50–27)
- Serene Spa (Serene Spa Hà Nội): 68 Mã Mây — 250,000–600,000 VND an hour (~$10–23)
- MF Boutique Spa (MF Boutique Spa): 5 Hàng Trống — Small spa near the lake, 4.9 on Wanderlog
- Midori Spa (Midori Spa Hà Nội): 60 and 29 Ngõ Huyện — Blind therapists, no tips
- Le Spa du Metropole (Le Spa du Metropole): 15 Ngô Quyền, 10am–10pm — From 2,500,000 VND/60 min (~$96) + 5% + 30% + VAT
- Spa L'Occitane (JW Marriott) (Spa L'Occitane en Provence): 8 Đỗ Đức Dục, 8th floor, 10am–10pm — 9 treatment rooms, sauna and jacuzzi
- Omamori West Lake (Omamori Spa West Lake): 52/28 Tô Ngọc Vân — Omamori's West Lake branch
Omamori Spa
Budget, but not street-level. BlindLink opened it in August 2013 to give visually impaired therapists steady work. The main branch is at 48 Ngõ Huyện, two minutes from St Joseph's Cathedral. The second is near West Lake, at 52/28 Tô Ngọc Vân.
- Prices: from 300,000 VND for 60 minutes (~$11.50). Sessions come in 60, 75, 90, 120 and 180 minutes; the signature massage is called "Zen in the Heart".
- What's different: no tips, therapists are on a fixed salary.
- Hours: daily 9am–10pm.
- Rating: 4.8 on TripAdvisor and Wanderlog.
- Booking: omamorispa.com, +84 969 825 494 or booking@omamorispa.com.
The core of the menu is Vietnamese acupressure without oil. There's not much spa decor here: no petals in the foot bowl, no fluffy robes. The pressure, though, is strong and precise, and that's what people come for.
La Belle Vie Spa
Mid-range with a broad menu: body and foot massage, facials, scrubs and wraps, plus a back, shoulder and head therapy. The address is 48 Lương Văn Can.
- Prices: 400,000–800,000 VND an hour (~$15–31), per AsiaMystika.
- Hours: daily 9am–10pm.
- Contact: +84 24 6686 9163, hotline +84 96 520 3851 (Zalo, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk).
- Rating: 4.9 on Wanderlog.
It belongs to the same group as L'essence Spa. If La Belle Vie has no evening slot, ask about the sister spa.
Hanoi Old Quarter Spa
The official name is Ha Noi Spa Old Quarter. It has four branches in the Old Quarter: 3 Lý Thái Tổ, 18 Hàng Mành, 18 Bảo Khánh and 51 Hàng Mã.
- Concept: old-Hanoi interiors with earthy tones, wood and folk art, most of all at the Hang Ma branch.
- Hours: daily 10am–10pm.
- Discount: 10% off everything from 10am to 1pm.
Before the session the therapist asks how much pressure you want and which areas need work. Prices aren't published online, so ask at the desk.
L'essence Spa
Solid mid-range in the Old Quarter at 36 Đinh Liệt, a couple of blocks from the lake. It's part of the same group as La Belle Vie.
- Rating: 4.9 on Wanderlog.
- Prices: mid-range, roughly 400,000–800,000 VND an hour (~$15–31).
Go here when La Belle Vie is full. Same training, same standards.
Orient Spa
Another reliable mid-range option in the Old Quarter. The group has several addresses there, so check the nearest one on a map before you book.
- Prices: 350,000–700,000 VND an hour (~$13.50–27).
- Rating: 4.9 on Wanderlog.
Handy if you want to wander over to the cathedral or grab a coffee on Nhà Thờ street afterwards.
Serene Spa
Budget-plus on the north side of the Old Quarter at 68 Mã Mây, a street of hostels and bars.
- Prices: 250,000–600,000 VND an hour (~$10–23).
- Rating: 4.9 on Wanderlog.
A good pick if you're staying on Ma May or Hang Buom and don't want to pay extra for decor.
MF Boutique Spa
A boutique spa near Hoan Kiem Lake at 5 Hàng Trống.
- Rating: 4.9 on Wanderlog.
- Booking: a day ahead is safest, especially for evenings.
It's small, so evening slots go fast. Confirm prices when you book.
Midori Spa
The second blind-therapist spa on the same lane as Omamori: 60 and 29 Ngõ Huyện.
- Prices: budget to lower mid-range.
- What's different: a wider menu than Omamori, with facials and packages. No tips; donations welcome.
- Hours: last bookings before 10pm.
According to The Well Frog's 2026 comparison, Midori is the easier walk-in when Omamori is full.
Le Spa du Metropole
The hotel spa at the Sofitel Legend Metropole, a 1901 landmark of colonial Indochina. The address is 15 Ngô Quyền.
- Prices: 60-minute massage from 2,500,000 VND (~$96), 90 minutes from 3,300,000 VND (~$127). Add 5% service, 30% massage tax and VAT, and an hour comes to about 3,750,000 VND (~$144).
- Products: French Sothys and Anne Semonin.
- Space: 400 m² facing the garden courtyard and pool, 6 single treatment suites, 2 couple suites, steam bath.
- Hours: 10am–10pm, last appointments at 8:30pm. Guests must be 15 or older.
- Booking: a day ahead; cancel less than 4 hours before and you pay 50%.
Prices come from the hotel's published menu, which hasn't changed since 2024. Check by phone before you book.
Spa L'Occitane (JW Marriott Hanoi)
A premium hotel spa using L'Occitane en Provence products, on the 8th floor of the JW Marriott. The address is 8 Đỗ Đức Dục in the former Nam Tu Liem district (now Tu Liem ward), a 30-minute taxi ride from the Old Quarter.
- Space: 9 treatment rooms, sauna and jacuzzi, next to the hotel's suspended pool.
- Hours: daily 10am–10pm.
- Prices: not published online. As a guide, five-star hotel spas in Hanoi charge 1,800,000–2,600,000 VND (~$69–100) an hour before tax. Reservations on +84 90 487 5926.
People come here for an occasion rather than just a massage. It's the "spend a day in the hotel and forget the city" option.
Which part of Hanoi to look for a spa
Most tourist spas in Hanoi sit in the Old Quarter, within a kilometre of Hoan Kiem Lake; eight of our ten picks are there. You get English-speaking staff, a menu at the door, and reviews and photos on Google Maps. The downsides: prices above the residential areas and queues at peak time, 6–9pm.
A note on names. Since 1 July 2025 Vietnam has no districts (quận): Hanoi is now divided straight into wards (phường). The old district names still work for taxi drivers and maps, and some passed to new wards, such as Hoan Kiem Ward and Tay Ho Ward. Google Maps and spa websites may still say "Hoan Kiem District".
Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem Ward)
Main spa streets: Ngõ Huyện and Ấu Triệu by the cathedral, Lương Văn Can, Đinh Liệt, Mã Mây, Hàng Trống, Lý Thái Tổ.
- Best for: everyone, especially visitors with 2–4 days in Hanoi
- Prices: 300,000–950,000 VND an hour (~$11.50–37)
- Booking: a day ahead, two days for evenings
Tay Ho: West Lake
Expats and long-stay renters live here. Spas are roomier and quieter.
- Where: Omamori Spa West Lake (52/28 To Ngoc Van), Just Massage with blind therapists (237 Au Co, 250,000–300,000 VND), Ngai Spa (14 Au Co, 490,000–690,000 VND), Spa9 in the L7 West Lake hotel (689 Lac Long Quan, from 800,000 VND)
- Prices: 250,000–1,200,000 VND (~$10–46) an hour
- Downside: 20–30 minutes by Grab from the Old Quarter
Ba Dinh: hotels and quiet streets
The government quarter, home to the five-star Lotte Hotel Hanoi and Pan Pacific. Their spas mostly serve hotel guests. For a city salon there's Fuji Spa Center at 106 Linh Lang, 250,000–600,000 VND an hour. The JW Marriott with Spa L'Occitane is further west, in former Nam Tu Liem.
- Prices: from 250,000 VND at salons, from 1,500,000 VND (~$58) at hotels
- Best for: hotel guests and people living in Ba Dinh
Hai Ba Trung: where locals go
Few tourists come here. Salons on the side streets have Vietnamese-only menus, and English isn't a given. In return you pay 200,000–400,000 VND (~$8–15) an hour in a no-frills, neighbourhood setting. The exception is Amadora Wellness Spa at 102–104 Mai Hac De: 700,000–1,200,000 VND an hour and English-speaking staff.
Works well if you have some Vietnamese or a local friend along. For where to stay with a spa in walking distance, see the Hanoi neighbourhoods guide.
Blind massage in Hanoi
Massage by blind therapists is a tradition all over Vietnam. In Hanoi its best-known home is BlindLink, a social enterprise that opened Omamori Spa in 2013. According to Omamori, close to 300 people have gone through its training programmes, which also teach English and basic business skills.
Foreign visitors mostly go to three blind-therapist spas: Omamori, Midori and Just Massage. All of them focus on acupressure and pressure work rather than pampering. The therapist reads tension through their fingers, and reviewers often say the pressure is more precise than at a random street salon.
Where to go
| Spa | Address | Price per 60 min |
|---|---|---|
| Omamori Spa | 48 Ngõ Huyện (Old Quarter) + 52/28 Tô Ngọc Vân (Tay Ho) | from 300,000 VND (~$11.50) |
| Midori Spa | 60 and 29 Ngõ Huyện (Old Quarter) | budget, confirm when booking |
| Just Massage | 237 Âu Cơ (Tay Ho) | 250,000–300,000 VND (~$10–11.50) |
Etiquette
- Speak a little louder than usual and skip the gestures; "over there" means nothing to your therapist
- Give your name when you arrive: "Hi, I'm Alex, I booked for 7pm"
- If it hurts more than it should, say "nhẹ hơn" (softer) or "mạnh hơn" (harder)
- None of the three accept tips. If you want to say thanks, leave a donation at reception
- In the October–April high season book Omamori ahead, since evening slots go first
Fast Track — no queue at the border
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from$11per passenger
Goi dau and xong hoi: the old rituals
Goi dau and xong hoi are two treatments that survive in Hanoi in something close to their village form. Goi dau is a herbal hair wash that grew into a full spa service. Xong hoi is a gentle herbal steam. You can try both in one visit if you pick the right place.
Goi dau, step by step
- Soak. Warm water with a decoction of bồ kết pods, a natural soap, for 5–7 minutes.
- Wash. A mild herbal soap or sulphate-free shampoo, rinsed thoroughly.
- Herbal rinse. Ginger, lemongrass and cinnamon bark. The smell fills the room.
- Scalp massage. 15–25 minutes with fingertips, knuckles, sometimes a wooden stick.
- Neck and shoulders. Another 10 minutes.
- Dry. Towel, then a blow-dry with a brush.
That's 40–60 minutes in total. The easiest place to find goi dau is a hair salon with a gội đầu dưỡng sinh ("wellness hair wash") sign. The Old Quarter has plenty, and they charge less than spas. Mid-range spas like La Belle Vie offer something similar as a back, shoulder and head therapy.
Your hair stays softer for three or four days, which you'll notice in Hanoi, where dust and humidity are rough on it.
Xong hoi: what's inside
A wooden cabin the size of a shower stall, with a bench and a steam generator underneath. The mix is eucalyptus, mint, lemongrass, ginger, cinnamon bark, sometimes lotus petals.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 40–45 °C |
| Humidity | 90–100% |
| Session length | 15–25 minutes |
| Price on its own | 150,000–500,000 VND (~$6–19) |
| In packages | usually included |
Where to do both in one visit
Hotel spas sell it as a ready package. At Le Spa du Metropole it's the Imperial Experience: 180 minutes with a private steam bath, body scrub, massage and facial for 6,500,000 VND (~$250) before tax. At mid-range spas you build the package yourself, and not every salon has a steam cabin, so ask when you book. For three hours, budget 1,500,000–2,200,000 VND (~$58–85). The cheap version: goi dau at a hair salon, then a massage next door.
For a week of quiet rather than an afternoon, see our pick of yoga and wellness retreats in Vietnam.
Safety: how to avoid massage scams in Hanoi
In Hanoi a real massage place is easy to tell from a dodgy one. Here are seven signs you can check at reception. If three or more are missing, turn around. The Old Quarter has dozens of spas per kilometre, so you have options.
| Good sign | Walk away |
|---|---|
| Printed menu in Vietnamese and English at the door | Price quoted verbally: "10 dollars" |
| Therapist certificates on the wall | No paperwork at all |
| Open reception area with seating | Only a dark corridor |
| Staff in uniform with name tags | Street clothes and house slippers |
| Booking via Google Maps, WhatsApp, Zalo or a website | Touts pulling you in by the sleeve |
| Therapist uses a timer | "As long as it takes" |
| 100+ reviews on TripAdvisor or Google | No reviews, or five fresh 5-star reviews in a row |
Red flags outside the Old Quarter
Shady "massage" places turn up all over the city, more often on big roads away from the tourist centre. The signs: pink or red lights outside, women in short robes at the door, no price board. Don't go in. They exist in the Old Quarter too, but less often, since there are dozens of normal, well-reviewed spas right next to them.
What to bring
- Small notes, 50,000 and 100,000 VND, for tips and a ride home
- A hair tie or clip
- ID if you've booked a hotel spa; some ask for it at check-in
Before your session
- Don't eat for an hour before; a stomach massage on a full stomach is miserable
- Skip alcohol for four hours before and after
- If you're allergic to essential oils, say so and ask for plain coconut oil
- Mention recent injuries or surgery before the therapist starts
When and how to book
Peak hours in Hanoi are 6–9pm: after a day on your feet, everyone heads for a massage at once, and evening slots at the popular Old Quarter spas go early. Mornings from 9 to 11am and weekday afternoons from 2 to 4pm are usually quiet.
When you need to book:
| Tier | Book how early |
|---|---|
| Budget (street) | Walk in any time except 6–9pm |
| Mid-range | A day ahead, two days for Friday or Saturday evening |
| Hotel spa | 2–3 days ahead, a week for holidays |
How to reach them
- WhatsApp: the easiest for foreigners. Most mid-range and hotel spas list a WhatsApp number.
- Zalo: Vietnam's main messenger. Nearly every salon has it, and replies are usually quick. You need a phone number to sign up.
- Google Maps: some salons have a "Book" button.
- Website: Omamori, La Belle Vie, the Sofitel and the JW Marriott all take bookings online.
- Phone call: last resort. Not every reception speaks English.
Paying: Visa and Mastercard work at mid-range and hotel spas. Budget salons and hair-wash shops often want cash or a Vietnamese QR payment, so carry dong.
Tet closures
Around Lunar New Year (late January or early February) many spas close for three to five days. The next Tet is 6 February 2027, and the official holiday falls on the days around it; exact dates are in our Vietnam holidays calendar. Salons post their holiday hours on Zalo and Facebook a couple of weeks ahead, so check before you plan a spa day.
FAQ: spas in Hanoi
A 60-minute body massage in the Old Quarter costs 350,000–800,000 VND (~$13.50–31). Foot massage is cheaper, from 250,000 VND (~$10). Five-star hotel spas start at 1,800,000 VND (~$69) an hour, and the Sofitel Metropole at 2,500,000 VND before a 5% service charge, 30% massage tax and VAT. Tips are optional in Hanoi: 50,000–100,000 VND (~$2–4) counts as generous at budget places
Start with Tam Quat, the classic Vietnamese massage: an hour costs 400,000–700,000 VND (~$15–27). It's done in loose clothes without oil, so it feels comfortable even if you've never had a massage before. For something more unusual, add goi dau, the Vietnamese head spa. For your first sessions, Omamori Spa with its blind therapists or La Belle Vie in the Old Quarter are safe picks
Tam Quat (Tẩm Quất) is the traditional Vietnamese massage that works along the body's meridians. The therapist uses firm palm pressure, acupressure and quick chopping taps with the side of the hand. You stay dressed, there's no oil, and you lie on a mat or firm table. An hour costs 400,000–700,000 VND (~$15–27). It's good for tight shoulders, neck and lower back
The best-known spot is Omamori Spa, opened by the social enterprise BlindLink in 2013. The main branch is at 48 Ngõ Huyện in the Old Quarter, with a second one near West Lake. An hour starts at 300,000 VND (~$11.50). Midori Spa works on the same lane, and Just Massage at 237 Âu Cơ near West Lake charges 250,000–300,000 VND. None of the three accept tips
Gội đầu is the Vietnamese head spa: a hair wash with a bồ kết pod decoction, a ginger and lemongrass rinse, a 15–25 minute scalp massage and a blow-dry. 40–60 minutes cost 100,000–500,000 VND (~$4–19). You leave relaxed, with soft, clean hair for a few days. Look for a gội đầu dưỡng sinh sign; there is one in every corner of the Old Quarter
It depends on the kind of place
- Budget spa50,000–100,000 VND~$2–4
- Mid-range spa100,000–200,000 VND~$4–8
- Hotel spa5–10% service chargeeither already on the bill, or 200,000–500,000 VND in cash at reception
- Blind-therapist spasno tipsOmamori, Midori, Just Massage: therapists are on a fixed salary, leave a donation instead
Yes, licensed Old Quarter spas are safe. Check a few signs: a printed bilingual menu at the door, certificates on the wall, staff in uniform, an open reception, reviews on Google Maps. If someone pulls you in from the street or there is no price list, walk on. Proper spas never offer "happy ending" services; if anyone brings it up, end the session and leave
Read next: Hanoi travel tips · Where to stay in Hanoi · Ho Chi Minh City spas · Da Nang spas
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