A relaxing afternoon in Hoi An: experiencing a hot stone massage

After three days of exploring Da Nang — climbing Ba Na Hills, swimming at My Khe Beach, and eating Quang noodles until I was completely full — I decided to spend my last afternoon in Hoi An "recharging my batteries" with a hot stone massage treatment. And I don't regret it at all.

Space: unexpectedly quiet

The spa sits in a small alley just a 5-minute walk from the Old Quarter, but as soon as you step through the wooden gate, the sound of motorbikes and street vendors seems to vanish. The inner courtyard has a koi pond, a few succulent pots, and a faint scent of lemongrass and ginger in the air. The receptionist spoke quite good English and offered me a chilled artichoke tea while I waited.

Treatment: 90 minutes of true "melting

I chose the hot stone package combined with jasmine essential oil, about 40% cheaper than what I used to pay in Ho Chi Minh City for an equivalent service. The technician started with a warm foot soak in sea salt, followed by about 15 minutes of shoulder and neck massage to warm up the muscles. The basalt stones were heated to a moderate temperature, not so hot that it became uncomfortable like I once experienced at a spa in Bangkok.

What I liked most: the technician knew exactly when to pause the moment I slightly winced at my lower back — I didn't even have to say anything. That kind of sensitivity is hard to find at big chain spas.

Should I go back?

Chắc chắn có. Nếu bạn đến Hội An và muốn tránh những spa "phố Tây" đông đúc, nơi nhân viên đọc kịch bản như robot, hãy dành 90 phút cho một buổi trải nghiệm kiểu này. Tôi rời spa lúc hoàng hôn, đi bộ chậm rãi về phố cổ, cảm giác vai gáy nhẹ hẳn — và đầu óc cũng vậy.

Booking tip: Book one day ahead through VietSpots to secure a late-afternoon slot (4:00–6:00 PM) — it's cooler, less crowded, and you'll head out just as the old quarter's lights come on.