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

After three days of roaming around Da Nang — climbing Ba Na Hills, swimming at My Khe Beach, and eating Quang noodles until I was stuffed — 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 is located in a small alley just a 5-minute walk from the old quarter, but once you step through the wooden gate, the sound of motorbikes and street vendors calling out seems to vanish completely. The courtyard has a koi fish pond, a few succulent pots, and a faint scent of lemongrass and ginger drifting through the air. The front desk staff spoke English quite well and offered me a chilled artichoke tea while I waited.

Treatment: a true 90 minutes of "melting away

I chose the hot stone package combined with jasmine essential oil, which is about 40% cheaper than what I used to pay in Ho Chi Minh City for an equivalent service. The technician starts by soaking your feet in warm water with sea salt, followed by a shoulder and neck massage for about 15 minutes to warm up the muscles. The basalt stones are warmed to a moderate temperature, not so hot that it becomes uncomfortable like I once experienced at a spa in Bangkok.

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

Should we go back?

Absolutely. If you come to Hoi An and want to avoid the crowded "Western Street" spas where the staff recite their lines like robots, set aside 90 minutes for an experience like this. I left the spa at sunset, walking slowly back to the old quarter, feeling my shoulders and neck so much lighter — and my mind, too.

Booking tip: You should book one day in advance through VietSpots to secure the late-afternoon slot (4:00–6:00 PM) — it's cooler, less crowded, and you'll head back right as the old town lights up for the evening.