| Choice | Benchmark price | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel/hostel massage room | 300,000 to 500,000 VND an hour | tight budget | quality varies |
| Old Quarter spa (oil massage, 60 min) | from 685,000-725,000 VND (oil, Thai or Vietnamese, one listing); about 30 USD for 90 min booked online | first time, clean setting | bookable online, several branches |
| Massage by visually impaired therapists (Omamori, 100 Hang Trong) | 350,000 VND an hour without oil (listing, may be old) | mid budget, useful cause | employs visually impaired people |
| Boutique spa (West Lake) | 500,000 to 950,000 VND | upscale relaxation | check recent reviews |
| Vietnamese massage workshop | half-day class | curious, want to learn | private |
Which massage to choose
- Vietnamese / traditional massage: firm pressure and stretches, sometimes without oil.
- Thai massage: stretches clothed or with oil; about 430,000 VND at a school in the Old Quarter (old listing) to 725,000 VND in a spa.
- Head and hair treatment: a herbal shampoo with head and shoulder massage exists as a 90-minute treatment in central spas (about 25 USD online).
- Feet / reflexology: cheaper and shorter, useful after a day on foot.
How to book without surprises
- Choose a place with posted prices and recent reviews; avoid street touts.
- Ask the total price (treatment, duration, tax) before undressing. Refuse extras offered during the session.
- Tip: not compulsory; one review reports a tip being asked for after a session. If it bothers you, say so politely.
- Book ahead at weekends and in the evening.
- Allow 15 minutes of margin for the welcome and the tea.
Where to fit it in your stay
After a day of walking, late afternoon, or on the return from a long excursion such as Ha Long Bay or Sapa. For areas and hotels, see where to stay in Hanoi; for the overall budget, Hanoi travel budget; against scams, safety and scams in Hanoi.
