Shinrin Spa – a great place for massage in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

When I get a bad massage in Vietnam,
I sometimes end up with bruises on my body, there were even times when I was in so much pain the next day that I couldn’t move, and my fingers have often gotten swollen.

Still, when it comes to Southeast Asia, I think of "one massage a day," so I go get massages often.
But after experiencing several incidents, my expectations have gradually gotten lower.

However, during this free trip to Ho Chi Minh City,I visited Shinrin Spa in District 1,and I really liked it.

If you take a Grab and get off on the main street, just walk a little into the alley, and you’ll see Shinrin Spa right away!

The interior felt more like a café than a spa!
There was water and candy prepared on the table, so you can help yourself freely :)

The chairs at Shinrin Spa are soft and comfy, and the tables are separated individually, so even when you're with other guests, it still feels private and comfortable!

I visited on the last day of my free trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
Since I was short on time, I only had one hour for a massage.
I asked the staff in advance if it was possible to get the “Goun Kkot” (고운꽃) massage within an hour, and they said it was possible.
So I paid the same price and received the one-hour Goun Kkot session!
I highly recommend everyone to visit with enough time to fully enjoy the experience!

When you choose the menu, they give you a personal questionnaire. At first, I didn’t know anything and checked all the boxes.
But since the Goun Kkot service doesn’t include hair care, you don’t need to check that part!
I don’t like pain, so I wrote (in clumsy English) to please go gently!

At Shinrin Spa in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, it seems like you can take a shower after the massage!
For those planning to visit on the last day of their free trip to Ho Chi Minh, before heading to the airport — please keep this in mind!

In the past, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t get massages together with my friends, but at Shinrin Spa, you can enjoy a massage session with your friends — I really loved that! It’s so much fun chatting while getting a massage~

Sometimes, some spas don’t provide clothes to change into during the massage, but Shinrin Spa does offer proper attire.
The staff step out to give you privacy while you change, and return once you're done, so you can feel totally at ease!

At Shinrin Spa in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, amazingly, you can even watch YouTube videos during your massage! They provide a remote control so you can pick the content you want to watch.
We chose to watch the show “Divorce Consideration Camp”, which we’ve been hooked on lately!

After the foot massage, the full body massage session officially began.
Can you see how attentive and detailed the staff at Shinrin Spa in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City are? I chose the oil massage, while my friends went for the no-oil option — so they mostly got Thai-style massage.
Since I already tried Thai massage on the first day, I decided to go with the oil massage for the last day to enjoy something different!

The reason I usually don’t prefer oil massages is because it often feels like there’s residue left on the skin afterward.
But at Shinrin Spa, they wiped everything off cleanly with a warm towel, so I felt really refreshed!
Right after that, they started the skincare routine, and they even did a cleansing step before applying skincare products!
For me, they were very thorough, but one of my friends said her eye makeup wasn’t completely removed, so it seems that the experience can vary a bit depending on the therapist.
If you feel like something wasn’t fully cleaned, just let them know — I’m sure they’ll take extra care!

What I liked most about Shinrin Spa was not just the quality of the massage, but the comprehensive course they offer.
Starting from the foot massage, then full body, and finishing with skincare, I really felt completely healed and refreshed!
My friends agreed that this was the part they liked the most. If you’re traveling freely in Ho Chi Minh City, rather than visiting at the beginning of your trip,
I think it’s best to come to the spa at the end. After relaxing, showering, and getting ready, it’s perfect timing to head to the airport stress-free!

We had to visit before Lotte closed, so the massage felt rushed and the payment process was hectic too.
Next time when I travel freely in Ho Chi Minh City, I’ll definitely take more time, relax properly, and enjoy it fully!
Don’t be like me, miscalculating the time — if you plan to visit, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it!