A massage in Da Lat is a good way to end a day in the highlands: the hills, the cool air and the long bus rides up from the coast or Ho Chi Minh City all leave muscles tight. This guide covers the main types of massage you will find, how long to book, what it costs and a few tips to make the most of it.
Why get a massage in Da Lat?
- Walking up and down Da Lat’s hills all day tires the legs and back.
- Overnight buses and long drives leave the neck and shoulders stiff.
- Evenings are cool, and a warm treatment room is a pleasant place to unwind.
Types of massage you will find
Most spas in Da Lat offer a few core treatments. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that massage covers many techniques, from Swedish or classical massage to styles from Eastern traditions such as Shiatsu and Tuina. On a spa menu you will usually see:
- Full-body massage: long, relaxing strokes over the back, shoulders, arms and legs.
- Deep or focused massage: firmer pressure on the areas that are most tense.
- Neck and shoulder massage: the whole session on the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Head spa: a Vietnamese hair wash with head, neck and shoulder massage; see Vietnamese Head Spa in Da Lat.
How long should you book?
- 30 minutes: a quick reset, often for the neck and shoulders only.
- 60 minutes: enough time for the whole body without rushing.
- 90 minutes: an unhurried session when you have the evening free.
Massage prices at The Pine Spa & Wellness
Prices are in Vietnamese dong (VND) and depend on the length of the session:
| Massage | 30 min | 60 min | 90 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Toàn Thân (full-body massage) | 199,000 VND | 349,000 VND | 449,000 VND |
| Massage Body Chuyên Sâu (deep, focused body massage) | 249,000 VND | 449,000 VND | 599,000 VND |
| Massage Cổ Vai Gáy (neck and shoulder massage) | 268,000 VND | 468,000 VND | 699,000 VND |
Is massage safe? What the evidence says
According to NCCIH, the risk of harmful effects from massage appears to be low, although rare serious side effects such as a blood clot, nerve injury or bone fracture have been reported. Massage may help with neck or shoulder pain, but the benefit may last only a short time, and the evidence for low-back pain is weak.
Talk to a doctor first, or at least tell your therapist, if you:
- have a recent injury, fever, or a skin infection where you would be massaged;
- have a bleeding disorder, take blood thinners or have had a blood clot;
- have osteoporosis or a diagnosed spine problem;
- are pregnant.
Tips for travelers
- Eat a light meal an hour or so before, rather than going on a full stomach.
- Arrive a few minutes early to change and talk about the pressure you like.
- Say “nhẹ” for lighter pressure or “mạnh” for firmer.
- Drink water afterwards and keep warm: Da Lat nights are cool.
- Book ahead for weekends, Christmas, New Year and the Lunar New Year (Tết).
Booking at The Pine Spa & Wellness
The Pine Spa & Wellness is at 18/3 Bùi Thị Xuân in central Da Lat, open from 09:00 to 21:00. You can book by:
- calling or messaging +84 868 097 660, also on Zalo;
- messaging the spa’s Facebook page through Messenger.
