Discover the Wellness Magic in Vietnam : Wellness Tourism

Colourful floating markets, breathtaking rice fields, and rich culture. Just when you think that there’s nothing more to add to this timeless charm of a place, Vietnam’s wellness experience lures you. Without loudly claiming its beauty, it is a delightful place to be on a relaxing and wellness break. Although not as well-known as its neighbours China and Thailand, the country’s enticing retreat centres in pristine natural settings are ideal for anyone wishing to explore wellness tourism. It is most definitely worthy of mention in the global wellness tourism space.

Massage it out with bamboo rollers

As the name suggests, bamboo massage uses bamboo canes of different lengths and diameters to stimulate your body’s deep tissues. The bamboo sticks differ in size and composition based on desirable treatment outcomes and body areas treated. While longer and thicker rolls are used to glide along the back and thighs (primarily larger muscles), smaller bamboo rolls are used to activate specific points and knots. The sticks are also lubricated with oil. Some of the benefits of a warm bamboo massage include better muscle and joint flexibility, endorphins to promote relaxation, increased circulation of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to healing parts minimizing pain and healing time of injuries, and relief from muscle spasms. For therapists, bamboo sticks are easier to use for a massage as it allows them to apply as much as little pressure and strain on their hands, wrists, and fingers. A sign of strength, flexibility, and growth, bamboo trees have long been associated with Vietnamese culture. Tre già măng mọc is a popular Vietnamese proverb meaning that when the bamboo is old, the bamboo sprouts appear. It highlights their value of maintaining and developing eternally just like the bamboo trees.

There’s something definitely hot about thermal springs

A staple for spa treatments and resorts all over the world now, hot spring baths have been around for centuries. Apart from having a relaxing time, the practice is also loved for its other medicinal purposes. Rich in minerals like sulfur, thermal baths are beneficial in treating symptoms of skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis. The minerals in thermal water are also beneficial for hydrating skin, reducing sunburn risk, anti-oxidant effects, skin inflammation, and microbiome balance on the skin. They are also rich in mineral contents like calcium, magnesium, silica, and sulfur among a few others, hot spring baths are a multivitamin source for the skin. A haven for nature lovers, Nui Than Tai hot springs in Vietnam is a popular tourist destination for thermal springs.

Vietnamese massage, a cultural experience

Vietnamese massage is primarily influenced by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other neighbouring concepts of Thai and Japanese. Vietnamese tam quat massage is a combination of various clapping and punching techniques. The practice is designed to stimulate blood circulation and relax muscles and tendon tensions to rejuvenate and relax. 4-handed massage is another type of massage involving two masseurs working synchronously on one person. For instance, if one massage therapist is working on the right side of the body, the other will work on the left. It is a great way to attain a deeper state of relaxation since it doubles the effectiveness of the massage with two people doing the massage therapy. Generally, Vietnamese massage is a holistic approach that involves a combination of different approaches focusing on tension release (reflexology), rejuvenation, and relaxation. It offers relaxation to both the body and mind.

Herbal bath in the middle of cascading rice terraces

Known for their colourful embroidered tunics, Sapa’s Red Dao tribe is notable for its unique bathing recipes usually prepared for women during their post-birth healing. In this medicinal bath, you soak yourself in boiling water infused with different kinds of local herbs. Made of Po mu wood, the quality of the tubs determines the bathing experience, as the herbs’ steam blends with the wood’s fragrance in small enclosed rooms.

Meditation and yoga booming in Vietnam

Whether you ascend to the mountain top, immerse in the natural landscapes or take a stroll on the beach shore for morning yoga, Vietnam is sure to take you away from the ceaseless stress of your office cubicles.

With Buddhism being the main religion in Vietnam, meditation has long been practised in the region by monks and pagodas. Vietnam offers a range of holistic retreats and spas for yoga and wellness programmes to relieve your feelings of worry.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental pollution problems have made people more concerned about their health and wellness. Focused on healthcare improvement along with sightseeing trips and leisure tourism, Vietnam could be the next place you might want to add to your bucket list!

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