An expat explains: the complete guide to men's "VIP massage" in Vietnam – how it differs from a regular spa, from check-in to payment

Xin chào! This is the Hapinam Editorial Team, bringing you nightlife and entertainment news from Vietnam.
I've been living in Vietnam as an expat for quite a while now and have fully adjusted to the chaotic energy and the endless waves of motorbikes.

Here at Hapinam, we often get questions like these from men about to visit Vietnam on business or holiday:

"There are massage places covered in flashy neon. How do they work?"
"I'm curious, but I don't understand the system and I'm worried about getting ripped off..."

I know exactly how you feel. When I first moved here, walking around Linh Lang in Hanoi and Le Thanh Ton (the Japanese quarter) in Ho Chi Minh City, I kept wondering how these places differed from a regular spa. Men's massage in Vietnam (locally called "VIP massage") works very differently from Japan, especially when it comes to tipping and how you check in.

In this article, from the perspective of the Hapinam Editorial Team, who actually live here, we explainhow VIP massage differs from a regular massage shop, the step-by-step process from walking in to paying, and the precautions and local rules you absolutely need to know.

How is it different from a regular massage?

First, the most common question: how is it different from the regular spas you see around town?
VIP massage in Vietnam differs clearly in its facilities, its pricing and even its opening hours.

Here's a simple comparison:

The opening hours are especially handy for expats and business travelers. A regular spa usually closes at 10 p.m., but many VIP massage venuesstay open until around 3 a.m. Some also open at 9 a.m., so you can drop in late at night after a business dinner or drinks, or on a weekend morning, to unwind after a long day.

[For first-timers] Step by step, from walking in to paying

If you're worried about not knowing how it works, here are the standard steps at a VIP massage. Even if you don't speak Vietnamese, knowing this flow will make things go smoothly.

Step 1: Buy a "ticket" at reception

When you walk in, there is a reception desk where staff will show you the menu.
The menu is divided into options such as "VIP", "SUPER VIP" and "KING", and the price depends on the size of the room and the number of therapists (one or two).

• Hapinam tip: what you pay here is only the room fee (the ticket). It varies by venue, but is usually around 500,000–1,000,000 VND (about 3,000–6,000 yen). You can pay in cash or by credit card.

Step 2: Go to your private room – sauna and bath

Once you buy a ticket, a staff member will show you to your private room.
What's interesting about VIP massage in Vietnam isthat you use the sauna or shower in your private room before the massage. You sweat it out in the steam sauna, then soak in the bathtub to refresh yourself.

Step 3: The massage

After showering and changing into a gown (or wrapping yourself in a bath towel), the therapist comes into the room.
It usually starts with a proper acupressure massage – a cucumber face mask, the therapist walking on your back, and so on. After that, it typically moves on to special relaxation for men.

Step 4: Tip and pay

This is the most important part!
When everything is finished, you hand the tip directly to the therapist in your private room. In this industry in Vietnam, the ticket is the venue's share and the tip is the therapist's pay – the two are completely separate. So not tipping is not an option. Always keep some cash (Vietnamese dong) in your pocket.

Hapinam's warning: 3 things to watch out for

Living here, I regularly hear about business travelers and tourists getting into trouble. To stay safe, stick to these three rules.

Know the going rate for tips to avoid being overcharged

The most common problem is being asked for an unreasonable tip.
The current going rate in Vietnam is a tip equal to, or a little more than, the ticket price you paid at reception. (For example, if the ticket was 500,000 VND, a tip of around 500,000–700,000 VND.)

Some dishonest therapists will ask for two to three times the going rate. If you don't agree, say "No" firmly, hand over only the normal amount, and leave. Even without a common language, a firm attitude gets the message across.

Watch out for mix-ups caused by all the zeros on Vietnamese dong notes

Vietnamese dong has a lot of zeros: 10,000 VND is only about 60 yen. In a dim private room, people constantly make the mistake of meaning to hand over a 50,000 VND note (about 300 yen) but missing a zero and giving a 500,000 VND note (about 3,000 yen) instead.
To avoid this, we strongly recommend bringing only the cash you need to the massage venue (ticket + tip + a little extra for a taxi, etc.), and not going when you're very drunk.

Legal points to keep in mind in Vietnam

In Vietnam,buying and selling sex (actual intercourse) is strictly prohibited by lawand can lead to a police (Public Security) crackdown.
Even as a foreigner, if you're caught you can face a heavy fine, deportation or, in the worst case, arrest. Cheap, shady venues down local back alleys are high-risk, so stay well away from them. Act sensibly, take responsibility for yourself and never cross the line.

Summary: know the rules and enjoy a safe, trouble-free night!

So, what did you think?
Men's "VIP massage" in Vietnam has its own local system, from opening until 3 a.m. to private rooms with their own sauna.

Our final advice from the Hapinam Editorial Team comes down to this: know what to expect and prevent trouble before it happens.
Understand that the ticket and the tip are separate, keep careful track of the cash in your wallet, and never cross the legal line. Following these rules will keep you out of unnecessary trouble.

Exploring a city at night abroad is exciting and fun, but safety always comes first. Everyone at the Hapinam Editorial Team is cheering you on from Vietnam and hopes this article helps make your trip or business trip trouble-free and memorable!