Hanoi Spa Old Quarter : Herbal Shampoo &Head Massage 90′

The unusual part of this Hanoi spa treatment is that washing your hair becomes a full head, neck, and shoulder ritual. Over 90 minutes, La Spa combines Dao Duoc herbal shampoo, acupressure, steam hair treatment, and traditional Thong Kinh Lac physical therapy.

I like the three Old Quarter locations, which make it easy to fit the appointment around sightseeing. I also like the included herbal foot bath and welcome drink, useful extras at a $26 price. The main consideration is simple: tipping is not included, and one customer found the request for a tip afterward uncomfortable.

Key points

• Dao Duoc herbal shampoo: A drug-free Vietnamese head and hair treatment using herbal products rather than a basic salon wash.
• 90 minutes of hands-on care: The appointment includes acupressure massage, shampoo, steam hair treatment, and traditional physical therapy.
• Three Hoan Kiem branches: Choose Ly Quoc Su near Hanoi Cathedral, Hang Hom near Hoan Kiem Lake, or Hang Cot in the Old Quarter.
• Foot herbal bath included: Plan on an additional 10 to 15 minutes before or around the main treatment.
• Helpful for tired shoulders: Thong Kinh Lac focuses on circulation and neck and shoulder muscle discomfort.
• Late opening hours: Appointments are available from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., subject to availability.

What makes this Hanoi hair treatment different

A normal shampoo cleans your hair. This treatment treats shampooing as part of a longer wellness ritual. The key idea behind Dao Duoc Hair Shampoo is head health care without drugs, using herbal shampoo, massage, and steam.

You are not signing up for a quick wash at the end of a haircut. The session is built around your scalp, head, neck, and shoulders. That matters after a day of walking Hanoi’s streets, carrying luggage, or sitting through long flights.

The treatment also reflects a traditional Vietnamese approach to physical care. Thong Kinh Lac, described as traditional physical therapy, is used to help circulate blood and address neck and shoulder muscle pain. You should view this as relaxation and bodywork, not as a replacement for medical treatment.

The language around removing cold air belongs to the treatment’s traditional health framework. Steam and warm herbal care may feel soothing, but the experience does not promise a medical cure. Keep your expectations practical: you are booking a calming spa session with a strong focus on the head and upper body.

Your first 10 to 15 minutes: welcome drink and herbal foot bath

The appointment includes a complimentary welcome drink and an herbal foot bath lasting about 10 to 15 minutes. This is a small part of the visit, but it helps the session feel like more than a shampoo service.

I especially like the foot bath as a transition from Hanoi sightseeing. You can take off your walking shoes, settle down, and let the treatment begin at a slower pace. If you have been on your feet around Hoan Kiem Lake or the Old Quarter, this makes practical sense.

The available information does not specify the exact herbs, temperature, seating arrangement, or whether the foot bath comes before the welcome drink. Those details may vary by branch. Still, you can count on the foot herbal bath being included rather than added as a surprise charge.

Do not confuse this with a separate full foot massage. The included service is described as a foot herbal bath, not an extended foot massage. The main focus remains the 90-minute hair and head treatment.

Acupressure massage for the head, neck, and shoulders

The acupressure massage is one of the central parts of the appointment. Rather than concentrating only on the hair, the treatment works across the head, neck, and shoulder area.

That focus is useful if you carry tension in your shoulders or spend a lot of time looking down at a phone. Hanoi sightseeing involves plenty of walking, traffic noise, and sensory overload. A treatment that includes the upper body can feel more useful than a simple beauty service.

The massage is described as acupressure, so expect targeted pressure rather than only light rubbing. If you prefer gentle pressure, tell the staff before the session begins. If a particular area feels sore, speak up during the treatment instead of waiting until it ends.

One customer from France gave the staff top marks for being kind and attentive. That is encouraging, especially for a treatment where communication matters. Still, the available information does not identify individual therapists, so you should not book this expecting a named practitioner.

Herbal shampoo and steam hair treatment

The shampoo is the heart of the experience. Dao Duoc Hair Shampoo is presented as a nourishing herbal shampoo and head and hair treatment. It is also described as a drug-free method of head health care in Vietnam.

The shampoo portion should appeal to you if you want to try a local treatment rather than a standard international spa menu. It connects a familiar activity, washing your hair, with Vietnamese herbal care and massage.

Steam hair treatment follows as part of the wider ritual. Steam adds warmth and helps turn the shampoo into a longer relaxation session. It also fits the treatment’s traditional idea of removing cold air from the hair and head.

The details provided do not specify the ingredients, scent, hair products, water temperature, or whether the treatment is suitable for every scalp condition. If you have allergies, a sensitive scalp, or a special hair treatment, ask what products will be used before the shampoo begins.

You should also plan your schedule with wet hair in mind. The service includes shampoo and steam hair, but no information confirms whether the staff dry your hair fully or style it afterward. If you have dinner plans immediately after, ask the branch what the final drying step includes.

Thong Kinh Lac and the neck and shoulder work

The final part of the treatment is traditional physical therapy called Thong Kinh Lac. Its stated purpose is to help circulate blood and prevent or treat neck and shoulder muscle pain.

For you, the value is the treatment’s wider scope. Many head spa services focus mainly on the scalp. This one gives specific attention to the places where many people carry travel tension: the neck and shoulders.

The phrase physical therapy may sound clinical, but the supplied details do not describe diagnosis, rehabilitation, or treatment by a licensed medical professional. I would book it as traditional bodywork intended for comfort and relaxation.

If you have an injury or ongoing pain, be cautious with pressure and tell the staff. The treatment is not advertised as a medical consultation. It may help you relax, but it should not replace advice from a doctor or physiotherapist.

Choosing among the three Old Quarter branches

You can use the voucher at three La Spa addresses in Hoan Kiem:

• Ly Quoc Su Branch, 16 Ly Quoc Su: Near Hanoi Cathedral, also known as the Big Church.
• Hang Hom Branch, 38 Hang Hom: Near Hoan Kiem Lake.
• Hang Cot Branch, 65 Hang Cot: In the Old Quarter.

This choice is one of the strongest practical features. You do not need to cross the city for a spa appointment. Pick the branch closest to your hotel or the part of the Old Quarter already on your route.

The Ly Quoc Su branch suits a visit around Hanoi Cathedral. Hang Hom works well if your day centers on Hoan Kiem Lake. Hang Cot is the natural choice if you are staying or shopping deeper in the Old Quarter.

The information says pickup is included, but it also instructs you to go directly to your nearest destination. That wording is not fully clear about the exact pickup arrangement. I would confirm the meeting point and transport details before setting out, rather than assuming a vehicle will collect you from your hotel.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is useful. Still, the information does not describe the entrance, treatment chair, bathroom, or transfer arrangements. If you need specific accessibility support, contact the spa before booking.

Timing your 90-minute appointment in Hanoi

The spa is open from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., with starting times based on availability. Those long hours make this easy to place before breakfast, between sightseeing stops, or late in the evening.

A morning appointment can help you begin the day slowly. An afternoon session gives you a break from walking. A late appointment may work well after dinner, but remember that your hair treatment could leave your hair damp unless the branch confirms a full drying service.

The listed treatment lasts 90 minutes. The complimentary foot herbal bath takes another 10 to 15 minutes, so allow at least 100 to 105 minutes for the complete visit, plus any arrival or departure time.

That extra planning matters in Hanoi. Distances in the Old Quarter can look short on a map, but street crossings and crowded sidewalks can slow you down. Arrive with enough time to find the correct address, especially since three branches are available.

Smoking is not allowed. This is a minor rule, but it matters in a treatment built around quiet, steam, and herbal products.

Is $26 a fair price?

At $26 per person, this is a reasonable price for a 90-minute treatment that combines several services. You receive a welcome drink, a foot herbal bath, acupressure massage, herbal shampoo, steam hair treatment, and Thong Kinh Lac physical therapy.

The value is strongest if you want a full head and upper-body ritual rather than a basic massage or salon wash. Paying for each part separately could cost more, though no separate menu prices are provided here. The three branches also reduce the time and transport cost of reaching the appointment.

The price does not include a tip. One Dutch customer described the massage as good but disliked being asked for a tip afterward. That is the clearest caution attached to the cost.

You can handle this by deciding your tipping approach before you arrive. Ask politely whether a service charge is included and whether tipping is expected. Since tips are not included in the stated price, carry some cash if you choose to leave one, but do not let an unexpected request catch you off guard.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this treatment to you if your ideal spa visit includes hair care, scalp attention, and neck and shoulder massage. It is particularly suitable after a long flight or a full day of Old Quarter sightseeing.

It also suits curious visitors who want to try a Vietnamese herbal treatment rather than a familiar Western-style massage. The Dao Duoc concept gives the session a local identity, while the 90-minute length makes it feel like a proper appointment rather than a quick add-on.

It may not suit you if you want a short, simple shampoo, a clearly medical treatment, or a salon blowout with guaranteed styling. The available details do not promise a particular hair finish, named therapist, or medical outcome.

You should also think carefully if you dislike firm pressure, scented products, steam, or being asked about tipping. None of these concerns makes the service a poor choice, but they are worth clarifying before the appointment.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Hanoi schedule is still changing.

The treatment is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the three branches give you flexibility in Hoan Kiem. Starting times depend on availability, so late evening appointments may need more planning during busy periods.

The provider is Hộ Kinh Doanh Bùi Huyền Trang, operating as La Spa. No individual guide or therapist names are supplied. The staff language options are also not clearly listed, so confirm any detailed health or product questions before treatment.

Should you book the La Spa treatment?

Book it if you want a 90-minute Vietnamese head spa with real attention to the neck and shoulders, not just a quick hair wash. The herbal foot bath, three central locations, long opening hours, and $26 price make it easy to fit into a Hanoi visit.

I would be more cautious if you expect a medical procedure, guaranteed hair styling, or a no-tipping culture. Confirm the pickup arrangement, ask about products if you have scalp sensitivities, and clarify tipping before the session.

For most visitors, this is a sensible way to slow down between Hanoi sights. It offers a distinctly local treatment style, useful upper-body massage, and enough time to feel like a proper break without taking half a day.

FAQ

How long does the Hanoi herbal shampoo treatment last?

The main hair and head treatment lasts 90 minutes. The included herbal foot bath takes an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

What does the treatment include?

It includes acupressure massage, Dao Duoc herbal shampoo, steam hair treatment, and traditional Thong Kinh Lac physical therapy. A welcome drink and herbal foot bath are also included.

What is Dao Duoc Hair Shampoo?

Dao Duoc Hair Shampoo is described as a nourishing herbal shampoo and head and hair treatment. It is presented as a drug-free method of head health care in Vietnam.

What is Thong Kinh Lac?

Thong Kinh Lac is described as traditional physical therapy intended to help circulate blood and prevent or treat neck and shoulder muscle pain.

Where can I use the voucher?

You can use it at three La Spa branches in Hoan Kiem: 16 Ly Quoc Su near Hanoi Cathedral, 38 Hang Hom near Hoan Kiem Lake, or 65 Hang Cot in the Old Quarter.

What time is the spa open?

The listed opening hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Starting times depend on availability.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is listed as included, but the instructions also say to go directly to your nearest La Spa destination. Confirm the exact pickup or meeting arrangement before the appointment.

Is the treatment wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The available information does not provide details about specific entrances, treatment chairs, or bathroom access.

Is a tip included in the price?

No. The tip is not included. One customer specifically disliked being asked for a tip afterward, so ask about tipping expectations before the treatment begins.