HO CHI MINH CITY / SAIGON -- area code (84-8)

Comments from Utopians:

"Massage in HCMC will cost you around D$200,000 (US$13) or more. The sauna/spa charges range from D$70,000 to D$100,000, but that is for the spa. You also need to pay the masseur. At the end of the session, you will be asked to put the number on a paper. The usual price is D$100,000. The masseur will ask for D$200,000. Most people end up paying D$150,000. So all together, prepare to pay US$12-15." -- billylondon, Apr 13, 2008

DISTRICT 1

• Ho Chi Minh Blind Association
  185 Cong Quynh St Dist 1 (also see listing under Saunas). The city’s best kept gay secret. The institutional appearance belies what goes on inside. The staff speak no English so you might want to go with a local friend. A sign tacked to a tree in the courtyard points the way to 'Massage' at the top of the stairs where a woman takes your money and gives you a yellow card for a massage and/or a blue card for the sauna. Inexpensive (cost is less than half of Golden Smile). The massage area has six cubicles divided by head-height frosted glass partitions and curtains across the front. A sign on the door reads 'Massage for Gentlemen'. Each cubicle contains a massage table and locker. The quality of the massage varies according to the masseur. They also have an active sauna (see listing under Saunas).

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Sauna is now D$30,000. Towels were clean." -- KenW, Jul 4, 2008

  "I have had fine experiences here. The place is rather run down, but friendly, and it is a great spot to chill out for a few hours on a rainy afternoon. Ordinary fellows gather here, and it is a good place to say hello." -- thomas94610, Jul 18, 2007

  "Blind Association is a place for anyone to visit. Don't waste time and money for massage as its massage service is not skillful, at least from my 10 years of experiences in different massage places. Some female clients may see you in a towel in the changing room area." -- Fatbird, Jan 7, 2007

• Ngoc Anh (mixed)
  31/1 Nguyen Binh Khiem St Dist 1 (across from the Somerset Hotel). Steam and dry sauna, private showers, large whirlpool.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Ngoc Anh's foot massage is fairly good. The massage room is about the size of a large hotel room and they pack in about 12 chairs. One customer was snoring heartily while I was there. If you don't mind the stuffiness, the massage quality is okay, better than Golden Smile." -- asianbod, Apr 15, 2007

  DISTRICT 6

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I went to Phuc Thien An Spa again after a one year absence and I see nothing has changed. They have a lot of very handsome massage guys but the quality of the massage is poor. It is very crowded, but the place is really dirty and run down with really nasty towels. All the toilets were busted and the showers in the toilets were busted. But still, fun can be had here. The address is 176 Duong So 1a. It's hard to find if you are not familiar with the streets in HCMC." -- , Oct 6, 2008

  DISTRICT 8

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Went to a great spa called Thien Phu at 118 Duong S6 8, P4 Q8, 850-5846. D$60,000 entry (pay on leaving). Choose a masseur from a photo album and pay him US$3 or more for the excellent service." -- cossy, Dec 2, 2007

  DISTRICT 10

• Golden Smile Club
  656 Su Van Hanh, District 10 (also see listing under Saunas), 862-6119, email. Entry includes access to the steam room, jacuzzi, sauna and a 50 minute massage. There's a TV lounge and a couple of PCs to access Net. Crowd is mainly locals.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Massage is quite decent given the price of some US$3. I recommend it, but be careful with the massage guys - they are much smarter than they look. Dont let them do extras or they will hassle you for US$30 tips." -- jucavi, Mar 9, 2008

  "Golden Smile is clean and fairly spacious by Vietnamese standards. For D$100,000 (US$7) you get to use the sauna plus a 50 minute massage. The masseurs' pictures are posted on the wall and you can choose. My experience with their massage was below average. My masseur was not very cute, and he talked a lot, perhaps to entice me to give a large tip, instead of being attentive to the work. He asked for more money at the end even though there was nothing special about his massage." -- asianbod, Apr 15, 2007

  "Massage service and skill are good, but the masseurs' looks are just normal." -- Fatbird, Jan 7, 2007

• Nam Spa
  FF8 Ba Vi St, Bac Hai, 6264-9430, email. This spa for men offers a variety of treatments and packages for the gay community. Located on the old quarter of Saigon, not far from Dist 1. A single-storey home has been converted into an oasisby architect, Binh Tran. A touch of Zen style in the design will calm you down from the doorstep and then transcend you to another world away from noisy, bustling Saigon. Art collections on display range from furniture to lighting, from music to crafts, and from Bien Hoa ceramics to contemporary photographs by artist Ngo Dinh Truc. Gratuity is already included in their pricing. Utopia Member Discount

  Comments from Utopians:

  "A new spa for men. Quite small, but nice setting and good service. They give most of the spa services from manicure and pedicure to hot stone massage. A relaxing atmosphere and a must-go massage experience!" -- denvietden, Oct 27, 2008

• Ngoc Anh
  285/92-93 CMT8 W. 12, Dist.10, 290-5483 (also see listing under Saunas).

  Comments from Utopians:

  "You can select a masseur from photos on a board on 2/F. I enjoyed excellent massages by friendly masseurs who aimed to please. Massage is now D$45,000 and the sauna D$25,000. tip of about D$80,000 is appropriate, or more if you are well satisfied. The staff, some of whom are rather playful, do not circulate frequently as they do in Golden Smile." -- Michael, Feb 14, 2008

• Toan Thang Sauna
  126 Thanh Thai, P12, Dist 10, 863-2096 (also see listing under Saunas). Blind masseurs on hand provide competent, strictly professional massage.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Toan Thang is a good bet for massage. Nice facilities, fun and also cheaper than the other places." -- Michael, Feb 14, 2008

  Comments from Utopians:

  "There is a good massage service out at the stadium in Dist 10. The masseurs are all blind and the massage prices are D$40,000 for massage or D$40,000 for spa, sauna and steam. Combine both for D$70,000. The massages I had were very good. I tip D$50,000 for a VERY GOOD Massage which is what I am after. It is also a clean premises. You choose you masseur from photos at the front desk." -- tam, Jan 4, 2009

  OTHER AREAS

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Spa Bi Bo is a new massage place out near the airport at 21 Hong Ha, P2 Tan Binh Dist. It is passable, but only has a steam room, a nice garden (outdoors) and masseurs. The massage was quite good, but then the masseur wanted D$300,000 tip. It was too exprensive for me." -- tam, Jan 4, 2009