Ho Chi Minh City - Massage Parlors

First post here from Philly 1. I'm staying in District 1 on Le Anh Xuan street and yes there are a couple of "reasonable" massage shops there. Well reasonable for D1 anyway. Make sure you get a private room on 3rd floor.

Questions for fellow punters. What is the "takeout" policy for hai son hotel? Any one know? Anyone used the outside service?

Also I know a while back one of our excellent colleagues posted a complete list of good HT's with addresses. I have searched and cannot find the list. Would one of you be so kind as to forward this or advise exactly where it may be viewed.

Any of you around HCM next week?

Just got back from a great hunting expedition in Phuket. Land of smiles. Both horizontal and shaved vertical.

Thanks for your help.

[QUOTE=Wendella; 1298918]Peronsally, I never got overcharged on a bill there, never bought a bottle for them to keep for me, so I can't speak about that. Have heard those same stories Raverboy mentions though. I have gone there and been ignored, as have a couple others I know, especially when going solo or as just a pair of guys. This while dressed very well, clean cut, no reason for it based on how we presented ourselves. What was that 'same price' and how long ago? You know about the HBT places right? (91, 51, 49, etc.) If so, do you prefer VIC to those? And if so, why? I'm honestly curious to hear, because my own pref is for the HBT bars. It would be interesting to hear the case in favor of VIC.

VIC used to have a more local / small feel to it....[/QUOTE]They did try to rip me off couple times. I don't have much whenever I'm there, so I just need something quick. But now that I've been reading some posts on here, I probably won't go back there. I think you have to be the VIP or reg to be treated nicer there. Or else you have to work a bit hard to show your money. Those sweet smiles are very evil. Agree. Hahahahaa.

I'm looking forward to go back and try those places you mentioned on HBT. Thanks for the reports guys.

Best

[QUOTE=Xohai; 1299948]They did try to rip me off couple times. I don't have much whenever I'm there, so I just need something quick. But now that I've been reading some posts on here, I probably won't go back there. I think you have to be the VIP or reg to be treated nicer there. Or else you have to work a bit hard to show your money. Those sweet smiles are very evil. Agree. Hahahahaa.

I'm looking forward to go back and try those places you mentioned on HBT. Thanks for the reports guys.

Best[/QUOTE]It doesn't matter at VIC if you're a regular, they will still rip you off. They have it down to an art. Actually, it might even work against you if you're a regular. You get too familiar and they will bite you when you least expect it. I learnt the hard way. I was going 2-3 times a week for a few months before all their tricks became more and more apparent and daring.

Trick #1: Unlike at other bars and clubs, they do not issue bottle cards for unfinished bottles of liquor. At most other places, the establishment would usually hand write the date, the type of liquor and the amount remaining (in %) on these little cards. I've bought a 750 ml bottle of JW before where on that day, finished say a quarter of it. On the next visit there would be 1/3 left. Bad move to pull this trick on an ex-bartender. Not many would notice the difference between 1/4 and 1/3 unless perhaps you visited your bottle everyday. A 750 ml bottle is approx. 25 ounces and should therefore pour approx. 25 standard 1-oz drinks. Difference between 1/4 and 1/3 = 1/12 = about 2 drinks, which they can charge approx. VND 180. 000 (USD 9) to another customer who orders only single drinks. Basically pouring from a paid bottle and charging another customer for liquor that has been paid for already. Double dipping.

Trick #2: You go with a group of friends and you're all drinking from the same bottle of liquor, some are mixing their drink with one type of mixer and others, another type. Some friends are drinking bottled beer. The girls are ordering lady drinks. At the end of the night, say you are charged 7 cokes. 5 sodas. 8 lady drinks and 11 bottles of beer. How are you absolutely certain you didn't actually only have 5 cokes. 4 sodas. 6 lady drinks and 9 beers instead? In this example, the difference in the two orders can amount to as much as VND 6-700. 000 or USD 30-35.

That's when I said enough's enough.

[QUOTE=Raverboy; 1300260]It doesn't matter at VIC if you're a regular, they will still rip you off. They have it down to an art. Actually, it might even work against you if you're a regular. You get too familiar and they will bite you when you least expect it. I learnt the hard way. I was going 2-3 times a week for a few months before all their tricks became more and more apparent and daring.

Trick #1: Unlike at other bars and clubs, they do not issue bottle cards for unfinished bottles of liquor. At most other places, the establishment would usually hand write the date, the type of liquor and the amount remaining (in %) on these little cards. I've bought a 750 ml bottle of JW before where on that day, finished say a quarter of it. On the next visit there would be 1/3 left. Bad move to pull this trick on an ex-bartender. Not many would notice the difference between 1/4 and 1/3 unless perhaps you visited your bottle everyday. A 750 ml bottle is approx. 25 ounces and should therefore pour approx. 25 standard 1-oz drinks. Difference between 1/4 and 1/3 = 1/12 = about 2 drinks, which they can charge approx. VND 180. 000 (USD 9) to another customer who orders only single drinks. Basically pouring from a paid bottle and charging another customer for liquor that has been paid for already. Double dipping.

Trick #2: You go with a group of friends and you're all drinking from the same bottle of liquor, some are mixing their drink with one type of mixer and others, another type. Some friends are drinking bottled beer. The girls are ordering lady drinks. At the end of the night, say you are charged 7 cokes. 5 sodas. 8 lady drinks and 11 bottles of beer. How are you absolutely certain you didn't actually only have 5 cokes. 4 sodas. 6 lady drinks and 9 beers instead? In this example, the difference in the two orders can amount to as much as VND 6-700. 000 or USD 30-35.

That's when I said enough's enough.[/QUOTE]Thats amazing. I've seen they tried to do that at some of the bar / clubs, or even at karaoke joins. Lessons learned, but thats the thing that bug me sometimes when I'm in vn. They bother to try to rip you off on little stuff, but ended up losing more biz and money. Just seem so silly and short sighted. And we don't enjoy the experience as much, it is like lose-lose situation.

Oh well, I'm looking forward to the trip and hopefully meet up w you reg and explore.

Happy July 4th if you are an american.

I had noted so many places to do when I was in Vietnam, but unfortunately I could not get rid of my family and had very little time. So I only managed Vien Dong x2 and Lido, both in PNL.

Vien Dong:

Both time with Tho #43. She is very cute and about 5'4 and from the rural part of west Vietnam. I told her I come from Northen Europe, she asked 'What is Europe, is it outside Vietnam'! And she didn't know if she has vietnamese citizenship or not. Hmm.

But her massage skill were superb! And even more important, her HJ skill is excellent. A lot of teasing before and massage of balls and nearby area. I asked her what she wanted in tip, and she said she never asked any price, it is up to the customer. I gave her 250 000 the first time and 300 000 the next. Thats why I revisited and asked for her.

The place was OK I guess. Nothing fancy or upscale as in Macau.

Lido:

The place is not as nice as Vien Dong. The girl I got wasnt as cute and her skill werent that good. She never told me her name and I didn't ever bother. Before the HJ, she asked for 500 000, I said my friend only pay 200 000. She went silent and started the HJ. When finish she handed over the tip slip and asked for 500 000 again. I said we agreed on 200 000. She complaint, but I said if were happy I would return. I didn't.

I had a foot massage as well, I gave the girl 100 000. She had strong hands and skill.

Additional info:

Tho told me that her mother wanted her to come home and get married, which would earn her family 30 mill VND. But she said that she earned that amount in a few months of working in Vien Dong. She also told me she liked foreigner (not black guys, cause they scare her, she will only give massage) and most overseas Vietnamese because they treat women with respect. She dislike the local Vietnamese men and foreigner men who live in VN because they are rude! What are you guys in VN doing? Rumors about massage girl must give the manager a massage before getting a job I true, at least for Vien Dong.

I'll be in Saigon next week. Is Vien Dong easy to find? Is it on a main road?

[QUOTE=Allover;1306590]I'll be in Saigon next week. Is Vien Dong easy to find? Is it on a main road?[/QUOTE][url=Http://lmgtfy.com/?q=vien+dong+hotel+hcmc+vietnam] Vien Dong Hotel[/url]

By the way I have an exact opposite experience there. Found a money milker. Believe it is hit and miss with the odds for a miss.

Where is the massage located in the hotel. Do you walk into the lobby or what? Not much experience in HCMC here, would appreciate the help so I don't look like a dumb ass.

Is this the easiest place to get a rub & tug in HCMC? Will be short on time and don't want to spend a lot of time running down leads.

Thanks!

Vien Dong is right on Pham Ngu Lao street opposite the park, a big hotel with a wide front. 275A Pham Ngu Lao street to be exact, heart of the backpacker district.

[url]http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293925-d456985-Reviews-Vien_Dong_Hotel-Ho_Chi_Minh_City.html[/url]

Go into the lobby. On the left side of the lobby are stairs, just go up one level and you'll be there.

Thanks a lot bro. Is this place better or worse than the hotel at 66 NTT in your opinion?

[QUOTE=Rick Rock;1306766]Thanks a lot bro. Is this place better or worse than the hotel at 66 NTT in your opinion?[/QUOTE]You mean the hotel itself, the rooms? Or the massage? Never stayed at either hotel, and actually I'm not even familiar with the one you're talking about on Nguyen Thi Thap (?) (in D7?) I did the massage at Vien Dong just twice, and it was years ago. I hear it's one of the better ones here, but I'm not a massage guy so I can't really say how it stacks up, except that it does seem pretty nice and comfortable. And the hotel looks nice enough.

Others here know a lot more about massage and hotels.

I was talking about massage. I could care less about hotel rooms.

There was a review of a massage on the seventh floor of 66 Nguyen Thi Thap in District 7 a while back that basically described the set up like a Macau Sauna, with massage and HE all in for 200, 000 dong. The place at wasn't named, but AFAIK Saigon is the only hotel at that address.

Just trying to find the best / most convenient rub and tug joint in HCMC. Thanks for the help!

[QUOTE=Rick Rock;1306805]Just trying to find the best / most convenient rub and tug joint in HCMC. Thanks for the help![/QUOTE]I guess convenience depends on where you're staying. Nguyen Thi Thap is not central, it's in D7. Most visitors stay in District 1, and the backpacker district is in District 1. From Ben Thanh market, it's less than 5 minutes drive to Vien Dong (by motorbike, and not stopping at red lights, which is standard here) while it's more like 15 minutes to Ng Thi Thap. Not that far really, if you think of it that way. But nobody wants to stay out there in that neighborhood. Maybe someone from here could go to both and compare. Would be interesting to hear how they stack up vs each other.

[QUOTE=Rick Rock; 1306805]I was talking about massage. I could care less about hotel rooms.

There was a review of a massage on the seventh floor of 66 Nguyen Thi Thap in District 7 a while back that basically described the set up like a Macau Sauna, with massage and HE all in for 200, 000 dong. The place at wasn't named, but AFAIK Saigon is the only hotel at that address.

Just trying to find the best / most convenient rub and tug joint in HCMC. Thanks for the help![/QUOTE]I had good experiences at Vien Dong a few years ago. They may try to overcharge you but just tell them you know what the price is and stick to 100k or maybe you can go up to 200k. The massage itself is decent but that's not what you're going for. The girls have had have been pretty skilled and friendly, trying to make small talk even if you can't understand them. In terms of efficiency, the two times I've gone (weekend nights) , I've had to wait in the big waiting room for my name to be called. The wait was maybe 15 minutes.

Most visitors stay in District 1, and the backpacker district is in District 1.

I stayed in Dist 1, hotel Royal Lotus and went for massage to Saigon Hotel, which is walking distance. The massage is good there with extra service. The girl I had was good and was willing to please, but at the end, it is all money game. Negotiated 250000 dongs for "baby massage". I was in no mood for that. She said that BJ was possible but the price would be 500000 dongs. I went for it and it was amazing!

Cheers!