Head spa 5 min read
Vietnamese head spa for Korean residents in Phu My Hung: prices, booking and useful phrases
Living in Phu My Hung? How a Vietnamese herbal head spa compares with Korean scalp scaling, 2026 prices, paying by card, booking, and phrases for the therapist.

Quick answer
- Herbal head spas around former District 7 range from 99,000₫ to about 1,000,000₫; a 60 to 75 minute wash with neck and shoulder massage is typically 150,000 to 300,000₫.
- A basic head spa at a Korean hair salon runs about ₩70,000 to 110,000, roughly 1.2 to 1.9 million dong, so Saigon is several times cheaper, but it is built around relaxation, not scalp diagnosis.
- Since 1 July 2025 Phu My Hung sits in Tân Hưng and Tân Mỹ wards, though everyone still says District 7.
- Book ahead on BookMe for a fixed price, a Zalo confirmation, card or VietQR payment and free cancellation up to 4 hours before.
If you live in Phu My Hung, you have probably walked past a dozen signs reading "gội đầu dưỡng sinh" between the Korean restaurants and wondered whether it is the Vietnamese version of the 헤드스파 you used to book in Seoul. It is related, often much cheaper, and a different experience. This guide covers what to expect, what it costs, how to book and what to say once you are lying on the bed.
Why Phu My Hung has so many head spas
Phu My Hung is home to Ho Chi Minh City's largest Korean community. In 2020 VnExpress quoted District 7 leaders as saying nearly 11,000 Koreans lived in the district, mostly in this urban area. Bùi Bằng Đoàn, Phạm Văn Nghị and Đặng Đại Độ streets are known locally as the Korean streets, with around 200 businesses including restaurants, beauty shops, massage parlours, saunas and clinics.
A note on addresses: since 1 July 2025 Vietnam no longer has urban districts. The core of Phu My Hung (formerly Tân Phong ward) is now in Tân Hưng ward, and the southern part (formerly Tân Phú ward) is in Tân Mỹ ward. Grab drivers, Google Maps and your neighbours still say "Quận 7" or "Phú Mỹ Hưng", so either works.
Vietnamese head spa vs Korean scalp scaling
Knowing the difference saves disappointment.
| Gội đầu dưỡng sinh (Vietnam) | 헤드스파 / 두피 스케일링 (Korea) | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Relaxation, acupressure on head, neck and shoulders | Deep scalp cleansing and conditioning, sometimes a scalp camera check |
| Wash | Brewed herbs: soapberry, lemongrass, pomelo peel | Professional scalp products and exfoliants |
| Length | 45 to 90 minutes | 30 to 120 minutes depending on the course |
| Setting | Reclining bed, hot towel, ginger tea | Salon basin or bed, hair shops and scalp clinics |
| Typical price | 99,000₫ to about 1,000,000₫ | ₩30,000 to 310,000 by venue type |
If you want to switch off after a long week, the Vietnamese version is excellent. If you have persistent dandruff, an itchy scalp or hair loss, a dermatologist is the better first stop.
2026 head spa prices around Phu My Hung
A roundup of 13 venues in former District 7 published by Hạ Spa shows an overall range of 99,000₫ to 1,000,000₫, with most menus starting between 138,000 and 180,000₫. By package, expect roughly:
| Package | Typical price, former District 7 | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic herbal wash 45–60' | 99,000–200,000₫ | Herbal wash and head massage |
| Wash + neck & shoulders 60–75' | 150,000–300,000₫ | The most popular choice |
| Japanese or Korean-style head spa 90' | 350,000–700,000₫ | Oil treatment, scalp steam |
| Premium combo, private room | 700,000–1,000,000₫ | Adds a facial or body massage |
| Ear cleaning or hair mask (add-on) | 50,000–120,000₫ | Varies by venue |
For comparison, Glasswallet's April 2026 guide puts a basic head spa at a Korean hair shop at ₩70,000 to 110,000 and a specialist scalp clinic at ₩80,000 to 150,000. The won has traded at roughly 16 to 18 dong in 2026, so ₩100,000 is about 1.6 to 1.8 million dong, enough for several sessions in Saigon.
For a concrete benchmark, An Lạc Head Spa in former District 3 lists 139,000₫ for 60 minutes, 189,000₫ for a 75-minute wash with neck and shoulders, and 390,000₫ for a 90-minute Japanese head spa. Venues in the heart of Phu My Hung tend to charge a little more because rents are higher.
Five things to check before you book
- Card payment. Filter for the "Card & QR payment" amenity. VietQR, MoMo and ZaloPay also work if you have a Vietnamese bank account or wallet.
- Language. Korean-speaking staff are a bonus, not a given. Ask on Zalo first; basic English is more common.
- Private rooms or curtains and fresh towels and pillow covers for each client.
- Posted prices. Walk away from "price on arrival" or pressure to buy a 10-session package on your first visit. Our guide to choosing a trustworthy spa in Ho Chi Minh City lists more red flags.
- Recent reviews. Prefer venues with the "Verified" badge and good reviews from the last 30 days, since quality depends on who is working that month.
Browse venues taking bookings on head spas in Ho Chi Minh City or search head spas near you.
How to book on BookMe
- Pick a venue, package and number of guests. For two people, choose a slot with two therapists free.
- Add a note such as "Korean guest, English or Korean-speaking therapist if possible" and mention sore spots.
- You get a confirmation on Zalo. Plans changed? Cancel free up to 4 hours before.
- Pay at the venue, or in advance by card, VietQR, MoMo or ZaloPay.
Evenings after 6 pm and weekends fill up with office workers, so book in the morning. Weekday lunchtime slots are quieter and often discounted.
Useful Vietnamese phrases for the therapist
Therapists rarely speak Korean, and a few words make the hour far more comfortable. Pronunciation hints are approximate.
| Say this | Sounds roughly like | Meaning | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mạnh hơn chút | mahn hun choot | A bit harder, please | 좀 더 세게 해주세요 |
| Nhẹ tay thôi | nyeh tie toy | Gently, please | 살살 해주세요 |
| Chỗ này đau | cho nai dow | It hurts here | 여기 아파요 |
| Nước nóng quá | nuoc nong kwa | The water is too hot | 물이 너무 뜨거워요 |
| Được rồi | duoc zoy | That's fine | 괜찮아요 |
| Trả thẻ được không? | cha teh duoc khom | Can I pay by card? | 카드 돼요? |
| Cảm ơn | gahm un | Thank you | 감사합니다 |
If the therapist asks "Được không?" (is this OK?), a nod or "được" is all you need.
When to skip it
- Fever, unstable blood pressure, open wounds or scalp inflammation.
- Hair permed, coloured or bleached in the last 48 hours.
- Pregnancy: ask your doctor before any acupressure.
- Neck or shoulder pain that keeps coming back: see a licensed traditional medicine clinic or physiotherapist.
New to the whole idea? Start with our explainer on the Vietnamese herbal head spa. And if you are missing Korean bathhouse culture, Golden Sauna Jjimjilbang near the airport makes a good weekend pairing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Vietnamese head spa the same as Korean 두피 스케일링 (scalp scaling)?
Not quite. Scalp scaling focuses on deep cleansing, often with a scalp camera check. Gội đầu dưỡng sinh is a brewed-herb wash plus acupressure on the head, neck and shoulders, aimed at relaxation. For dandruff or hair loss, see a dermatologist.
Do head spas in Phu My Hung have Korean-speaking staff?
Some venues that serve many Korean clients do, but it is far from universal. Check the venue's amenities or ask on Zalo before booking, and keep the phrases in this guide handy.
Can I pay by card?
Most mid-range and upscale venues take Visa and Mastercard as well as VietQR. Small neighbourhood shops may be cash or bank transfer only, so look for the 'Card & QR payment' amenity before you book.
Should I tip?
It is not required. If you are happy, 20,000 to 50,000₫ to the therapist is customary in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sources
- VnExpress – 'Seoul Street' in Saigon (Vietnamese)
- Thanh Niên – Koreans in Vietnam: a 'little Seoul' in the heart of Saigon (Vietnamese)
- Thư viện Nhà đất – Which ward is Phu My Hung in after the merger? (Vietnamese)
- Hạ Spa – Head spas in District 7 and their prices (Vietnamese)
- Glasswallet – Head spa cost guide in Korea (Korean)
by
BookMeEditorial draft
Awaiting source verification and a named editor. This content has not been medically reviewed.
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