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Atmosphere of the Japanese Street in Le Thanh Ton
In Ho Chi Minh District 1, there are many large hotels such as JW Marriott, Park Hyatt, Sheraton, Hilton, and Lotte Hotel. The Japanese street of Le Thanh Ton, located just a 5-minute walk from here, is well-known as a popular spot for many people.
Upon visiting, you’ll find a plethora of Japanese-style signs, izakayas, ramen shops, and pork belly restaurants, making it difficult to distinguish between Japan and Korea. The vibrant nightlife atmosphere continues well into the night as young travelers and locals mix together.
This area resembles a street of entertainment spots mixed with pubs, ramen shops, and restaurants, well-suited to the term "Japanese Street". I don’t feel significant danger walking alone at night, but there are establishments deep in the alleys where aggressive solicitation is noticeable, so it’s best to take a quick look around.
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Prices of Healthy Massages in Le Thanh Ton
After arriving in Ho Chi Minh, I felt that I had to experience a massage. So, I visited two healthy massage shops on two consecutive nights.
The full-body massages on Le Thanh Ton Street are reasonably priced at around 500,000-600,000 VND (roughly 30,000 KRW) for 90 minutes. Both men and women can enjoy them, and most staff can communicate in English and simple Korean, making it quite convenient.
Golden Lotus Spa and Temple Leaf Spa, well-known among Korean travelers, are popular spots. However, they have recently seen a decline in ratings on Google Reviews, leading many to avoid them. Considering this situation, it is essential to choose your spa cautiously.
Visit to Spa Gallery
On the first day, I visited Spa Gallery without a reservation. The interior was not spacious but had a stylish white design that left an impression. Fortunately, I was able to enter quickly without waiting.
The full-body massage, which lasts for 90 minutes, is offered for 580,000 VND. There are private rooms available for 1-2 people.
The interior gives a refined and neat atmosphere. The massage pressure is generally soft and traditional, with hot stone massage included, providing a satisfying experience.
While the hot stone therapy cannot be said to be exceptional, it is a very satisfying place for those who value personal privacy. It is particularly suited for those who want to relax gently without tension.
Visit to Ashikatahonpo
On the second day, I visited the well-known Ashikatahonpo in Le Thanh Ton. Although I did not have a reservation, I entered quickly with a wait time of about 10 minutes.
The 90-minute aroma full-body massage is available for 600,000 VND. This massage takes place in a shared room divided by curtains.
The massage pressure is quite strong and is particularly effective for those with muscle stiffness. It is frequented by couples and male customers, and is recommended for those who prefer strong pressure.
While the atmosphere may lack privacy, this place truly satisfied those wanting a strong massage experience. I felt compelled to want to return next time due to the excellent service.
Tips and Precautions for Using Le Thanh Ton
There are several healthy massage shops in the Le Thanh Ton area, but one cannot overlook the nightlife alleys. In particular, alleys 8A and 15B are known for their vibrant nightlife. While exploring, I found various talking bars, karaoke rooms, and massage establishments that appear to be not so healthy all lined up. Aggressive solicitation was very active in these areas.
For male travelers moving alone, there are no major risks, and if you want nightlife, alley 8A is suitable. Female travelers can safely move around using only the main street.
I recommend making group massage reservations for two or more people, as one person can usually walk in. There’s no need to worry too much when moving at night, as it's generally a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel.
Le Thanh Ton is an attractive street that gathers various pubs, restaurants, massages, and bars, making it popular among travelers.
As long as one is cautious about the areas focused on entertainment and solicitation, it is known as a nightlife spot where one can safely enjoy themselves.
There are many popular Danbo ramen shops, katsu restaurants, and izakayas, and a Korean barbecue house caught my eye. In particular, the restaurant called 'Ddongboseong' was impressive for its long queues that stretched for several hours.
Final Review
The Japanese street in Le Thanh Ton located in Ho Chi Minh District 1 has excellent massage shops. This area is exceptional in terms of satisfaction, accessibility, and service quality for the price.
If you wish for a quiet and private environment, I recommend Spa Gallery, while if you prefer strong and refreshing pressure, then Ashikatahonpo is the way to go.
The cost of massages in Vietnam is significantly lower than in Korea, making it not burdensome even if you use them every day.
While the nightlife atmosphere is present, basic safety is well ensured, allowing you to comfortably experience the night culture as long as you stay around the main streets.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the atmosphere of the Japanese Street in Le Thanh Ton?
The Japanese Street in Le Thanh Ton is a vibrant entertainment area with numerous Japanese-style signs and restaurants, blending Japanese and Korean atmospheres.
The Japanese Street in Le Thanh Ton is located near large hotels like JW Marriott in Ho Chi Minh District 1, filled with Japanese-style signs, izakayas, ramen shops, and pork belly houses, making it hard to distinguish between Japanese and Korean cuisines. It creates a lively atmosphere that lasts late into the night, where young travelers and locals gather, blending the vibes of pubs and restaurants. Although aggressive solicitation can be noticeable in the deeper alleys, it is generally safe to enjoy the main street.
Q. What are the prices and services of massage shops in Le Thanh Ton?
Full-body massages for approximately 500,000-600,000 VND (around 30,000 KRW) for 90 minutes are quite reasonable, with staff speaking English and simple Korean.
The healthy massage shops on Le Thanh Ton Street offer very reasonable prices, approximately 500,000-600,000 VND (around 30,000 KRW) for a 90-minute full-body massage. Both men and women can enjoy the services, and staff are able to communicate in English and basic Korean for convenience. Notable places like Spa Gallery and Ashikatahonpo are famous, and customers can choose from private rooms and options ranging from gentle to strong pressure massages.
Q. What is the difference between Spa Gallery and Ashikatahonpo?
Spa Gallery features gentle and private massages, while Ashikatahonpo specializes in strong pressure and multi-person aroma massages.
Spa Gallery offers 90-minute full-body massages at 580,000 VND, with elegant white interiors and independent private rooms for 1-2 people, making it suitable for those who prefer a quiet and comfortable atmosphere. The massage intensity tends to be gentle with included hot stone service for relaxation. In contrast, Ashikatahonpo provides 90-minute aroma full-body massages at 600,000 VND, conducted in shared rooms separated by curtains, allowing for strong pressure massages that effectively relieve muscle stiffness, and is recommended for couples and those who prefer strong massage.
Q. What precautions should I take when using the Le Thanh Ton area?
Active solicitation occurs in the nightlife alleys, so it is advisable to mainly visit the main street, and group reservations are recommended.
The Le Thanh Ton area coexists with both healthy massage shops and nightlife alleys, particularly in alleys 8A and 15B, which are densely populated with talking bars and karaoke, leading to very active solicitation. While solo male travelers generally face no significant risks, female travelers are advised to stick to the main streets for safety. It’s advisable to make group reservations for massages of two or more, though one person can often walk in, so keep it in mind while planning your trip. The distance is conveniently a 5-10 minute walk from major hotels.
Q. Are there recommended restaurants and places along Le Thanh Ton Street?
There are many options such as Danbo ramen, katsu, and izakaya, and especially 'Ddongboseong' stands out with its long queues.
On the Japanese Street of Le Thanh Ton, there are many popular Japanese ramen shops, katsu houses, and various izakayas. They are highly regarded among young travelers and locals, and Korean barbecue shops are also noticeable. The restaurant called 'Ddongboseong' is especially well-loved by locals and tourists alike, with long waiting lines, so it is advisable to consider reservations or waiting time when visiting. Overall, it offers a diverse culinary experience with various pubs and eateries grouped together.
