Luala Spa — Local services in Hà Nội

My experience at Luala Spa in Hanoi is entirely based on my personal visit and shared without prejudice.We decided to walk in and were welcomed by the manager, Queen, who was incredibly friendly and warm. She explained the different massage options to us, and we followed her recommendation. We were then escorted to our rooms—my friends and I were placed in separate rooms. However, the massage I received was not what was promised. For instance, I was supposed to have a hot stone massage, but there were no stones used during my session. When I later asked my friend, she confirmed that she had received everything that was promised. So unfortunately, my experience started off on the wrong foot. After the 75-minute massage, which already felt underwhelming, we proceeded to have a foot massage. Everything seemed fine at first—they cleaned our feet and began setting up. But then I noticed the tools they brought out for scrubbing and exfoliation were neither sterilised nor disposable. Concerned about hygiene and the risk of infection, I refused to allow any of those stainless steel tools to be used on my feet. When I raised the issue, they gave vague and unsatisfactory responses. Additionally, the woman performing my foot massage had long nails. I repeatedly asked her—at least five times—not to let her nails scratch my skin, as it is thin and sensitive. Despite my polite requests, she continued rubbing her nails against my skin. Eventually, I had enough. I stopped the massage midway and decided to leave. I still paid the full amount—US$45—not because I was satisfied, but because I wanted to make it clear that I was not trying to avoid payment. I paid to make a point and to emphasise how hurt and disappointed I felt.

I will never go back to this place ever again My concern is mainly with hygiene and proper service. If they are charging for foot massages, they should at the very least ensure the equipment used is either disposable or properly sterilised. Although the spa itself looked clean and well-decorated, the service I personally received—for both the body and foot massage—was the worst I’ve ever had.

Would I return? Absolutely not.

My only recommendation is this: if you choose to walk in, make sure you confirm in advance what service you’re getting and that you receive what you’re paying for. Again, this review is based solely on my own experience and is not meant to target...

On my last night in Hanoi, I’ve decided to have a massage. Looking at the menu outside, the lady came out. Very friendly and nice. I’ve decided to go for 30mins of foot massage and neck/shoulder/head massage.

I was then lead to an upstairs to remove my clothes. Going through a curtain, there was a man receiving a massage. I got the next bed. The ladies started massaging me, and took the cover off from me so I was basically naked. They requested me to turn over, so I said no, because there is a man next to me and I don’t feel comfortable. They put a towel high for me so he couldn’t see, I still felt uncomfortable. The massage also felt quite rushed. Every time I did a foot massage elsewhere, I’d receive a nice foot bath first with lemongrass, lime, salt etc, which I didn’t receive here (just a scrub wash).

Once it was done, a lady who was giving me a foot massage told me to get changed there instead of using a changing room. (Not sure if that’s because so that I didn’t have to pass him being kinda naked?) Then she showed me her phone. A Google translate showed as “my boss is scary and take the tip away. If you are happy with the massage can you give me tip here and keep quiet about it?” I was happy enough with the foot massage so I was going to give her anyway, but I only had a VND500k note, so I said I needed a change. She had some notes to break it so I gave her tip there. She kept telling me to be quiet about this and not to mention to the people downstairs.

When I went downstairs, I was asked to give them a feedback. One of which was “did the masseurs ask you for tip?” So I ticked “No”, which I thought was a weird question to ask. Everywhere I go, in Vietnam or other countries, no one stopped me from giving them tip directly. If the management takes the tip away from the masseurs, I think it’s wrong.

It would have been a great experience if I had not received the massage naked next to a man - separation for female and male customers should be placed. And being naked too. I’ve always had a clothes on for body massage in my past, I never had to let the masseurs see my body. And this tip situation.. although I was going to give it anyway, I felt indeed pushed to give. And if what she told me was true then the management should let the masseurs keep tip.

Also this place is a bit higher than others (others VND150k vs here VND195k for...

I came here with my parents hoping for a relaxing hair spa and massage, but it turned out to be the worst experience I’ve had in Hanoi after two months of trying various salons. Not only did I pay twice the usual price for a basic head spa, the service was subpar and honestly uncomfortable from start to finish.

It started with a facial—if you can even call it that. The lady just kept tapping awkwardly on my face and rubbing it in strange, repetitive motions. She spent an excessive amount of time rubbing the area between my nose and upper lip, which was not relaxing at all—just weird and uncomfortable. I kept wondering when it would end.

Then came the hair spa. Instead of a soothing scalp massage, all she did was scratch my scalp harshly for over 20 minutes. It felt more like claws than fingertips, and it became painful really quickly. To make things worse, she intentionally lathered up foam and shoved it into both my ears, as if it was part of the treatment. It created this disgusting, ticklish bubbling sensation deep in my ears that made me feel incredibly uncomfortable and anxious the whole time.

At one point, she used a towel to "stretch" my neck, but she looped it around carelessly—right over my ear that had an earring on. Each time she yanked the towel, it tugged on my earring and caused sharp pain. She didn’t even notice.

Overall, this was a horrible experience. There are many better salons in Hanoi offering actual relaxing treatments at half the price. Please save your money and skip this place—you...