Cupping Saigon: what a session at Tong Gia feels like
Tong Gia team · Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh · 2026-10-29
A cupping session at Tong Gia lasts 30 minutes and costs 85,000 VND (about $3), at 225 Duong Thi Muoi Street, District 12 (open 8:00 to 20:00) or Unit T16-21, The Manhattan, Vinhomes Grand Park, Thu Duc City (open 9:00 to 20:00), every day. Here is that half hour, told from the table.
Vietnamese people call it giác hơi; the style here is giác hơi bã hàn, the version families reach for when someone comes home chilled from the rain or a day under the air-conditioner.
Before the cups: a short look and a slow hand
Instead of starting with the cups, the technician first looks at you standing: which shoulder sits higher, whether your head drifts forward, how your back carries itself. This habit of observing first comes from the founder, Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh, a traditional Vietnamese wellness master with more than 13 years in the craft. It decides where the time goes, nothing more.
Then you lie face down, back bare, and a flat palm travels down each side of the spine. Some spots feel cool or knotted under the hand, and those are usually where the cups end up.
The first cup: a tug, then a strange calm
The first cup is the one you notice most. There is a firm pull as the skin and the soft layer beneath it are drawn up into the cup, a bit like a strong kiss on the back, or a hand pinching and holding. Your body may tense for a few seconds; breathe out and the pull settles into a steady, tight warmth.
More cups follow along the upper and middle back, on both sides of the spine, as in the photo. Once they are all on, the back feels oddly heavy, as if someone had laid a weighted blanket over just that area. If one cup pulls harder than the rest, or something stings rather than tugs, say so. The technician can ease or move it, and you do not need to hold out.
While the cups sit: hands on the neck
This is the part people do not expect. The cups do their work on their own, so the technician’s hands move up to the neck, the base of the skull and the line across the tops of the shoulders, pressing and kneading while you lie still. Being worked on in two places at once is surprisingly relaxing.
You will be asked about pressure along the way. “Lighter” or a raised hand is enough.
Lifting off
Each cup releases with a soft hiss or pop and a sudden feeling of looseness right where it sat, as if a knot let go of its grip. Your back is wiped and covered. Take your time sitting up; after the suction and the lying still, standing too fast can leave you a little light-headed.
In the mirror you will see round circles from pale pink to deep purple, the usual result of cupping.
The rest of the day and the next few
- Keep the back covered and out of strong wind or a cold air-conditioner draft for the evening.
- Drink water and skip a hard workout that day.
- The circles usually fade over several days. Plan around a beach trip, a backless dress or a photo shoot.
- Mild tenderness where the cups sat can linger a day, like after a long session at the gym. If anything feels wrong rather than simply worked, stop and see a licensed physician.
Skip cupping if the skin on your back is broken or sunburnt, or if you have a fever or feel unwell. If you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have a health condition you are unsure about, check with a licensed physician first.
Fitting cupping into a visit
Thirty minutes is easy to slot in. For a cupping-only visit, arriving by about 19:15 leaves enough time before the 20:00 close at either branch. It also pairs well with a massage; each item is charged at its own retail price.
| Service | VND | About USD |
|---|---|---|
| Cupping, 30 min | 85,000 | 3 |
| Herbal steam | 120,000 | 5 |
| Warm herbal compress | 130,000 | 5 |
More on the three warm rituals is on the cupping, gua sha and herbal steam page, and the full menu is on the prices page. To book, message WhatsApp or Zalo at +84 888 264 559 with the branch and time. Directions: District 12 on Google Maps (4.9★, 235 reviews) or Vinhomes Grand Park on Google Maps (5.0★, 208 reviews).
FAQ
What does cupping actually feel like? A firm pulling on the skin when each cup goes on, which settles into a tight, heavy warmth across the back within a few seconds.
Can I ask for less suction? Yes. Tell the technician if a cup pulls too hard or stings, and it will be eased or moved.
What should I wear to cupping in Saigon? Something easy to take off on top, and a darker shirt for afterwards so the marks stay out of sight.
This is a wellness service, not medical care.