Gua sha and herbal steam Ho Chi Minh City: what a session at Tong Gia feels like
Tong Gia team · Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh · 2026-10-29
At Tong Gia in Ho Chi Minh City, herbal steam costs 120,000 VND (about $5) and jade gua sha for the face costs 550,000 VND (about $21) for 60 minutes, at 225 Duong Thi Muoi Street, District 12 (8:00 to 20:00) and Unit T16-21, The Manhattan, Vinhomes Grand Park, Thu Duc City (9:00 to 20:00), daily. Put together, they make a quiet visit that moves from warmth with no touch at all to slow, careful touch, and this guide walks through how each part feels.
Both come from Vietnamese home habits. Families steamed with herbs when someone felt chilled and reached for a comb or a coin for cạo gió (gua sha) when a neck went stiff.
Part one: the steam, where nobody touches you
Herbal steam is the passive half. You settle into warm, herb-scented steam and the job is simply to breathe. The herbal smell is strongest at first. After a while the warmth reaches the shoulders and the back of the neck, the forehead turns damp, and breathing slows on its own.
There is nothing to do and nothing to get right. If the heat starts to feel like too much, or you feel faint, say so and step out; it should feel pleasant, not like an endurance test. Afterwards, wipe your face, sip some water and give yourself a minute before moving on.
Many guests like steam first because the skin and the muscles around the jaw and neck are already warm and soft when the gua sha begins. Steam afterwards is fine too if you would rather finish warm.
Part two: an hour with the jade on your face
Before anything touches your skin, the technician looks at your face and how you hold your shoulders. This observation is the habit of the founder, Lương Y Tống Văn Huynh, a traditional Vietnamese wellness master with more than 13 years in the field. It helps decide where to slow down; it is not a check of your health.
Then you lie on your back. The jade feels cool for the first stroke and warms quickly against the skin. The strokes are light and unhurried: across the forehead, along the brow line, out from the nose over the cheekbones, and down the jaw toward the ears. Around the jaw you may notice how much you had been clenching.
The pressure stays gentle the whole hour, because the face does not need force. If anything feels scratchy or too firm, mention it and the stroke is adjusted.
When you sit up, the skin may look a little flushed. That fades soon.
About the comb in the photo
The photo shows another side of cạo gió: a comb drawn along the back of the neck toward the base of the skull. It feels like a firm, ticklish scratch that turns warm. Gua sha on the head, neck or back is not a fixed retail item, so if you would like it as part of your visit, ask when booking and the team will tell you what is possible that day and the price.
Small things that make the visit better
- Come without heavy makeup if you are booking face gua sha.
- Bring a hair tie if your hair is long.
- Eat something light; a heavy meal and warm steam make a sleepy mix.
- Mention sensitive skin, a recent cosmetic procedure on the face, or any skin that is broken or sunburnt. Those areas are left alone.
- Skip the steam if you have a fever or feel unwell. If you are pregnant or have a heart or blood-pressure condition, see a licensed physician before booking anything involving heat.
Timing and prices
The face gua sha hour should start by about 18:45 to finish before the 20:00 close. If you want steam too, start earlier and ask the team how much time to leave for it.
| Service | VND | About USD |
|---|---|---|
| Herbal steam | 120,000 | 5 |
| Jade gua sha for the face, 60 min | 550,000 | 21 |
| Warm herbal compress | 130,000 | 5 |
Each item is charged at its own retail price. Read more on the cupping, gua sha and herbal steam page, see the full menu on the prices page, and book by WhatsApp or Zalo at +84 888 264 559. Maps: District 12 (4.9★, 235 Google reviews) and Vinhomes Grand Park (5.0★, 208 Google reviews).
FAQ
Does jade gua sha on the face hurt? No. The strokes are light and slow, and the technician adjusts them if anything feels too firm.
Will I sweat in the herbal steam? Most people warm through and feel the forehead turn damp. You can step out whenever the heat feels like too much.
Can I have gua sha on my neck like in the photo? Ask when booking. Gua sha beyond the face is not a fixed retail item, so the team will confirm what is possible and the price.
What is the latest I can start face gua sha in Ho Chi Minh City at Tong Gia? Around 18:45 at either branch, since both close at 20:00. Start earlier if you are adding herbal steam.
This is a wellness service, not medical care.