Massage serves two main purposes: relaxation and pain relief. While there's overlap, understanding the difference helps you communicate with your therapist and get the results you want. Here's how to choose.
Gentle techniques focused on stress relief and calm.
From 500,000 VND
Best For:
Techniques:
Targeted techniques to address specific pain and tension.
From 500,000 VND
Best For:
Techniques:
| Aspect | Relaxation Massage | Pain Relief / Therapeutic Massage |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Mental and physical relaxation | Address specific pain or tension |
| Pressure Level | Light to medium—comfortable throughout | Medium to firm—may feel intense on tight areas |
| Coverage | Full body, even attention everywhere | Focused on problem areas with some full body |
| Recommended Services | Aroma Body Massage, Hot Stone Massage | Thai Massage, Shiatsu, Cupping Massage |
| After Effects | Calm, sleepy, peaceful | Relief in problem areas, may have mild soreness |
| Ideal Timing | Evening before bed | Anytime—morning if you want to feel the benefits all day |
Choose relaxation massage if you're stressed, have trouble sleeping, or just want to unwind. No specific pain needed—it's preventive wellness.
Choose pain relief massage if you have specific issues: back pain, stiff neck, sore muscles from exercise, or chronic tension that bothers you daily.
Same-day booking. Confirmed in minutes.
Living in HCMC? Set a recurring weekly slot.
Keep your routine simple with English support and therapist continuity.
Explore HCMC Resident Recurring BookingTMJ disorders affect millions of people worldwide, causing jaw pain, headaches, clicking sounds, and difficulty eating.
Read moreHip pain limits everything — walking, sitting, sleeping, and exercising all become difficult when your hips are restricted.
Read moreKnee pain is one of the most common complaints among travelers, athletes, and office workers — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to massage therapy.
Read moreYour Safety Matters
Every MassageGo therapist meets strict qualification requirements
All therapists hold professional massage therapy certificates from accredited Vietnamese training programs.
Each therapist completes a minimum of 200 hours of hands-on training before joining our team.
We require at least 3 years of professional massage experience at hotels or licensed spas.
Our therapists can communicate in basic English to ensure a comfortable experience for international guests.
Every therapist goes through our rigorous 4-step screening process
We review professional certifications, training records, and a minimum of 3 years of spa or hotel experience.
Government-issued ID verification and background check to ensure your safety and peace of mind.
Hands-on skills test covering multiple massage techniques, hygiene protocols, and professional conduct.
Regular performance reviews based on customer feedback. Therapists maintain a 4.5+ rating to stay active.
Pay cash (VND) after your session — the price you see is the price you pay
Everything you need to know before you book
Once you have a direction — even a tentative one — same-day booking is available for all services. The fastest path from "I think I want Thai massage" to a therapist in your room is WhatsApp: send the service, your hotel name, duration, and preferred time. Confirmation within 30 minutes. If you are still genuinely deciding, message us with your situation — what your body feels like, what you want from the session, how much time you have — and we will suggest the right service before confirming. Changing your choice after booking is easy as long as you message at least 30 minutes before the therapist departs.
Three practical factors matter when choosing between services: (1) time available — clothed services (Thai, shiatsu, foot, head and shoulder) can be arranged with 1–2 hours notice; oil services need 2–3 hours; (2) the evening's plans — if you plan to sleep immediately after, oil-based services (aromatherapy, hot stone) are well-suited; if you are going out, clothed services leave no residue or smell; (3) physical state — for general fatigue and tension, Thai or aromatherapy; for specific pain points, shiatsu or cupping; for travel recovery, Thai or shiatsu. Budget is rarely the deciding factor — the price range across all services is narrow (500,000–600,000 VND for most 60-minute sessions).
Regardless of which service you choose, the booking and arrival experience is the same: therapist arrives at your door, introduces themselves, briefly confirms your preferences and any health considerations (takes 2 minutes), and sets up. For first-time guests, the pre-session consultation is more thorough — the therapist wants to understand your pressure preferences and any areas to avoid. Be honest about discomfort during the session; therapists adjust continuously and prefer knowing rather than guessing. Sessions run the full booked duration. No prepayment is required. Cash settles directly with the therapist at the end of the session. Most guests book a second session before the first one ends.
“Booked for relaxation. Mentioned lower back pain at the start. The therapist adjusted and addressed the pain directly. Came out relaxed AND in less pain. Didn't realise both could happen in the same session.”
Sarah K.
Canada