A new trend: Luxury healthcare resorts in Vietnam

About two years ago, it was reported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that tourists around the world are showing increasing preference for different types of tourism that serve their healthcare and beauty needs.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading around the world in early 2020, this type of tourism is becoming more attractive and is even predicted to be a rising trend in the coming time by industry experts as health has become the top concern among people globally, forcing them to change their behaviour, including travel plans, to meet their healthcare goals.

ETBrandequity, an India-based news site, recently predicted 25 post-COVID-19 tourism and resort trends, specifying the domination of experiential tourism in the near future. Particularly, health farms and spas, among others, are receiving far more attention in the tourism industry.

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh proves a new trendy magnet to tourism lovers

In Vietnam, tourism associated with relaxation, healthcare, and rehabilitation is drawing the attention of tourists. Notably, this trend is shaped and developed with the emergence of a relatively new type – hot spring resorts.

In May 2020, as soon as the government brought COVID-19 under control, Quang Ninh – a province in the northeastern coast of Vietnam – rose to the fore as a must-visit destination among holiday-goers with its new trendy tourist magnet: the Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh luxury hot spring resort.

On its first opening days, the resort, as the latest product of major developer Sun Group in Quang Ninh, showed its trendy attraction by a sharp jump in the number of service bookings.

An experience with numerous health benefits

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh has quickly risen to widespread fame because of the quality of Quang Hanh hot spring and its excellent health benefits.

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh hot spring resort

The resort is located about 10km from Halong city and 15km from the centre of Cam Pha to the west. Since the French colonial period, research by French experts flagged Quang Hanh hot spring as one of the most valuable sources of minerals in Vietnam.

“The analysis of samples collected in Quang Hanh hot spring and sent to Tokyo, Japan showed that this water is rich in valuable minerals, including metasilicic acid and boric acid. Particularly, Na+ and Cl- ions account for more than 20 grammes per litre. It also contains a significant portion of Bromine, up to 40mg per litre," said Wataru Shintaku, a Japanese hot spring expert and the director of Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh.

“As one of three mineral water springs with the highest content of hot mineralised Bromine in the world, Quang Hanh mineral spring is an invaluable natural gift that allows great relaxation and health benefits, especially for the elderly and people working under pressure,” Shintaku added.

Rock bath and jacuzzi bath at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

With such a high content of precious minerals and Bromine, the mineral water in Quang Hanh Onsen helps eliminate toxins, promotes blood circulation, boosts immunity, supports the treatment of skin diseases, rejuvenates the skin, relaxes the nerves, and helps to get a deep and refreshing sleep easy to sleep after each day of work in addition to reducing fatigue, relieving pain, and quickly restoring musculoskeletal functions.

The hot mineral bath is especially good for the elderly, those doing mental work in a stressful environment, and women wishing to have youthful skin and a vibrant body.

Pot baths at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

A representative of the resort said that Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh has as many as 27 baths with many different uses. For example, the Silky Bath may be used for cleansing and relaxing the whole body while helping to clear pores and beautifying the skin.

The high concentration CO2 aeration tank (carbonate aeration tank) helps clean the skin, expand capillaries, reduce high blood pressure, and increase the concentration of oxygen in the blood in addition to warming the body from the inside. Japanese research showed that high concentration CO2 aeration tanks help reduce clinical symptoms in diabetic patients.

Different types of sauna and spa services after mineral bath are also preferred at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh. Loyly rock sauna – commonly known as “the panacea” among the Finns – soothes aching muscles for healthy and smooth skin. Meanwhile, Himalayan salt stone sauna will be a great treatment for people with respiratory problems.

Cold steam inhalation therapy at temperatures down to 6 degrees Ceslius is also very popular among customers, especially female visitors for its help to smoothen the skin. 25 Japanese-style spa rooms providing massage therapy with Shiatsu reflexology is also a must-try for those who wish to have "everlasting youth" and beauty.

Spa services at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

Tran Thi Hanh, a tourist from Cam Pha city, said that her family has spent two weekends at the resort since it opened. “Cam Pha people already knew about this mineral spring for a long time. Mineral baths are a good way to renew energy for a healthier body. If possible, taking mineral bath once a week helps take care of both physical and mental health.”

Rock sauna at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh

Nguyen Thanh Binh from Hanoi was also excited when talking about his hot spring bath experience at Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh.

“There are many types of baths, which are more diverse, better, and even much more beautiful than those in Japan. After a bath, hot steam then cold steam inhalation therapies, I felt amazingly fresh. This should be a regular destination for healthcare and strengthening resistance to diseases,” said Binh.

Taking a rest in a pure Japanese space in the middle of the cool Quang Hanh valley surrounded by green forests and mountains while enjoying wonderful mineral bath services with many health benefits make for a compelling case for healthcare resort services like Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh.