A VIP Manicure Experience in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Vietnam
Contributor Chris Scott finds the ultimate VIP Vietnamese manicure experience, a surprise perk of a hot pot dinner.
When we visited Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), I was determined to get a manicure at a Vietnamese nail salon.
The Lure of the Legendary Vietnamese Manicure
Having heard from my nail tech back home about the state-of-the-art tools and hand-sculpted lotus designs offered by nail salons in Vietnam, I was determined to find and define this world-class experience for myself. However, what began as my personal mission to experience the legendary artistry of a Vietnamese manicure turned into a rain-soaked adventure through Ho Chi Minh City.
The journey was anything but a straight path for my husband and me. Our ten-minute walk toward Bến Thành Market was interrupted by a massive monsoon that flooded the streets, forcing us to duck in and out of shops while dodging some of the city’s 9 million motorcycles.
After being turned away from a packed local salon with a multi-hour wait, my dream of a professional Vietnamese manicure seemed to be washing away in the rain.
Haidilao Hot Pot: A Fork in the Wet Road
The turning point occurred inside the Bitexco Financial Tower. After ducking into a sporting goods store to buy $15 Columbia weatherproof shoes to replace our soaked footwear, we headed up the escalator and discovered Haidilao Hot Pot.
To my amazement, nestled right next to the dining area was a sleek nail salon. The staff explained an unbelievable perk: The professional nail services were a complimentary part of the dining experience.
While waiting for a table or after finishing a meal, guests could access the very high-tech, efficient care I had been searching for all day.
A Pampered Manicure Experience
The experience exceeded every expectation. After a delicious $ 6-per-person hot pot dinner, I was escorted to the salon chair and offered a choice of over 100 gel colors. The transition from sopping-wet traveler to pampered guest was seamless.
- Efficiency & Skill: The technician quickly and safely removed my old dipping powder, proving the cutting-edge tools I’d heard about were no exaggeration.
- Total Relaxation: The service included a precision trim, shaping, and multiple coats of a stunning iridescent orange gel, all while I enjoyed a soothing neck and hand massage.
- Unrivaled Hospitality: This restaurant is so famous for its service that it was actually a Harvard Business School case study. They even offer “solo diner” teddy bears to keep you company, and provide hair ties and smocks to keep your clothes clean. As I finished, I was handed a cold drink, ice cream, and a gift bag of Vietnamese snacks.
My quest for a Vietnamese manicure was finally fulfilled in the most unexpected of places. The rain, once an obstacle, became the very thing that led me to a true hidden gem—a world-class restaurant where the “perfect manicure” was as impressive as the hospitality.
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