Travel innately is good for mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. We travel to escape, destress, have fun, learn something new, and connect with ourselves, friends, or family.
When people take a break or go on holiday, most are probably not aware that they are in one form or another taking a wellness trip.
According to Global Wellness Institute, there are two types of wellness travel. One is primary wellness travel which is driven by the sole purpose of health and wellbeing. This is normally associated with choosing a wellness destination or wellness resort/retreat for a long stay. Secondary wellness travel is more common and most travelers fall into this category. Wellness activities are ‘add-ons’ to their trip whether it be business or leisure. It’s common for travelers these days to visit a spa, eat local vegetarian food, or take a yoga or meditation class on their trips.
I took a short break recently to Danang for some R&R. I chose Danang for its beach and proximity to the ancient town of Hoi An. It was my first trip since the pandemic and I wanted to see what was new and of course, indulge in all the local foods that I missed over the past three years. As it turns out, many of the activities on my trip were actually focused on my health and wellbeing.
Vitamin Sea
Having chosen the coastal destination of Danang, by default I’ve already made a decision that supports my wellbeing.
Breathing in the ocean air which contains negative air ions is often cited for boosting mood due to the increase in serotonin and improving absorption of oxygen which contributes to better sleep.
Direct contact with seawater, whether soaking or swimming, is also beneficial for the skin. Rich in magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium, these minerals are anti-inflammatory and help to heal and protect the skin.
I stayed at a hotel near the sea so every morning I took a walk along the beach. In the early morning, the beach would be filled with local people swimming and exercising. It’s no wonder that most people in Danang look fit, unlike Ho Chi Minh City where a sedentary lifestyle is associated with rising obesity.
I enjoy my morning beach walks. It’s meditative and a great way to get the joints and muscles moving in the morning. Breathing in the ocean air, I feel as if my lungs are being cleansed and expanded. The sole of my feet also benefit from the natural sand exfoliation and any skin inflammation I may have would be healed by the salt water. Nature’s healing properties are powerful and it’s free!
Wellness x Medical Tourism
According to the Global Wellness Institute, the difference between wellness versus medical tourism is that wellness tourism is for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing health and wellbeing. Whereas, medical tourism is to treat existing conditions or aesthetic procedures by a medical doctor. I would say that my visit to the chiropractor is a mix of both.
I’ve had a sore neck and shoulder for nearly six months. When I heard that my go-to chiropractor was in Danang at the same time I was planning my trip, I made an appointment at American Chiropractic Clinic (ACC) to get my neck treated. Dr. Wade treated my sciatica and shoulder injury from years before in Saigon so I have confidence in his chiropractic skill and he was worth flying out to Danang for treatment. Believe me I would not let just anyone adjust my spine and neck!!! During my 4-day stay in Danang, I was able to squeeze in two treatments. It only took 30-45min for each visit so it wasn’t disruptive to my holiday at all. Since my condition wasn’t serious, I was able to continue my activities after the treatment.
Massage Therapy
My second day was spent in Hoi An. I’ve been doing a lot of walking so felt like I could use a massage as a break during the day. There are a lot of massage and spas in both Hoi An and Danang so it’s hard to know where to go if you don’t have local recommendations.
Massage therapy (versus relaxing massage) is not common in spas outside of resort spas like the Four Season The Nam Hai or TIA Wellness Resort. I did, however, find a spa in Hoi An that offered massage with cupping. This sounded more therapeutic than some of the typical massage services offered at other spas. I thought cupping would help with the tension in my shoulder. This was non-invasive, the cups were not treated with heat or fire so it was safe and comfortable. The silicone cups were placed on each side of my shoulder. They are like suction cups and pulled up my skin and the underlying tissues such as fascia. This is a lighter version of Myofascial Release, a type of therapy to relieve muscle tension. The cups were moved every few minutes on my shoulder blade. Of the 75 minutes, cupping took up about 15 minutes and the rest was a hand massage. It was the perfect combination of hand massage with cupping and was deeply relaxing while releasing tension at the same time. Keep in mind that cupping can cause discoloration like a bruise. Regular cupping which uses glass and fire/heat normally leaves a reddish purple blemish.
Mindfulness
On my last evening in Danang, I took a walk along the boardwalk. There were a lot of people out and noticed a group of people doing Qigong and standing meditation on the beach. Despite the crowds and noise, they were very focused on their practice. The slow movement along with the breathing practice and taking in the negative ions from the sea is a perfect way to release the stresses of the day. While this was a sporadic discovery, I’m sure there are classes and clubs that meet regularly for meditation and Qigong in Danang.
Healthy Eating
I didn’t have time to visit many vegetarian/vegan restaurants and healthy food shops in Danang but did manage to visit my favorite plant-based restaurant called Roots. It’s located near the beach so I made a stop there to have some cashew-based ice cream to cool off. And on my way to the airport, I ordered a falafel platter as takeaway for lunch since food at the airport is often not the healthiest.
I felt refreshed after my 4-day trip to Danang. I got to spend time near the sea for fresh air and other health benefits; found relief for my neck and shoulder; experienced a relaxing massage; and ate some healthy food. For me, wellness is a lifestyle so when I travel, I tend to gravitate towards activities that support my wellbeing. For those who have not adopted a wellness lifestyle, sometimes travel or taking part in a wellness retreat, can be life-changing and can be the start of their wellness journey.
If you’re interested in a customized wellness trip or retreat in Vietnam, please send your query to contact@wellnessvietnam.com
Header photo courtesy of Fusion Suites Danang.
