Three mornings of doubles in a row, a hotel bed that's a little too firm, and by day four your calves are talking to you. Most of the time that's all it is, and Vietnam happens to be one of the best places in the world to be sore: a good massage costs less than lunch at home. Once in a while it's a real injury. This guide covers both, with 2026 prices: how to find a proper sports massage, what to buy at a pharmacy, and where to see an English-speaking doctor in Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon.
The short answer
Just sore? Book a 60-minute deep tissue or acupressure massage at a mid-range spa. It costs 450,000 to 700,000 dong (about US$17 to $27).
A small strain? Pharmacy chains like Long Chau and Pharmacity sell painkillers, anti-inflammatory gel, pain-relief patches and rehydration salts for a few dollars, no prescription needed.
Something worse? International clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang and Saigon have English-speaking doctors. A consultation costs about 800,000 to 1,500,000 dong (US$31 to $58). The ambulance number is 115. Keep every receipt for your insurer.
Which situation are you in?
Start here. Most people who ask me about this are in the first row.
| How you feel | What to do | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff, tired legs, sore shoulder | Rest day plus a 60 to 90 minute massage | US$17 to $40 |
| A mild strain or a tweaked wrist | Ice, rest, gel or patches from a pharmacy chain | US$2 to $10 |
| Pain that hasn't eased after two days | International clinic or physio | US$31 to $58 a consultation |
| Can't walk on it, a pop in the heel, or a hard fall on the wrist | Stop playing and see a doctor today | From US$31, plus any X-ray |
| Chest pain, confusion, collapse | Call 115 or get a car to the nearest hospital now | Don't think about the cost |
How much does a massage cost in Vietnam?
A 60-minute full body massage costs 150,000 to 250,000 dong at a basic parlour, 450,000 to 700,000 dong at a good mid-range spa, and 800,000 dong or more in a hotel. That's roughly US$6 to $10, US$17 to $27, and US$31 and up.
| Treatment | Basic parlour | Mid-range spa | Hotel spa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot massage | 100,000 to 200,000 VND | 300,000 to 450,000 VND | 700,000+ VND |
| Full body | 150,000 to 250,000 VND | 450,000 to 700,000 VND | 800,000+ VND |
| Hot stone | Rarely offered | 600,000 to 1,000,000 VND | 1,200,000+ VND |
| Herbal compress | Rarely offered | 500,000 to 900,000 VND | 1,000,000+ VND |
Prices run higher in Hanoi's Old Quarter, District 1 in Saigon and Hoi An's old town. Tipping isn't required but it's normal: 20,000 to 50,000 dong at a basic place, more at a nicer spa. For more on tipping and cash, see money in Vietnam.
How do you get a real sports massage, not a tourist rub?
The cheapest places on the main tourist streets mostly do a gentle oil massage. Lovely after a long flight, not much use for a tight calf. For recovery after pickleball, this is what works:
- Choose a mid-range spa with prices on the wall. Prices should be posted before you sit down. If they only tell you after, leave.
- Ask for deep tissue or acupressure. The Vietnamese words are massage trị liệu (therapeutic massage) and bấm huyệt (acupressure). Many spas list them on the menu.
- Point to where it hurts before you start. Say "pickleball" and show them the calf, the shoulder or the forearm. They'll spend the time there.
- Look for spas run by visually impaired therapists. You'll find them in Hanoi, Hoi An and Saigon. The pressure is usually excellent, and your money goes to good work.
- Skip deep massage on a fresh injury. If something swelled up today, ice it and wait a couple of days, or see a physio first.
| English | Vietnamese |
|---|---|
| Stronger, please | Mạnh hơn |
| Softer, please | Nhẹ thôi |
| That hurts | Đau |
| Just right | Vừa phải |
| No oil, please | Không dùng dầu |
In the mountains near Sapa, try a Red Dao herbal bath: a wooden tub of hot water steeped with forest herbs. It costs a few dollars and does more for stiff legs than you'd expect. There's more in things to do in Sapa.
What can you buy at a pharmacy in Vietnam?
Pharmacies are everywhere, and the big chains (Long Chau, Pharmacity and An Khang) are the safest place to buy. They source through checked supply chains, print proper receipts for insurance claims, and usually have a pharmacist who speaks some English.
| Item | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol, ibuprofen | 5,000 to 30,000 VND (under US$1.20) | Same drugs as at home, different brand names |
| Oral rehydration salts | 3,000 to 8,000 VND a sachet | Ask for Oresol. Useful after a hot morning on court |
| Anti-inflammatory gel | A few dollars | Show the pharmacist your packet from home or a photo |
| Pain-relief patches | A few dollars a box | Salonpas-style patches are on most shelves |
| Elastic bandage, wrist or ankle support | A few dollars | Bigger branches stock basic supports |
Antibiotics need a prescription. The rule has been there for years, and since 2024 the big chains enforce it far more often. Don't self-medicate. If you think you need antibiotics, you need a doctor. Bring your regular medicines from home in their original packets, with a copy of the prescription.
Where can you see an English-speaking doctor in Vietnam?
Private international hospitals and clinics in Hanoi, Saigon and Da Nang have English-speaking doctors, and a consultation costs about 600,000 to 1,500,000 dong (US$23 to $58). Expect to pay upfront or leave a card deposit. Some offer direct billing with big insurers like Cigna, Allianz, AXA and Bupa, but ask before you're treated.
| City | Hospital or clinic | Consultation |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Hanoi French Hospital (24-hour emergency) | From 1,200,000 VND |
| Hanoi | Vinmec Times City | 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND |
| Hanoi | Family Medical Practice (physio and sports medicine) | From 900,000 VND |
| Hanoi | Hong Ngoc General Hospital | 600,000 to 1,000,000 VND |
| Da Nang | Family Medical Practice Da Nang | From 900,000 VND |
| Da Nang | Vinmec Da Nang | 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND |
| Da Nang | Hoan My Da Nang | 500,000 to 800,000 VND |
| Saigon | FV Hospital | From 1,500,000 VND |
| Saigon | Vinmec Central Park | 800,000 to 1,500,000 VND |
| Saigon | Family Medical Practice (physio and sports medicine) | From 900,000 VND |
For physiotherapy, Family Medical Practice runs physio and sports medicine in Hanoi and Saigon. Its Da Nang clinic handles basic injury care and refers bigger cases north or south. The same goes for hospitals in general: Da Nang is fine for a sprain or a stomach bug, but for anything serious, people usually transfer to Hanoi or Saigon. Hoi An is 45 minutes from the Da Nang hospitals.
Travel with someone who knows where to go
On our private trips, your English-speaking guide knows the nearest clinic in every town, calls ahead, translates at the desk and handles the paperwork. We'll also book a massage for your rest day if you ask.
See the tripsCommon pickleball injuries for players over 50, and what to do
Most pickleball injuries are strains and sprains, and they tend to happen in the first few days of a trip, when you're jet-lagged, playing more than usual and not used to the heat. The ones I see most:
- Calf strain or Achilles pain. The quick push off the back foot. A sharp pop or a feeling of being kicked in the heel needs a doctor the same day.
- Rolled ankle. Ice it, raise it and strap it. If you can't put weight on it, get an X-ray.
- Wrist after a fall. Backpedalling for a lob is the classic. Swelling or pain when you grip means an X-ray, not a patch.
- Sore elbow or shoulder. Usually overuse from playing every day. Take a day off, and save the deep massage for the shoulder, not a fresh injury.
The easiest prevention is pacing. Warm up properly, play every other day for the first few days, and drink more than you think you need. My guide to playing pickleball in the heat covers the heat side in detail.
What to do in a medical emergency in Vietnam
- Call 115 for an ambulance. In central Hanoi or Saigon it usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, longer in Da Nang or the suburbs.
- A car is often faster. Get a taxi, a Green SM or your driver straight to the nearest international hospital, or call the hospital's own ambulance. Private ambulances cost about 500,000 to 2,000,000 dong.
- Bring your passport and a card. Private hospitals usually ask for a deposit before treatment.
- Call your insurer early. Their assistance line can confirm direct billing and arrange transfers.
- Keep every document: receipts, test results and the discharge summary, in English if you can.
Travel insurance: what to check if you play sport
Don't travel without it. A medical evacuation to Bangkok or Singapore can cost US$15,000 to $50,000. Before you buy, ask the insurer, in writing:
- Is recreational pickleball covered as a sport?
- Is there an age limit or a higher age band for your age?
- Are your pre-existing conditions covered, and do you need to declare them?
- Is medical evacuation included, and up to how much?
- Do they direct-bill hospitals in Vietnam, or do you pay and claim back?
For more on travelling here later in life, read Vietnam for seniors. If you're planning the money side, what a pickleball trip to Vietnam costs has a full budget.
Recovery and healthcare in Vietnam: FAQ
Is massage in Vietnam good for sore muscles after pickleball?
Yes, if you choose the right place. Ask a mid-range spa for deep tissue or acupressure (bấm huyệt) and show them where it hurts. Sixty minutes costs about 450,000 to 700,000 dong (US$17 to $27).
Can I buy painkillers in Vietnam without a prescription?
Yes. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory gel, pain-relief patches and rehydration salts are sold over the counter at chain pharmacies such as Long Chau and Pharmacity. Antibiotics need a prescription.
How much does it cost to see a doctor in Vietnam as a tourist?
At a private international hospital or clinic, a consultation costs about 600,000 to 1,500,000 dong (US$23 to $58) in 2026. X-rays and tests are extra. You usually pay upfront.
What is the emergency number in Vietnam?
Call 115 for an ambulance. In a city, a taxi or private car to the nearest international hospital is often faster.
Is there physiotherapy for sports injuries in Vietnam?
Yes. Family Medical Practice offers physiotherapy and sports medicine in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In Da Nang, clinics handle basic injury care and refer complex cases to the bigger cities.
The bottom line
If you're sore after pickleball in Vietnam, book a deep tissue massage at a mid-range spa for about US$17 to $27. If you've strained something, a chain pharmacy has what you need for a few dollars. If it's worse, an English-speaking doctor at an international clinic costs about US$23 to $58 a visit. Pace yourself in the first few days, take your rest days seriously, and carry insurance that covers sport. Then the only thing you'll need is the massage.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have a heart condition, take regular medication or have had a recent injury, talk to your doctor before you travel and play.
Where these numbers come from
Hospital fees and emergency details are from published 2026 rates compiled by Vietnam Tourism's guide to hospitals and clinics, and Family Medical Practice's own service pages. Pharmacy prices are from Vietnam Tourism's 2026 pharmacy guide and what I pay at Long Chau and Pharmacity. Massage prices are from Local Vietnam's 2026 price list and spas I use with travellers. Exchange rate used: about 26,000 dong to US$1. Prices change, so check before you go.
Ask the people who play here
Join Pickleball in Vietnam, our free Facebook group. Ask for a good massage near your court, find a morning game and swap tips with players who live here.
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