Re-Viet-alised

"OOH! AAH!" we yelped as we dipped our toes gingerly in the hot mud.

Then we eased our bodies into the hot tub as we gradually grew accustomed to the intense heat, and our discomfort was replaced with a warm glow.

I was at I Resort Hot Mineral Spring at Nha Trang (www.i-resort.vn) in Vietnam with my wife Moon and her family. They had been there before, but it was my first time.

The mud at the resort has high mineral content with other trace elements, especially bromine.

Due to its stickiness, mineral mud is considered a natural cosmetic that adjusts hormonal disorders, and cleans and rejuvenates the skin, leaving it finer and smoother.

The mudbath area there has a capacity of 500, and the mud tubs are located outdoors under big shady trees. Our tub accommodated the five of us comfortably.

After soaking in the tub for exactly 20 minutes, we moved on to high-pressure showers to remove the mud. The shower was refreshing and invigorating, and we all felt great.

Outside the mudbath area, there are several recreation options.

The mineral swimming pool has two pools with jacuzzi for adults and three of different depths for children. There is also a big soaking pool for guests who don't want to swim.

Within the pools is a waterfall system where you can play, and bamboo pipes that shoot mineral water over you to help you relax.

Like many Vietnamese families, we had brought a picnic with us, which we enjoyed beside the water, all of us by now thoroughly relaxed.

The resort also has a spa, where you can pamper yourself with mud and mineral water.

The spa menu includes remedies and rituals to soothe the mind and nourish the body, transporting guests to a new level of relaxation and rejuvenation.

This is done with natural flower elixirs, fruit, clay stone, salt, shell herbs and seaweed, all geared towards increasing one's health.

There are nine different massages on offer,including Vietnamese, Warm Stone, Herbal Compress and Sports.

Apart from massages, other services include foot reflexology, body treatment, slimming, and steambath, sauna and jacuzzi.

Finally, for the ultimate indulgence, there is the Tent Luxury Service, where for VND10 million (S$630), four guests may enjoy a separate villa until 8pm - bathing with coffee, a body massage with cosmetic mud, soaking in hot mineral mud, another body massage, body and nail care, fruit and fruit juice, and a free bottle of wine.

There are also products on sale, such as premium cosmetic mud, mud creta, mineral water and mineral spray.

The resort also has a 450-seat restaurant that serves Asian and Western dishes. We ended our three-hour stay thoroughly relaxed and rejuvenated.

If you happen to be in Nha Trang - which is well worth a visit for its pristine beaches and world-class sea sports - drop by I Resort Hot Mineral Spring to recharge your batteries.

This article was first published on April 14, 2015.
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