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Thap Ba Hot Springs (Vietnam)
by ilovemycat
I visited Thap Ba Hot Springs as part of a trip to Vietnam with a mate in March 2009. We had two days in Nha Trang, and used the first for snorkeling. Having templed ourselves out (pretty easy to do in Asia) over the previous week of the trip, we had a flick through our Lonely Planet Guidebook for something slightly more offbeat to ... do.
We discovered this place, famous for its mud baths. We enquired at our hotel for how to get there, and ended up catching a bus from the pretty small tourist centre of town. The Thap Ba Hot Springs are about two miles north of the city centre, past some pretty rundown areas of town (in Vietnam that's about half of everywhere) and we were dropped off at the entrance. We bought a ticket and went in.
The mud baths are on a kind of terraced area at the south end of the complex. You head to those first, and are shown where to shower and where to go. I was expecting a thick treacle-like substance, but the mud was more like brown, grainy, luke-warm water about six inches deep in our little pool. You wear a bathing suit, which is just as well as about five minutes we were abruptly joined by a guy and his girlfriend, and we sat there, the four of us, making polite conversation and feeling a little odd to be sharing such a small space with some total strangers. Apparently you can get private baths, for three times the regular price.
While we were there, a photographer appeared out of nowhere and took a photo of my friend and I in the mud bath. We had to pay for the photograph later, and my only disappointment was that the photographer seemed to be some random private enterprise not connected to the actual place itself, perhaps sub-contracted. We got a nice photo for a small cost (I forget now but it was no more than a pound) but you could have an official photograph put on to the side of a mug which looked like an awesome souvenir. However, I didn't know where I had to sign up for this so obviously our inability to speak Vietnamese (or be clued up to the situation) meant we missed out.
After fifteen minutes or so in the mud bath, we went and showered off, and headed to the relaxation area which makes up the rest of the complex. There were a couple of regular swimming pools, a thermally heated swimming pool (quite a shock when I bomb-dived into 40C water!) and a mineral waterfall. In addition, there were a couple of bars, a restaurant and several lounger areas. We spent the rest of the afternoon loafing around, drinking cocktails. It was a pretty nice way to spend the day. If I ever end up in Nha Trang again, this place will be pretty high up on my list of places to visit.
Entry to the centre cost 60,000 Dong (currently 1.74), but as per the economies of most developing countries I imagine it costs more than that now. A private tub bath was 180,000 Dong.
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Thap Ba Hot Springs (Vietnam)
by marzyuk
I visited Thap Ba Hot Springs in November 2010 as part of my Intrepid trip. It was a little far out from Nha Trang and the last leg of the bus journey is up a windy street past the poorer part of town. On arrival you buy your ticket, but ours were prebooked by our leader and you can rent a towel or bring your own. Everyone gets changed ... in the lockers near by (grab a cubicle or there may be a short wait). We were led up some steps in a bank to where there must be 20 or more baths or various sizes. I imagine this would be packed in summer but we were unlucky enough to have a dull day (we escaped rain for once!).
On arrival a member of staff showed my group to two baths full of a browny liquid, more watery than typical mud. I half expected a thick mud but this was very runny and not that warm at first. You step inside and sit down and cover yourself from top to toe. You can even use the jugs on the side to cover yourself even further. For the full effect I covered everywhere but my face, including my hair. We atayed in for around 30 minutes. It was fun being with a group as there was the expected messing around and covering each other in mud. Very fun and enjoyable.
Usually when the sun is out you go to sit down and let it bake, but as we had miserable weather we were led to a single sex outdoor area to shower off. This was a weird experience as the mus goes everywhere and you must try your best to remove it whilst in front of your companions. Next we were led back down the other side of the bank and went through a wall which blasted hot water at you. It was really refreshing. Next we went to two tubs filled with hot spring water. it was so warming and relaxing. Air jets pumped the water round. It was bliss.
To finish off there are 2 pools to relax in which are very spacious and clean. I opted for the heated pool given the poor weather. It was nice to float around in and relax. After that I sat under the waterfall.
Overall it was a lovely day, more fun than relaxing and definitely worth visiting. I must say even after showering (we didnt use products as advised) my skin felt a little sticky and I didn't see or feel much difference! I would go again, more because it was fun and querky rather than for its spa effect!
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Hin Dat Hot Springs (Thailand)
by mythdata
INTRODUCTION
While touring Thailand for a few months, me and my husband entertained ourselves by going on many tours and excursions. However this soon took its toll after trailing around Thailand for three months.
Before we headed back to the UK, we visited Kanchanaburi as this was a place that I was itching to see ... as it is also home to the world famous River Kwai Bridge.
Kanchanaburi is home to many world war two memorials as well as many national parks, which are home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in the world. As this was the last few days we had left we wanted to take it easy and enjoy the weather.
Me and my husband decided to take advantage of the stunning scenery that surrounds Kanchanaburi, and we found a little place called Hin Dat, which was well know to locals and tourists alike, for their natural hot springs.
What better way to relax on the last few days of our holiday, with a day soaking in these hot springs.
HIN DAT HOT SPRINGS
Hin Dat hot springs is a place that is home to several natural hot water springs, each hot water spring varies in heat. This can be anything from forty five to fifty five degrees Celsius, so as you can imagine they can be very hot.
The hot springs themselves are located next to a cold water river, which in my opinion only adds to the appeal as you can jump in to the river to cool off after you have pruned yourself in the hot springs, but trust me you will scream after going from the hot extreme to the cold one.
The cold water river seemed very popular with many, which I found crazy as it was so cold. On closer inspection I noticed that people who were bathing the in river were getting covered in tiny little fish. These fish turned out to be the legendary Dr fish, which are used to cure skin problems such as Psoriasis however you can benefit from these fish without any skin conditions, as they eat away at the dead skin on your body.
I know this sounds awful, but I sat with just my feet submerged in the water for roughly half an hour and to my surprise when I dried my feet off they were completely free of dead skin cells. This was the best pedicure of my life and for this alone I recommend a visit to the springs.
The hot springs were found by Japanese troops in world war two, and they then erected the massive wells /pools that contain the hot water. I am sure it has had some renovation since world war two, as the pools and shower blocks looked very modern and highly maintained.
At first I thought that the pools were used for a relaxing purpose only, but after talking to an American couple I learned that they are also used regularly by many people who suffer with rheumatism and other joint troubles. As the hot water is believed to have healing properties that help with such problems.
Upon arrival we paid the admission charge of 40 baht, which worked out at 80p and we pointed in the direction of the shower blocks, which were a short walk through the forest and across a large wooden bridge which was suspended high above the hot springs and river below.
Before entering the hot springs you are asked to shower and change into a bathing suit, which for hygiene purposes suited me perfectly. The shower blocks were located in a large stone built building and they were separated into two sections for ladies and gents, and all of the shower cubicles were incased with thick wooden doors so privacy was never an issue.
The one thing that worried me was the fact that you had not where to put your personal possessions, you were expected to throw them down and go off and bath, but we always keep ours close at hand and within easy reach as you do hear horror stories about people being robbed, while on holiday. So for me this place would be a great place for tourists to be targeted.
I started in the hot water spring and then went on to the hotter spring, which took my breath away it was so hot. So I am sure that these are not great for those with heart problems or high blood pressure. If I struggled with the heat I am sure it would have a bad effect on people with such problems.
You can take advantage to the Hin Dat hot springs from 7.30 am - 6.00 pm, the 40 baht entry fee allows you to stay as long as you like, but I am sure a few hours would be enough time to enjoy the springs.
LOCATION
If you are staying in Kanchanaburi, the Hi Dat hot springs are very easy to get to. You just follow the 323 highway to kilometre marker 105 and the hot springs are signposted, so you won't miss them.
If you don't have a car you can either take a taxi from Kanchanaburi, for roughly 300 bart £6.00 and the driver will wait for you to visit the springs and take you back to town for this price. So this is great value for money and very inexpensive to do.
Many people go to the springs as part of an organised tour, which can be arranged at any travel office or hotel for as little at 650 bart £13.00 per person. With this you will also see some of Kanchanburis other memorable sights, however we noticed that the tour groups that visited the springs while we were there only got fifteen minutes in the water before they were getting rushed off for the next attraction.
Kanchanaburi is only 250 kilometres from Bangkok, so you can easily visit within a day as it only takes 2 hours in a taxi from Bangkok, however once you get to kanchanaburi there is plenty to see so I strongly recommend you stay at least one night.
MY OPINION
I had a great time at the hot springs, what more could a girl ask for. Large hot water pools lined with natural stone and then a fishy pedicure to boot all for the bargain price of 80p.
I strongly recommend you visit the Hin Dat Hot Springs if you are ever in the area, even if you don't fancy the soaking in the hot tub or freezing your bits of in the cold river full of flesh eating fish then go for the scenery.
After visiting the springs me and my husband actually went for a fish pedicure in Bangkok, before we flew home. I have to admit is was much more pleasurable in the comfortable surroundings of a beauty shop, but I strongly recommend you give it a try, when your finished it feels like you are wearing new shoes.
I actually learned a lot while I was at the springs, the learned the history of the place, about the wildlife and surrounds plus I got to really relax, so overall I had a fantastic time at the springs.
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