The Good Customer

L’Apothiquaire Vietnam

In the midst of bustling Ho Chi Minh city, the metropolis of Vietnam, you can find a myriad of spas and beauty salons. I have frequented a multitude of these spas over the years – primarily because the services are a fraction of the costs in North America.

It’s always pleasant to stumble upon a diamond in the rough. L’Apothiquaire in Ho Chi Minh is such the jewel.

To give you some insight into the spa culture of this city, let me tell you what to expect when you venture into one of these beauty salons. Consider yourself lucky if you encounter a staff member in any spa that can communicate adequately in the English language. That being said, it is not always easy to get accurate descriptions of their services and it’s not always easy to make special requests. I’ve learned to accept this and just relax… it’s a spa nevertheless.

As you approach the front entrance of L’Apothiquaire, you are enveloped in the luxurious scents of essential oils. You are promptly greeted when you enter and invited to take a seat in one of their plush antique chairs. Hot tea is promptly served to you. If it is your first visit, they create a profile for you. The spa personnel can provide detail information on their services and can suggest services for you after performing an initial skin analysis.

Upon subsequent visits, the spa is able to accommodate to my needs because they have a detailed profile of my previous visits. Sounds like the normal operating procedures of any spa establishment? Actually, no. This is the first spa in Ho Chi Minh that I have encountered which utilizes a database system for their clients.

L’Apothiquaire markets itself as a traditional French day spa. Not only do they use their house-brand products in all their services but they also sell these products in their store front. All products are certified organic. This full service spa caters to both men and women. They offer a wide variety of services such as massages, facials, body treatments, and manicure/pedicures.

It’s always a pleasure to visit L’Apothiquaire…. where everybody knows my name… where everybody pampers me… where everybody makes an effort to make my visit more memorable than the last.

http://www.lapothiquaire.com

Popularity: 19% [?]

“Oh look …. a castle!”  

In the midst of newly constructed high rises, hotels, and shopping centres lies this beautiful “castle”. What used to be a predominantly residential area is now awakened with the boom of commercialism. And with that the Khaisilk Corporation has added another restaurant to their list – Cham Charm Gallery Cuisine. As noted in it’s name, the establishment is both a restaurant and gallery. From what I know, a great deal of attention was put into designing the building and its interior.

Cham Charmis almost a miniature museum of artifacts and sculptural works from the culturally rich “Champa” period (2nd to 12th century). A period that played a significant role in shaping the political and cultural history of South East Asia.

With over 16,000 square feet, this multi level restaurant boasts an open air terrace with 360 degree view, cigar & cognac lounge, and over 1,300 bottles of select wine.

Offering fine dining, private dining, specialty buffets, and champagne brunches, this restaurant is indeed a destination. Oh, and the food! A well appointed menu with selections from all over the world.

Upon entering this colossal building, you are immediately transformed into another era. Working personnel are a plenty and are always on hand to assist. Customer service is absolutely divine. You can’t help but feel like royalty, dining in your own majestic palace. 

Cham Charm is a truly lavish dining experience that will tantalize all your senses!

Located in District 7 in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. 02 Phan Van  Chuong Street,   Phu My Hung New Urban             Tel: (08) 5410 9999        Cham Charm website

Popularity: 87% [?]

L'Occitane Ho Chi Minh~

It is dark. I am lying face down. Feeling a bit chilly. Perhaps it’s because I only have a towel draped over me. I am held hostage with my head planted in the “hole”. I am not able to see the activity around me but I am not unaware. Relying on my super-duper hearing I am able to piece together the scene in my head. The door opened a few seconds ago… letting all the outside noise infiltrate the room. I don’t think the door has been closed properly because I can still hear people talking, laughing, and walking. Walking??? Are they walking by my room? Can they see me in my state of undress? This worries me and I start to feel panicky. One should not be feeling stressed when they are at the spa.

My masseuse continues to walk in and out of room a number of times during my session. This confuses me, because I am left in the dark, literally. I am not informed as to what is happening around me. A couple of times, the door opens and someone begins to carry on a conversation with my masseuse. Really??? What happened to “my time”? Focus here!

After my namby-pamby massage, I am left alone again. Did they forget about my facial? Somebody enters the room. Finally! The final step of my facial was a peel off face mask. The mask was applied. I am not informed as to how long I need to wait. Instead, she leaves the room. Alone again. After some time, I found myself trying to figure out how much time had passed. My mind begins to wander and I think of movies involving inmates – and how they lose track of time thus resorting to making marks on the walls. I wish I could see a clock. I wish I could just see. My anxiety builds. I think about counting sheep. Maybe I can figure out how much time passes or maybe just pass out. Either way, it may alleviate my anxiety. At this point, I am certain that the staff have forgotten about me. I am cold again.

An eternity later, the spa personnel returns to attend to me. My session is over. I am invited to rinse off in the private shower inside my treatment room. However, I am not left alone this time. She begins to clean up the room. I am confused. Am I supposed to take a shower in the stall with the clear glass doors with her in the room? Seemingly, this was what was expected of me. Just wanting to get out of there, I quickly rinsed off. I wished that I was in the dark again. Awkward.

I am at counter, waiting to pay my bill. Bill paid. Had to request for a receipt as none was offered to me. Of the 5 employees cluttered around the counter, not one thanked me for my business.

Quite unfortunate for L’Occitane En Provence in Ho Chi Minh. I have frequented this spa numerous times over the past several years. During earlier visits the service has been wonderful. But with each subsequent visit, I’ve observed a marked decline in customer service. This last visit will literally be my last.

Popularity: 15% [?]