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Cupping Therapy
Suction cups lift skin and fascia — often combined with massage for tight backs and legs.
30 / 60 min · From 300,000 ₫
Services
Traditional Fire Cupping in Da Nang
A centuries-old East Asian technique, performed carefully with glass cups and a brief flame inside the cup.
Pressure: Medium
At a glance
- What it is
- Traditional glass cupping where a brief flame heats the air inside the cup to create suction. The flame never touches the skin. Often paired with massage.
- Best for
- Visitors who want to experience an authentic traditional technique while in Vietnam · People who have tried modern cupping and are curious about the classic glass-cup method · Anyone with persistent tightness across the upper back, shoulders and along the spine
- Pressure
- Medium
- Sessions
- 30′ – 350,000 ₫ · 60′ – 600,000 ₫
- Where & when
- Adella Spa, Da Nang · Daily 09:00–20:00
Fire cupping — giác hơi lửa in Vietnamese — is one of the oldest forms of cupping and is still widely practised in Vietnam and across East Asia. Many Vietnamese families grew up with it as a home remedy for tired muscles and stiffness, and today it sits alongside massage as a familiar part of traditional body care.
The principle is simple. A flame is held inside a glass cup for a moment to heat the air, then removed, and the cup is placed on the skin straight away. As the air inside cools, it contracts and creates suction that lifts the skin and fascia. The flame never touches your skin — it is only ever inside the empty cup, and only for a second or two.
Our Fire Cupping in Da Nang is offered for guests who want to experience this traditional technique in a calm, professional setting, with everything explained before we begin. If you prefer no flame at all, our modern cupping therapy gives a similar lifting sensation using silicone or pump cups.
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The technique
How traditional fire cupping is performed
The therapist uses thick, smooth-rimmed glass cups and a cotton ball held in metal forceps. The cotton is lightly moistened with alcohol and lit, held inside the mouth of the cup for a moment, then withdrawn and extinguished. The cup is placed on the skin immediately. Excess alcohol is squeezed out beforehand so it cannot drip, and the rim of the cup is kept away from the flame so it does not become hot.
As the warmed air inside the cup cools, it creates negative pressure. The skin and superficial tissue rise into the cup, giving a strong, deep pulling sensation, often with a feeling of warmth. Glass cups also let the therapist watch the skin throughout and remove a cup immediately if the suction is too strong.
Fire cupping is usually static: cups stay in place on broad, muscular areas such as the upper back, along the erector spinae and over the shoulders. Some therapists also use a gentle sliding technique with oil, but because suction from a flame is harder to fine-tune than a pump, it is mostly reserved for larger, flatter areas.
In traditional Vietnamese and Chinese practice, fire cupping has been used for generations to ease stiffness and tiredness. Modern research on cupping is limited and its effects are still debated, so we present it honestly: a traditional technique that many people find relaxing and that may help tight muscles feel looser — not a medical treatment.
Who it is for
- Visitors who want to experience an authentic traditional technique while in Vietnam
- People who have tried modern cupping and are curious about the classic glass-cup method
- Anyone with persistent tightness across the upper back, shoulders and along the spine
- Gym members and swimmers who carry tension in the lats and back of the shoulders
- Expats and local guests who grew up with giác hơi lửa and want it done carefully and hygienically
Target muscle areas
- Upper back and trapezius
- The broad upper trapezius and the area between the neck and shoulder blades is the classic location for fire cupping, with plenty of flat muscle for the cups to seal.
- Rhomboids and mid-back
- The rhomboids and middle trapezius between the shoulder blades often feel tight from rounded posture, long flights and desk work.
- Erector spinae (along the spine)
- Cups are placed in rows on the long muscles either side of the spine, never directly over the vertebrae.
- Shoulders and back of the shoulder
- The posterior deltoid and the muscles over the shoulder blade, such as the infraspinatus, can be cupped where the surface is flat enough for a good seal.
- Latissimus dorsi
- The large muscles along the sides of the back, heavily used in pulling, rowing and swimming.
- Hamstrings (on request)
- The back of the thigh can be cupped where the skin is smooth and hair is light. Calves and areas with visible veins are usually better suited to modern cupping with gentler suction.
What to expect
- 01
Arrival and consultation
Your therapist asks about your health, medication and any skin sensitivity, and explains exactly how the flame is used. If you feel uncomfortable with fire in any way, we will suggest modern cupping instead.
- 02
Preparation
You lie face down, comfortably draped. Hair is moved away from the area, and the skin is checked to make sure it is clean, dry of excess oil and suitable for cupping.
- 03
Warm-up
The back and shoulders are usually warmed with hands-on massage first so the muscles are relaxed before the cups go on.
- 04
Fire cupping
Each cup is briefly heated inside with the flame, which is then withdrawn and put out before the cup touches your skin. You will feel a firm pull and gentle warmth. Cups stay in place for a short time while the therapist monitors your skin.
- 05
Removing the cups
Cups are released by pressing the skin beside the rim to let air in — they are never pulled straight off. The area may be finished with light massage.
- 06
After your session
Rest a moment before sitting up and have some water. The cupped areas will usually show round marks, and your therapist will explain how to look after them.
Fire cupping vs modern cupping vs massage
Fire cupping and modern cupping therapy work on the same principle — suction that lifts tissue — but create it differently. Fire cupping uses heat and gives a slightly warm, often stronger static pull. Modern cups use a squeeze or a pump, which makes suction easier to adjust in small steps and more suitable for sliding along a muscle.
Massage, by contrast, presses into the tissue. A relaxation massage uses long, flowing strokes at gentle pressure to calm the whole body; deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure to reach deeper muscle layers in specific areas; and sports massage combines targeted pressure with stretching around training and recovery.
Many guests enjoy fire cupping as part of a longer session — for example a back massage, a few minutes of fire cupping on the upper back, then a short massage to finish. Your therapist can help you choose the right combination, and current options are listed on our pricing page.
Session duration & pricing
All prices are per person, in Vietnamese dong (VND), and include a pre-treatment consultation.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 min | 350,000 ₫ |
| 60 min | 600,000 ₫ |
Aftercare
- Keep the cupped area warm and covered for a few hours, and avoid strong air-conditioning blowing directly on your back.
- Wait several hours before a hot shower, sauna, sunbathing or swimming, and protect the marks from strong sun while they fade.
- Drink water as usual and keep any training that day light.
- Avoid scrubbing or applying strong skincare to the marks; they normally fade within a few days to around two weeks.
- If you notice any blistering, unusual pain or a mark that does not fade, contact a doctor.
Before you book
- Not suitable for anyone who feels anxious or uncomfortable around an open flame — modern cupping is a flame-free alternative.
- Not performed over hair-dense areas, as hair prevents a good seal and the area cannot be safely prepared.
- Consult your doctor first if you have a bleeding or clotting disorder, take blood-thinning medication, are pregnant, or have diabetes affecting your skin or circulation.
- Cups are never applied over broken, fragile, sunburnt or infected skin, varicose veins, or areas of recent surgery.
- Please reschedule if you have a fever or feel unwell.
- Fire cupping is a traditional wellness practice and is not a substitute for medical care.
Massage is not a medical treatment. If you have an injury or medical condition, please consult a doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Does the flame touch my skin?
No. The flame is only ever inside the empty glass cup, for a second or two, to heat the air. It is withdrawn and put out before the cup is placed on your skin. You will feel warmth from the glass and the suction, not the flame.
Is fire cupping safe?
When performed carefully by a trained therapist, with alcohol squeezed out of the cotton, cups kept away from flammable materials, and the rim of the glass never heated directly, fire cupping is generally considered a low-risk wellness technique. It is not suitable for everyone, so please tell us about any health conditions or medication.
Will fire cupping leave marks?
Yes, round marks are very common and can be darker than with gentle modern cupping. They come from small capillary changes under suction, not toxins, and usually fade within a few days to about two weeks. Plan around beach days or photos if visible marks matter to you.
Is fire cupping traditional in Vietnam?
Yes. Giác hơi lửa has long been part of traditional body care in Vietnam and across East Asia, and many Vietnamese people are familiar with it from home. We offer it in a professional setting with clean glass cups and clear safety steps.
Should I choose fire cupping or modern cupping?
If you want the traditional experience and are comfortable with the flame, fire cupping is a great choice for the back and shoulders. If you prefer finely adjustable suction, sliding cups on the legs, or no flame at all, choose modern cupping. Not sure? Ask when you book an appointment.
Can I swim or go to the beach afterwards?
It is best to wait several hours. Sun, salt water and very hot water can irritate freshly cupped skin, and sun exposure may make marks more noticeable.
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