When it comes to coloring my hair I do love a good relaxing trip to the salon – but not if that means ending up with stripey highlights or damaging my hair in the process. Leaving the salon stresssssed is never a look I aspire to achieve, but since moving to Ho Chi Minh City this is typically the look I end up paying for! #SOS

Finding your soulmate may be a hard feat, but finding a hair colourist and stylist is nearly next to impossible. So as you can imagine after 3 years of salon hopping around Saigon, I was at the end of my rope. I’d tried hairdresser after hairdresser, different price points, different brands, different salons, but I never left feeling like they understood what I wanted. I vowed to only get my hair done by my trusted stylist at home even if that meant forking out a round trip ticket to Toronto. That’s when I started hearing incredible things about Concept Coiffure in Ho Chi Minh City, so I decided to give colouring my hair in Saigon one more go.

Concept Coiffure was everything I could have ever asked for in a Saigon salon. My hair was in desperate need of a little TLC and after all was said and done I left Concept Coiffure feeling fresh, more confident and extremely excited about my hair! This is exactly the reason I go to a salon for my colour and cut in the first place. I want to be put in safe hands and know that I can trust my colourists experienced techniques and ability to colour match my hair. I mean, going to a professional for a seamless colour experience is a no-brainer, right? I'm beyond ecstatic that I can finally say that 3 hard years of hunting for a colourist in Ho Chi Minh City paid off and I have finally found the ONE!

About Concept Coiffure

Located in Ho Chi Minh City's, Thao Dien, District 2, Concept Coiffure is tucked away in a beautiful and tranquil villa, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Who wouldn’t love a good salon that leaves you feeling like you took a mini-vacation? Their beautiful interior and backyard pool let you escape reality while your hair is being transformed.

Healthy hair is the key to achieving a fantastic look whether that’s natural or chemically treated. Concept Coiffure uses a range of quality products including Alfaparf Milano, Kerat-in Cosmétique, OLAPLEX, JOICO and CHI. Quality is never compromised as they have chosen to work with top of the line products from around the world, giving your hair the treatment it deserves. To see their full range of products you can read more here!

The salon also offers blow-outs, cuts, perms, facials, massages, keratin treatments, waxing and nail care. It’s truly a one stop shop for all your beauty needs.

Concept Coiffure is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00am to 7:00pm and is located at 48 Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh City.

Hair Consultation

From the moment I stepped into the salon, I was excited to chat more about my hair aspirations with Mr. Tri and his team. Communication is a huge factor when it comes to collaborating on what I envision my hair to look like, and so I try my best to do my part and come prepared. After being so warmly welcomed by the staff, I was introduced to Mr. Tri the wonderful colourist and stylist who would be taking care of me. I showed him a couple of photos I’d love for him to replicate on me and we talked about what my ideal blonde hue would be. He asked me a couple of questions and set out the expectations of what he would be able to achieve!

We both agreed that getting rid of my brassy yellow was a must and amping up the blonde while keeping it as natural as possible was what we were striving for. With this in mind Mr. Tri suggested we go the balayage route to achieve the look I was going for. Perfect!

The Before

Balayage

If you’re not familiar with balayage, in a nutshell, it’s a technique used where the hair color is hand-painted onto the hair to create a graduated, more natural-looking highlight effect. Because it gives you that natural sun-kissed look, the maintenance is much easier than traditional foils. That alone makes balayage hard not to fall in love with!

If you want to recreate those natural looking highlights you had as a kid, then this is how! I can honestly say that I'm a total balayage convert and I can thank Mr. Tri at Concept Coiffure for that! His balayage technique is meticulous and refined, always making sure my hair was benefiting from the colouring products without causing damage. He used a detailed brushing technique, which gave my hair dimension and beautiful pops of brightness. Mr. Tri’s balayage completely transformed my hair into that “I just got back from a lavish summer vacation under the Tuscan sun” look and for that I will be forever grateful.

Balayage in Process

Time to Tone the Hair

The Final Blowdry

Balayage's hand-painted highlights are designed to give you the look of grown-out roots in a way that's flattering and natural. This also means less time and money spent at the salon, and ultimately less damage done to your hair. Yay!

The Final Look

I am over the moon with my refreshed locks (if you couldn't tell already)! I never thought the day in Saigon would come, but here I am, living proof that fantastic salons do exist in this city!

My new look is soft, light and beautifully blended, just what I was hoping for when I stepped through the salon doors. With no sight of striping, harsh lines or dodgy color I am on cloud 9 with my new hair. Mr. Tri’s hand-painted highlights have certainly made me re-think everything I thought I knew about hair colour! Amen!

I can't wait to book-in again with Mr. Tri!

Concept Coiffure Specialized Treatments

Concept Coiffure also offers a range of treatments and hair masks that help to bring life back to your limp locks! Before making an appointment to get my balayage done with Mr. Tri, I went for a Joico K-Pak Color Therapy treatment with my friend Sam (@thereshegoesagn) which was the perfect way to give our hair a boost in a big way!

This treatment is the perfect choice for: all color-treated hair, from blondes to brunettes, lowlights to highlights. With quadra bond peptide complex, stocked with deeply nourishing manketti oil and argan oils, it repairs and seals hair’s outer protective layer to lock in color vibrancy. The silk, soy, and seaweed extract infused into the treatment also lends a unique “slip” to prevent damage during styling.

Other specialized treatments offered at Concept Coiffure include: Joico K-Pak Hair Repair System, Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm and their Immortelle Blonde 18k Repair. Checkout all of their treatments here!

What You Need to Know!

Location: Concept Coiffure, 48 Trần Ngọc Diện, Thảo Điền, Quận 2, Hồ Chí Minh City

Check Them Out: Instagram @conceptcoiffurevn, their Facebook page & at www.ConceptCoiffure.vn

Book An Appointment: Instagram @conceptcoiffurevn, their Facebook page or call them at: 090 990 09 13

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If you have any questions you can also find me on Instagram at @AlyshiaTurchyn! Don’t be afraid to reach out!

September 18, 2020 No comments

The staycation is the new vacation for every travel lover as of late. And you know what? I love it. There’s nothing more exciting than exploring your own backyard and spending a few afternoons enjoying the bliss of doing nothing in a fabulous hotel.

Don’t get me wrong, everyone loves a vacation. I totally get it. I am that person. But, my vacations aren’t always the most rejuvenating experiences to say the least. And to be honest, I typically need a vacation from my vacation which is never an option. Because, life.

I’ve always been a fan of the staycation, so really there was no better time than now to book into Ho Chi Minh City’s trendy and central Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum! Nestled in the lively and vibrant District 1 beside Saigon’s very own Fine Arts Museum, The Hammock Hotel is the trendiest hotel to check in to in the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Usually I never get the time or chance to stay downtown Saigon because I’m either too busy living life, working or prepping to take a vacation anywhere else besides Ho Chi Minh City. I mean, I live here, why would I want to stay here? Isn’t that most people’s mentality anyway? But, to be honest our little staycation could not have been more of what we needed! So, whether you’re looking for fun staycation ideas in Saigon or a fabulously located hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, keep scrolling to find out how you can have a dreamy staycation in the city too.

Checking-In to The Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum

Checking-in to The Hammock Hotel instantly gave us those vacation vibe tingles. Stepping out of the taxi we were first met with the neon Hammock Hotel sign, an elevator and a hip little waiting area, but where on earth was the front desk? Aha! We quickly realized checking-in meant riding the elevator to the 9th floor. Cool. This hotel was already ticking my trendy box.

Once we reached the ninth floor we were warmly welcomed by the front desk who checked us in and gave us the grand tour of this chic boutique hotel. From the rooftop, complete with a billiards table and a forest green Honda Cub, to the dining area, which included complimentary all-day free flow drinks and goodies, to their comfy NEST rooms, which all come equipped with a cozy little hammock, this weekend was definitely going to be a girls getaway to remember!

There are so many corners of The Hammock Hotel to appreciate. The rooftop terrace offers up some gorgeous views of Ho Chi Minh City and allows you to bask in all its glory. The huge free-flow fridge is a neon drink mecca. I’m talking beer, pop, water, energy drinks and milk for absolute days. The all-day instant noodle station and cereal bar are also a nice touch if you’re in need of a little afternoon snack! You can chill out in their little graffiti nook or challenge a friend to a game of foosball (which I totally crushed!). The options are endless and there is so much to do at The Hammock Hotel leaving may not even cross your mind.

With such an incredible location, where you can almost reach out and touch Bitexco Financial Tower, it would be a shame not to wander the streets, at least for a little bit before returning to that cozy hammock in your room!

Rooms & NESTS

Our room, or our NEST as The Hammock Hotel calls it, was fully loaded with everything we could possibly need for our staycation in the city. Each NEST comes equipped with an incredibly comfy hammock, a large comfortable bed, air conditioning, WiFi, toiletries, hair dryer, safe, TV and do-it-yourself laundry. A mini fridge and an open-concept wardrobe are also awesome features to these cute little boutique rooms.

A Tasty Breakfast With Terrific Views

After a much needed sleep-in we were ready to take on another gorgeous Sunday in Ho Chi Minh City! But first, brunch.

As we sipped our cà phê sữa đá we hummed and hawed over their 3 stellar breakfast options. Lee opted for the cơm tấm (pork and rice) and I decided to go with the chicken quesadillas. The cơm tấm was accompanied by a side of delicious scrambled eggs, a veggie spring roll and fresh yoghurt. The chicken quesadillas also came with a side of scrambled eggs, tasty pumpkin soup and a delicious coconut cream pudding. There is no better way to start the day than with a fantastic breakfast. The Hammock Hotel definitely knew how to send us off into the streets of Saigon on the right foot and that's with a full belly!

Massages & Bath Bombs at Blush Spa

I’m a big fan of the colour pink. But I’m an even bigger fan of the colour pink paired with a 60 minutes full body massage! Welcome to Blush Spa! Located directly beside The Hammock Hotel, they provide a variety of signature massages, each of which comes with a hand-made bath bomb to soak your tired feet.

After we were so warmly welcomed into the gorgeous Blush Spa, we were asked to choose which essential oil we’d like to use during our 60 minute full body massage. I went for the coconut oil and Lee opted for orange. Although we were very tempted to try out either the chocolate or vanilla oil! Both of our massages were fantastic and we could have happily stayed there all day unwinding!

The service was truly genuine and the staff was lovely to offer candy, water and tea after our massage. We used our tea break to take a closer look (and sniff) at their hand made bath bombs! These little guys smelled incredible and I so wished I had a bathtub to take them home to!

The treatments at Blush Spa are specifically designed to offer a unique experience to each of its guests. It is truly a quality spa experience for a very reasonable price and we will certainly be back the next time we need to be pampered!

What to Do Nearby The Hammock Hotel

Although we could have happily hung out in one of the many hammocks or stayed in bed all day we decided to venture out and take advantage of being right in the middle of Saigon’s hustle and bustle! Like I said before, it would be a shame not to explore even a little bit, so here are a couple awesome things to do near The Hammock Hotel!

→ Wander Through the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum

Directly across the street from The Hammock Hotel is the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum. With its airy corridors and beautiful terraces, this 1929 colonial-era, yellow walled building is a fun little spot to wander through. With incredibly detailed tile-work throughout, it’s home to some beautiful stained glass, as well as one of Saigon's oldest lifts. There is also an impressive selection of art, much of which has been inspired by the Vietnam War, but there are also pieces dating back to the 4th century.

→ Drool Over Tomatito's Tapas

Tomatito’s classic Spanish bites we all know and love, make this spot an absolute must on any foodie’s list when in Saigon. We all know the importance of starting your weekend off on the right foot and that means eating to your best ability.

They say the way to someone's heart is through their stomach. And whoever “they” are, they’re right. Nothing beats a quality brunch or extraordinary night of tapas! So, grab your extra-large glass of sangria and sip away those Sunday scaries at Tomatito!

→ Bargain at Ben Thanh Market

It's next to impossible not to go to Ben Thanh Market when in Saigon. But, besides being one of the most famous local markets in Vietnam and a fundamental point of reference in the city, it’s an experience unlike any other! Not only is it a great place to try your bargaining skills, but the food is tasty and the fast paced market life is fun to experience.

→ Pig Out at King BBQ

With our staycation in full swing we decided to treat ourselves to a delicious Korean BBQ at King BBQ. It's often referred to as one of the most high-quality grilling restaurants in Saigon, so we just had to try it out for ourselves.They offer a wide selection of meats, seafood, vegetables and full access to a tasty salad bar, soup, and dessert buffet. Add in a bottle of Soju and you’re guaranteed to have a good night! We sure did.

→ Shop Vintage at Mayhem Saigon

Just getting to this hidden vintage shop is half the fun. Through an alley of nail salons and massage parlors and past a bunch of stacked motorbikes you’ll see a huge Mayhem sign pointing you up the stairs to the second story of an old apartment building! This place is definitely a hidden gem filled with an amazing collection of vintage denim including Levi’s 505 jeans and Levi’s shorts. Everything in this store is ‘on trend’ with retro tees, 90s dresses, vintage sunnies and some funky jewelry. So even if you’re not in the mood to spend it’s a cool spot to check out.

Photo by: @rannydu

→ Sip the Afternoon Away at Hoang Thi Cafe

Vietnamese coffee is one of the must-try drinks when visiting Vietnam, especially if you want to feel the heart and soul of the country. But, Vietnamese coffee will always taste better if you’re drinking it in a chic retro cafe. Hoang Thi Cafe is the perfect place to soak in all the Saigon vibes while slipping away at your cà phê đá.

Checking-Out of The Hammock Hotel Fine Arts Museum

With such a fabulous weekend behind us we were sad to say goodbye to The Hammock Hotel. I just cannot recommend this hotel enough. With their free 24-hour open pantry, incredible rooftop views, spacious air-conditioned rooms and of course the hammocks, The Hammock Hotel goes above and beyond. Everything is crisp, clean, fresh and the amenities help to make your stay more than perfect!

Being nested in Saigon’s lively and vibrant District 1 beside the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, makes The Hammock Hotel a must stay in Saigon. I mean, a trendy and chic accommodation in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City? Count me in! This fantastic boutique hotel is just a hop, skip and a jump from the iconic Ben Thanh Market, Bitexco Financial Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and some of the other major tourist and shopping attractions. It doesn't get much better than this!