03/06/2026
A Chance Meeting by Xuan Huong Lake
One morning in Da Lat, I was enjoying a cup of coffee at a park beside Xuan Huong Lake. The weather was cool and peaceful, and the city was slowly waking up. I didn’t have any appointments that morning, so I simply sat there, enjoying the view.
At a nearby table, I noticed two foreign women having coffee. After watching for a while, I saw them repeatedly rubbing their shoulders and gently turning their necks as if they were uncomfortable.
As a massage therapist, I couldn’t help but notice these small signs. My first thought was that they had probably been carrying backpacks, walking a lot, or perhaps had been affected by Da Lat’s cold weather.
I opened Google Translate on my phone, planning to ask if they were experiencing shoulder pain. Before I could even finish typing, one of them smiled and asked:
“Are you a massage therapist? I saw you using Google Translate and looking over here.”
We both laughed, and that simple question became the beginning of a conversation.
The two women explained that they had arrived in Da Lat only the day before. Excited by the city’s beauty, they spent the entire day exploring waterfalls, sightseeing, and enjoying local cafés late into the evening.
The next morning, they woke up with sore shoulders and stiff necks. Turning their heads felt uncomfortable, and their bodies felt unusually tired.
After listening to their story, I said:
“It sounds like a combination of muscle fatigue and the cold weather. Your shoulder muscles may be tight from all the walking and activities. If you have some free time, I might be able to help reduce the discomfort.”
They looked curious.
“How would you do that?” one of them asked.
I explained:
“First, I would check whether the shoulder muscles are tight and restricted. If there are signs of cold exposure affecting the body, I would begin with massage techniques to relax the muscles. Depending on the condition, I could also use traditional methods such as gua sha scraping or cupping therapy to help improve circulation and relieve tension.”
After hearing my explanation, they agreed.
Then one of them asked:
“Where would we do that?”
I smiled and replied:
“If you’re comfortable with it, I can come to your accommodation. I keep my equipment in my motorbike, including massage oil, gua sha tools, and cupping sets.”
A little later, we headed back to their room.
After the session, both women looked noticeably more relaxed. Their shoulders felt lighter, their neck movement improved, and they seemed much more comfortable.
Before I left, one of them said something that stayed with me:
“Honestly, if we had only seen your service online, we probably wouldn’t have booked. When you’re traveling in a foreign country, it’s hard to know who to trust.”
She continued:
“But meeting you in person made all the difference. You were friendly, easy to talk to, and genuine. That gave us confidence. During the treatment, you were professional and caring, and now we feel so much better.”
Then she smiled and added:
“If we ever come back to Da Lat, we’ll definitely call you again.”
Moments like these remind me why I love my work.
Massage therapy is not only about relieving pain and tension. Sometimes it’s about human connection, trust, and unexpected encounters between strangers from different parts of the world.
Da Lat is famous for its flowers, pine forests, and misty mornings. But for me, some of the most beautiful memories are the unexpected conversations and meaningful connections that happen along the way.