Bucket List: Vietnam & my powerful Green Tea Scrub

Six Senses Con Dao

Next up on my bucket list of must-visit spa destinations is Vietnam. While there are many well-known spa resorts located around Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, I'm particularly interested in a little island called Con Dao. Never heard before? Yeah, me neither until I stumbled upon a travel magazine article that raves about its untouched beauty and lush tropical mangroves.

A short 45-minute flight away from Ho Chi Minh City, this "untouched archipelago" is said to be the best location in Vietnam for scuba diving, snorkeling and watching turtles nest around the island. In fact, Con Dao is a protected national and marine park. So it makes sense that only a hotel chain known for its outstanding sustainability efforts is granted to open a resort on this remote island: the Six Senses Resorts & Spas.

Winning numerous travel and spa awards every year, Six Senses obviously have created a concept that really works: offering luxury vacations while protecting and supporting native ecosystems.

The Spa, for example, only uses indigenous ingredients, plants and herbs in their treatments to support local traditions. On their spa menu I find a tightening and toning green tea scrub - I'm intrigued! So here's my adapted version of a powerful home spa treatment:

What you'll need:

- 1/2 cup of brown rice or salt (coarse)
- 1 tablespoon matcha powder
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
- 4 drops Ginger Essential Oil (optional - when using Essential Oils, please check with your doctor first if you are pregnant or suffer from any illnesses)

Start by crushing the brown rice or salt in a grinder / pestle and mortar until you have a fine consistency. Add the matcha powder and stir. Slowly add the almond oil, keep on stirring. For a powerful tightening effect, add some drops of Ginger Essential Oil to the scrub.

Enjoy this tightening and toning green tea scrub once per week. Let me know your feedback after you've tried it!