My name is Dương Bùi and I come from Nam Định province, about 90 km from Hanoi capital. Ten years ago, when I was 18 and preparing for university entrance exams, my vision started deteriorating rapidly. It turned out I had a tumor in my eye, and surgery was necessary to remove it. Since then, I have become blind.
When I in a Catholic village where music was a part of everyday life and villagers . often play one musical instrument to perform at the church. I grew up with the saxophone, my favorite instrument, and I chose it as my path in music. I pursued saxophone studies at the Hanoi College of Art, where passionate teachers helped me despite my visual impairment.
My most cherished memory is performing at the Hanoi Opera House in June 2019. It was my first time on such a grand stage, playing in front of a professional audience. However, making a living as a saxophonist, especially with my visual impairment, was challenging in Vietnam. After trying and failing many times to get a job as a musician, I turned to massage therapy, like many other visually impaired individuals in Vietnam, to ensure a stable income and support my life.
Duong Bui and other blind therapists practiced at Omamori Spa West Lake
Omamori Spa was the first place where I began my journey as a massage student. Surprisingly, the philosophy of Omamori Spa in training is that massage is an art. Therefore, all training programs designed by Omamori Spa aim to help us understand and transform our touch into a therapeutic and artistic form. It’s where my passion for music unexpectedly intersects with the career path I’ve chosen.
In early 2024, I took the next step by opening my own spa -Tara Spa in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. I proudly employ several blind graduates who also received training from Omamori Spa. My ultimate goal is for the spa to expand its reach and provide assistance to even more individuals in the community.
