Updated October 2026
Christmas in Thao Dien is the expat version of a Saigon Christmas: garden lunches, community markets in some years, and gifts with a story rather than a mall bag. If you want one unhurried activity, 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu is home to the R Parfums niche perfume showroom and a 9base studio where NOTE – The Scent Lab runs 120-minute custom perfume sessions — $25.92 for a 10 ml bottle, VAT included, booked on the9base.com.
This guide is for people spending the holidays in Ho Chi Minh City away from home — District 2 residents, families flying in to visit, couples who would rather not spend Christmas Eve in a downtown crowd. It is about one good day in one neighbourhood, not every event in the city.
How does Thao Dien celebrate Christmas?
Quietly and locally. There is no giant public light show; restaurants run festive menus, cafés decorate, and the international community organises its own gatherings. Come for a long lunch, gift shopping and a slow afternoon, then decide whether to head downtown for the lights.
Thao Dien sits on the riverside east of District 1 and was ranked 16th of 38 in Time Out’s “coolest neighbourhoods in the world” (October 2024, as reported by VnExpress International). Many of the city’s foreign residents live here, which is why Christmas looks familiar if you grew up with it.
Will there be a Christmas market in Thao Dien in 2026?
Nothing had been announced as of mid-October 2026. In past years there were markets at L’Usine Thao Dien (2020) and Soma Saigon (2022). Dates usually appear in early December, so follow the social pages of venues you like rather than relying on an old listing.
Where should I book a Christmas lunch?
Pick a garden and book ahead. Dang Huu Pho Street gained two garden-villa cafés in 2026: Miyama The Garden at 4A, a modern Tokyo-style restaurant-café, and the second Chidori Crepe at 04, serving thin, crisp Japanese crêpes (the brand lists 8:30–20:30 on weekdays and 8:00–21:00 at weekends). Check holiday hours on their pages.
For more regular favourites, see our cafés near Thao Dien and Thao Dien hidden gems.
Which gifts in Thao Dien are worth giving?
Gifts made or curated in the neighbourhood. Start with its small fashion and design compounds, then finish at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu for scent — R Parfums perfume or its Discovery Set, or a 9base gift card so someone can blend their own.
- 0123 Complex, 06 Dang Huu Pho — a multi-storey house converted into independent designer clothing and lifestyle accessories, with a café inside. Good for a friend whose style you know.
- Saigon Concept, 14 Tran Ngoc Dien — a French-style villa compound; in 2024 VnExpress listed cafés, ice cream, pottery and handicraft shops, galleries and clothing among its 13 shops.
- R Parfums — the niche house of perfumer Rei Nguyen. The creations include Eau de Hajime (Rei’s first perfume; “hajime” means “first”) and Béton Chaud (childhood summers, concrete pipes, kites); a Discovery Set holds five 2 ml vials. More in our showroom guide.
- Incense, ordered online — R Parfums incense (Hinoki, Matcha, Bamboo, Agarwood; 30 sticks a box with a handmade ceramic holder) is not sold in the showroom; order it on r-parfums.com. An easy host gift for Christmas dinner.
For an everyday perfume, NOTE – The Scent Lab sells its own Eau de Parfum line through NOTE’s online shop.
Can I make a perfume as a Christmas gift?
Yes — make it for yourself, for someone else, or give them the session. You sit at a long blending desk, explore three of nine scent families with an instructor (in English or Vietnamese), and build a formula from 30+ raw materials. The bottle is sealed and serial-numbered; your formula is kept on file, refills 20% off. The Thao Dien studio opens 08:00–18:00 daily, up to 15 seats per session.
“Making perfume in a space with fresh flowers on a rainy afternoon is romantic”
— Celine, review platform
“This was such a fun and educational experience. …”
— Laura, review platform
“Great experience for something special. Learnt so much about perfumery”
— LdC3333, review platform
Rated 4.9 from 2,300+ reviews. Bottle sizes run from $25.92 (10 ml) through $47.52 and $58.32 to $69.12 (50 ml), VAT included; cancel 48 hours ahead for an 80% refund. Book a Christmas-week session, or design a 9base gift card for a perfume session in Saigon — valid six months, the recipient picks the day, studio and scent.
What does a good Christmas Eve in Thao Dien look like?
Creative in daylight, festive after dark — the studio closes at 18:00.
- Late morning: coffee on Do Quang Street.
- Lunch: a garden table on Dang Huu Pho; browse 0123 Complex next.
- Early afternoon: your perfume session at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu.
- Late afternoon: pick up a last gift at the R Parfums showroom.
- Evening: Christmas Eve dinner with friends — wearing the scent you made.
Celebrating as a couple? See couples perfume sessions in Saigon. Coming by train, the Thao Dien metro guide has the walk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Christmas market in Thao Dien in 2026?
None had been announced as of mid-October 2026. Past markets were held at L’Usine Thao Dien and Soma Saigon; check venue pages in early December.
Is the perfume session taught in English?
Yes. Sessions run in English or Vietnamese, with an instructor beside you throughout.
Can children join a session over the holidays?
Ask the studio before booking; each seat is one person and one bottle.
How long is a 9base gift card valid?
Six months from sending. The recipient chooses the date, the studio and the scent.
Can NOTE ship perfume abroad for me?
No — NOTE does not ship internationally.
What is 0123 Complex?
A converted multi-storey house at 06 Dang Huu Pho with independent designer clothing, lifestyle accessories and a café.
Merry Christmas from across the river — if you want to see the room before you book, here is the Thao Dien studio.
