R Space Thao Dien: Perfume Workshop, Showroom & Cafe in One Villa

R Space at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu is Thao Dien’s most distinctive creative destination — a converted villa that brings together a hands-on perfume workshop, an artisan fragrance showroom, a courtyard café, and a curated art space under one roof. If you’re looking for something in District 2 that goes beyond brunch spots and co-working cafés, this is it.

Thao Dien has evolved. What was once a quiet residential neighborhood popular with expat families has become one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most interesting creative districts — home to independent designers, specialty roasters, art galleries, and boutique wellness studios. R Space fits naturally into this ecosystem. It’s not a mall attraction or a tourist-bus stop. It’s a neighborhood venue that happens to offer one of Saigon’s most talked-about experiences.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what’s inside, what to do, how to get there, and how to make the most of your visit in 2026.

What Is R Space?

R Space is a multi-concept creative venue in the heart of Thao Dien. It occupies a renovated villa surrounded by tropical greenery — the kind of building that makes you pause on the sidewalk and think, “What is this place?”

Inside, you’ll find four distinct experiences:

1. NOTE – The Scent Lab Perfume Workshop — a 90-minute hands-on experience creating your own custom fragrance
2. R Parfums Showroom — artisan perfumes crafted with Vietnamese ingredients
3. R Flower & Café — specialty coffee, fresh flower arrangements, courtyard garden
4. Creative exhibitions and pop-ups — rotating art installations and local designer showcases

What makes R Space work is that these elements aren’t just co-located — they’re connected. The café sets the mood. The workshop teaches you about fragrance. The showroom lets you experience the finished art form. The exhibitions add cultural texture. Together, they create an afternoon that builds on itself rather than scattering your attention.

The Perfume Workshop: R Space’s Signature Experience

The perfume workshop is what puts R Space on the map. Operated by NOTE – The Scent Lab — Saigon’s original and highest-rated perfume workshop studio — it’s a 90-minute guided experience where you create a custom fragrance from scratch.

Here’s the structure:

Stage 1: Scent Education (15 minutes)

Your scent artist introduces the three layers of perfumery: top notes (citrus, herbs — the first impression), heart notes (florals, spices — the character), and base notes (woods, resins, musks — the lasting memory). You smell individual ingredients and begin discovering your preferences. Most people are surprised by what attracts them — the person who “only likes fresh scents” often gravitates toward smoky oud or earthy patchouli.

Stage 2: Concept Design (15 minutes)

What do you want your perfume to feel like? A Saigon evening? A morning in the Vietnamese highlands? The memory of someone? Your scent artist translates abstract feelings into a concrete fragrance direction. This is the part that makes each workshop result genuinely unique.

Stage 3: Blending (30 minutes)

Using professional-grade ingredients — essential oils and aromatic compounds, the same materials used by the global fragrance industry — you build your perfume drop by drop. Your scent artist guides proportions and suggests combinations, but every decision is yours. The room goes quiet during blending. People focus, lean in, lose themselves in the process.

Stage 4: Naming & Bottling (30 minutes)

You name your creation, write the label by hand, and watch it sealed and packaged. Your formula is saved permanently — meaning you can reorder anytime, from anywhere in the world, even years later.

“Vy took us through different layers of perfume and assisted throughout.”

The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. No fragrance knowledge required. Book online at workshop.thescentnote.com/book.

Book a Perfume Workshop →

R Parfums Showroom: Artisan Vietnamese Fragrance

R Parfums is an artisan fragrance house that creates finished, ready-to-wear perfumes using Vietnamese ingredients — many of the same materials you encounter in the workshop.

The showroom is the opposite of a department store fragrance counter. No fluorescent lights, no sales pressure, no wall of 300 indistinguishable bottles. Instead, you’ll find a curated collection organized by scent profile and ingredient story, displayed in an intimate, gallery-like space.

What makes R Parfums distinctive:

• Vietnamese terroir: Ingredients sourced from Vietnam — lotus, agarwood (oud), cinnamon from northern forests, vetiver from the Central Highlands
• Small-batch production: Each fragrance is crafted in limited quantities, not mass-manufactured
• Ingredient transparency: The brand shares what’s in each composition and where the materials come from
• Scent journey format: Staff guide you through the collection at your own pace, explaining the stories behind each creation

If you’ve just completed the workshop, visiting the showroom afterward adds a new dimension. You’ve spent 90 minutes learning about raw materials, so you’ll smell the finished perfumes with educated appreciation — recognizing ingredients, understanding how they’re composed, noticing nuances you would have missed before.

Browse the collection at r-parfums.com.

R Flower & Café: The Creative Courtyard

R Flower & Café is the social heart of R Space. It occupies the ground floor and courtyard of the villa — a green, light-filled space where tropical plants and seasonal flower arrangements create an atmosphere that’s equal parts coffee shop and botanical garden.

What to Expect

• Specialty coffee: Vietnamese drip coffee, espresso drinks, and specialty single-origin options
• Fresh juices and teas: Tropical fruit combinations and herbal infusions
• Light food: Pastries and light bites suited for an afternoon visit
• Flower arrangements: The café doubles as a florist — you can browse and purchase seasonal bouquets
• Courtyard seating: Outdoor garden area shaded by trees, perfect for Saigon’s warm climate

The café works on multiple levels. It’s a standalone destination for coffee and flowers. It’s the perfect warm-up before a workshop. And it’s a natural decompression space afterward — somewhere to sit with your newly created perfume, sip a coffee, and let the experience settle in.

Getting to R Space

Address

34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

By Metro (Recommended in 2026)

Ho Chi Minh City’s new Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) has made Thao Dien easily accessible from central Saigon:

1. Board at Ben Thanh Station (District 1)
2. Exit at Thao Dien Station — approximately 15 minutes
3. Walk south through the neighborhood — about 10-12 minutes on foot
4. Look for the white villa with green courtyard on Nguyen Duy Hieu street

The walk from the station is pleasant — tree-lined streets, boutique shops, and independent cafés along the way. It’s the kind of neighborhood where the journey is part of the experience.

By Taxi or Grab

From District 1: 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. Address for your driver: “34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien.” Grab (Vietnam’s dominant ride-hailing app) works reliably throughout the area.

By Motorbike

Cross the Saigon Bridge or Thu Thiem Bridge, follow Xa Lo Ha Noi into Thao Dien. Motorbike parking is available in the area.

What Else to Do in Thao Dien

R Space is a great anchor for exploring Thao Dien, but the neighborhood has much more to offer. Here’s a curated guide to complement your visit:

Coffee and Food

• The Deck Saigon — iconic riverside restaurant with panoramic views of the Saigon skyline. Best at sunset.
• The Deck Saigon — contemporary Vietnamese fine dining in a sleek, modern setting
• Saigon Outcast — art space, climbing wall, and craft beer garden
• An Phu Market — local wet market, great for street food and cultural immersion

Shopping and Culture

• Thao Dien boutiques — independent fashion, jewelry, and homeware shops line Thao Dien and Xuan Thuy streets
• Saigon Outcast — art space, climbing wall, and event venue
• Local galleries — rotating exhibitions in the neighborhood’s converted villas

Wellness

• Yoga and pilates studios — several international-quality studios within walking distance
• Spa experiences — independent spas offering Vietnamese-style treatments

Sample Itinerary: A Creative Day in Thao Dien

Practical Information

Opening Hours

R Space (café and showroom) is open daily. Workshop sessions are available by advance booking — check workshop.thescentnote.com/book for available time slots.

Workshop Pricing

All materials included — essential oils, aromatic compounds, bottles, packaging, and your scent artist’s guidance. No hidden fees. Check current pricing here.

Language

Workshops are conducted in English and Vietnamese. The scent artists are fluent in English and experienced with international visitors.

Accessibility

The venue is ground-floor accessible. The courtyard café and showroom are step-free. Contact the venue in advance if you have specific accessibility needs.

Group Bookings

R Space accommodates groups for workshops, corporate events, and private celebrations. Contact NOTE – The Scent Lab for group packages and custom experiences.

What to Wear

Casual and comfortable. Thao Dien is a relaxed neighborhood. Avoid wearing strong perfume before the workshop so your nose is fresh for the experience.

Follow us: @note.workshop on Instagram · TripAdvisor

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is R Space Thao Dien?

R Space is a multi-concept creative venue at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien. It houses the NOTE perfume workshop, R Parfums artisan fragrance showroom, R Flower & Cafe, and rotating creative exhibitions — all in a converted villa with a tropical courtyard.

How do I get to R Space Thao Dien?

Take Metro Line 1 to Thao Dien Station (15 min from Ben Thanh), then walk 10-12 minutes. Or take a Grab/taxi from District 1 (15-30 min depending on traffic). Address: 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc City.

Do I need to book the perfume workshop in advance?

Yes, booking is recommended to guarantee your time slot and scent artist. Book at workshop.thescentnote.com/book. The cafe and showroom are open for walk-in visitors.

What can I do at R Space without booking a workshop?

Visit R Flower & Cafe for specialty coffee in the courtyard garden, browse the R Parfums showroom to discover artisan Vietnamese fragrances, and explore any current creative exhibitions. No booking needed.

Is R Space good for couples?

Very much so. Many couples visit for the perfume workshop — creating fragrances for each other is one of the most popular formats. The courtyard cafe is romantic without being formal, and the neighborhood offers excellent dinner options nearby.

Can R Space host private events or corporate groups?

Yes. R Space accommodates group workshops, team-building events, and private celebrations. Contact NOTE – The Scent Lab for custom group packages.

Is R Space the same as NOTE – The Scent Lab?

R Space is the venue name. The perfume workshop inside is operated by NOTE – The Scent Lab, which also has locations at the Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyen Hue, District 1) and Lotte Mall Hanoi. The R Parfums showroom and R Flower & Cafe are separate businesses that share the R Space venue.