Updated October 2026
Holiday gifts in Thao Dien, for people who live here: stuck on the office Secret Santa, a host gift or something for a friend? Shop the neighbourhood’s own compounds first — 0123 Complex for independent designer clothing, Saigon Concept for pottery and handicrafts, Oishi Town for beauty — then finish at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu for R Parfums niche perfume and its Discovery Set, or a 9base gift card for a 120-minute perfume session from $25.92, VAT included.
This is for people who live here — expats, long-stayers and the friends who host the holiday dinners. No airport shopping, no gifts to post overseas: just good presents for people you will see again in January.
Where do Thao Dien residents actually shop for gifts?
In small compounds, each with a cluster of shops. One loop gives you ideas for half your list.
- 0123 Complex, 06 Dang Huu Pho — a multi-storey house turned into independent designer clothing and lifestyle accessories, with a café on site (pinguide, October 2026). Best for a friend whose style you know well. Hours not confirmed; check its social page.
- Saigon Concept, 14 Tran Ngoc Dien — a French-style villa compound of 13 shops; in 2024 VnExpress listed cafés, ice cream, pottery and handicraft stores, galleries and clothing. Pottery makes an easy colleague gift.
- Oishi Town, alley 28 — about 20 shops and spots including fashion, cosmetics, spa and yoga (VnExpress, 2024). Good for self-care gifts.
An outing can be the gift, too: lunch at Miyama The Garden (4A Dang Huu Pho) or crêpes at Chidori Crepe (04 Dang Huu Pho) with someone who has had a long year. More neighbourhood picks are in Thao Dien hidden gems.
What works for an office Secret Santa?
Incense — nobody has to guess a skin scent. R Parfums incense comes in Hinoki (Japanese hinoki cypress), Matcha, Bamboo and Agarwood: 30 sticks a box, about 30 minutes each, with a handmade ceramic holder. It sits as well on a desk as in a living room. Incense is not sold in the showroom; order it online at r-parfums.com.
If your budget allows a wearable scent, NOTE – The Scent Lab sells its own Eau de Parfum line online with gift wrapping: Tale of Hinoki is cool and green, Not A Rose takes rose somewhere unexpected.
What should I bring to a holiday dinner party?
Something the host will use after the guests leave. A box of incense ordered online works; so does an R Parfums perfume with a story to tell as you hand it over. R Parfums is the niche house of perfumer Rei Nguyen: Eau de Hajime is Rei’s first perfume (“hajime” means “first”), Nostalgic March is pomelo blossom, sugarcane and tea. Several scents come in 12 ml as well as 50 ml. Browse the creations, or read our showroom guide before you go.
How do I pick perfume for a friend whose taste I don’t know?
Don’t pick — let them. New to the category yourself? Our niche vs designer primer helps. The R Parfums Discovery Set holds five 2 ml vials (Pluviophile, 221B, Béton Chaud, Nostalgic March, Eau de Hajime). Or give a 9base gift card so they make their own: valid six months from sending, they choose the day, any of the three studios and the scent direction; you choose the bottle size and write the message. Design a 9base gift card, or see personalised perfume gifts in Saigon.
“Very fun experience, reasonable pricing. Very helpful staff that guide you and teach”
— Climber21269136160, review platform
“Creating your own signature perfume is just such a nice and unique experience. … I would recommend this to everyone who loves perfumes or needs a gift for a loved one”
— Rhea L, review platform
“Finally understood how notes works. Came with our best friends for our 20th wedding anniversary”
— Aleck Hann, review platform
A gift card is priced by the bottle the recipient takes home: $25.92 for 10 ml, $47.52 for 20 ml, $58.32 for 30 ml, $69.12 for 50 ml, VAT included. Their formula stays on file, so the next bottle is a refill at 20% off — a gift that keeps working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Secret Santa gift under a small budget in Thao Dien?
A box of R Parfums incense (ordered online) or a small piece of pottery from Saigon Concept. Set the budget first; R Parfums and NOTE list current prices on their own shops.
Can a group of colleagues use gift cards for the same session?
Yes, up to 15 seats per session in Thao Dien; for a bigger team, contact the studio before booking.
Is the perfume session taught in English?
Yes — English or Vietnamese, with an instructor beside you for the full 120 minutes.
Where can I smell R Parfums before buying?
At the R Parfums showroom, 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien.
How long does the recipient have to use a 9base gift card?
Six months from the day it is sent; they choose the date, studio and scent.
Happy gifting, neighbour. If you would rather give the experience than the bottle, the Thao Dien studio shows the room and open sessions.
