Ho Chi Minh City is vibrant, colorful, and full of things to do—but if you’re seeking something unique, creative, and a little different from the usual sightseeing, a perfume making workshop might be the perfect choice. NOTE – The Scent Lab is not only a shopping destination for fragrance, but also a creative hub where travelers can dive into the world of scent through DIY perfume making workshops.
With two branches in Saigon, one in the peaceful neighborhood of An Khanh Ward (formerly known as Thao Dien) and another at the iconic Cafe Apartment on Nguyen Hue Walking Street, NOTE – The Scent Lab offers tourists an experience that blends creativity, relaxation, and cultural discovery.
NOTE – The Scent Lab is proud to have received the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025. This recognition reflects the consistently positive perfume making workshop experiences shared by our visitors, making NOTE – The Scent Lab not just a workshop, but a trusted destination for both travelers and locals seeking something special in Ho Chi Minh City.
Find NOTE – The Scent Lab on TripAdvisor here.
Why choose a perfume making workshop in Ho Chi Minh City?
When traveling, people often search for activities that go beyond the typical tourist checklist. Visiting museums, eating local food, or shopping are all wonderful, but creating something with your own hands brings home a more meaningful kind of souvenir.
A perfume making workshop in Ho Chi Minh City lets you explore a collection of up to 30 carefully selected fragrance notes, from floral and fresh to enchanting ambery and woody notes. Guided by instructors, you’ll learn the basics of perfume creation—top, middle, and base notes—and then craft a scent that reflects your personality or your journey. Perfume workshops at NOTE – The Scent Lab are beginner-friendly and designed to be fun, interactive, and highly memorable.
The experience is perfect whether you’re a solo traveler seeking self-care, a couple looking for a romantic activity, or a group of friends wanting to bring home a shared memory.
An Khanh (Thao Dien) location - peaceful & relaxing
NOTE – The Scent Lab in R Space (An Khanh Ward, previously known as Thao Dien) offers a completely different vibe. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Saigon, consider choosing this showroom for your perfume making workshop. Commonly known as Thao Dien, this neighborhood is a trendy, green place with an international feel–quiet streets, chic cafes, and boutique shops.
NOTE’s showroom here is more spacious and serene, making it ideal for longer, slower perfume making workshop experiences. Here, you’ll have more room to experiment with fragrance notes and really dive deep into the art of scent-making. It’s less crowded, so the pace is calmer, and the experience feels more personal.
Visitors often prefer this location when they want to relax and spend an afternoon immersed in fragrance. This location is perfect for:
- Families looking for a meaningful weekend activity where everyone can create something together.
- Couples who want a slower-paced, romantic workshop away from the downtown crowds.
- Friend groups seeking a cozy spot to relax, laugh, and bond while experimenting with scents.
- Travelers who want to experience the calmer, lifestyle-focused side of Ho Chi Minh City beyond the bustling center.
For tourists staying a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, a visit to Thao Dien provides a glimpse of a different side of the city—not just the busy center, but also its more laid-back, lifestyle-oriented neighborhoods.
Nguyen Hue location - inside The Cafe Apartment
If it is your first time in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Hue Walking Street is a must-see. This pedestrian street in the heart of downtown Saigon is always buzzing with life: street performers, travelers, and endless people-watching. Right here, you’ll find NOTE – The Scent Lab’s workshops inside the iconic Cafe Apartment, one of the city’s most vibrant buildings.
The Cafe Apartment is a converted old apartment block that now houses cafes, boutique shops and creative studios. Ever since its construction in the mid-1960s, the building has blossomed into a cultural phenomenon in Saigon and has become tourists’ favorite destination. NOTE’s workshop space fits perfectly into this cultural hub.
After exploring Nguyen Hue Walking Street, you can step into NOTE – The Scent Lab for a perfume making workshop and find yourself in a more focused, relaxed space. With the buzz of the street outside and the calm, aromatic atmosphere inside, it is a perfect occasion to create your own scent while feeling the rhythm of the city.
This location is perfect for:
- Travelers who want to blend the perfume-making experience with local activities.
- Couples looking for a romantic and bonding stop after exploring Nguyen Hue.
- Friend groups who enjoy vibrant, exciting hangouts while trying something unique.
- Solo travelers seeking a creative, self-care experience in the heart of the city.
Also, this location is especially ideal for tourists who want to combine sightseeing with an immersive perfume making workshop. You can take your perfume creation with you as a personalized souvenir, something that reminds you of the unique experience in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
Here, the experience is as much about the city’s atmosphere as it is about the perfume you create.
Step into the world of scent creation - perfume making workshop
Whether you choose NOTE Nguyen Hue or NOTE Thao Dien, the perfume workshop follows a similar flow:
- Discover the notes: Start with an introduction to fragrance basics. Explore top, middle, and base notes through NOTE’s carefully curated scent library.
- Create your blend: With guidance from an instructor, experiment and combine your chosen notes to design a perfume that reflects your mood, memory, or personality.
- Make it yours: Bring your creation to life by bottling and giving it a name that reflects your unique touch.
The entire experience takes about two hours—perfect to fit into a day of exploring the city.
Learn more about the perfume making workshop:
Create Your Own Signature Scent: DIY Perfume Workshop for Travelers in Vietnam
Perfume as a Postcard: How perfume workshop helps you remember your trip to Vietnam
Plan your visit
Thao Dien Location: If you prefer a calmer journey, Thao Dien is accessible both by car and by the Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien). Hop off at Thao Dien Station, then take a 10-minute walk or Grab ride to NOTE – The Scent Lab. It’s a simple, traffic-free option that makes planning your visit much easier. The neighborhood is walkable, with plenty of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants nearby, making it ideal for combining the perfume making workshop with a half-day of exploration.
Nguyen Hue Location: Located inside The Cafe Apartment, easily reached by foot if you’re staying in District 1, or just a short taxi/Grab ride away from major hotels. If you’re taking the Metro Line 1, hop off at Opera House Station and enjoy a short walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street to reach the Cafe Apartment. Be prepared for some crowds, especially on weekends and evenings, but that’s part of the charm. With the iconic The Cafe Apartment and a mix of nearby boutiques, eateries, and coffee shops, it’s perfect for pairing your perfume making workshop with a city discovery.
Beyond perfume making workshop: Products at NOTE
Beyond our perfume making workshops, NOTE – The Scent Lab also offers a boutique space for fragrance lovers. Here, you’ll discover:
- Perfumes from NOTE’s in-house line, NOTE and R Parfums
- Space-scented and aromatherapy products
- Fragrance accessories and lifestyle products that make great gifts.
For tourists, this means you can both create your own scent and bring home ready-made products that represent local creativity and craftsmanship.
So whether you’re strolling along Nguyen Hue and stepping into the lively cafe apartment, or you’re unwinding in the calm streets of Thao Dien, a perfume making workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab is the perfect stop for travelers seeking something different. Be it a weekend getaway or a week-long stay, it’s an experience you’ll carry home long after the scent has faded.
