NOTE – The Scent Lab partners with tour operators, travel agencies, and event planners across Vietnam to deliver perfume making workshops for groups of all sizes — from intimate private sessions to events for 50+ guests. NOTE – The Scent Lab is a perfume making workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, rated 4.9 stars by over 500 travelers on TripAdvisor. If you’re a tour guide partnership Vietnam coordinator, DMC, hotel concierge, or wedding planner looking for a unique group experience, this page explains exactly how the partnership works — logistics, commission, value proposition, and sample itineraries.
The workshop is already a recommended stop on dozens of tour itineraries in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. It fits into a 90-minute window between other activities, requires zero setup from your side, and consistently earns the highest satisfaction ratings of any activity on the tour. Your guests create a custom perfume, learn a new skill, and leave with a carry-on-friendly souvenir they’ll actually use — not a trinket that ends up in a drawer.
The jasmine absolute we use comes from the same vendor who sells garlands at the corner of Le Loi. We smell it before we see her cart every morning.
The Value Proposition: Why Your Guests Will Love This
Tour operators and event planners face the same challenge: finding activities that satisfy diverse groups, fit tight schedules, and generate genuinely positive feedback. The perfume workshop solves all three problems at once.
For your guests
- Hands-on and personal: Every guest creates their own fragrance — not a shared experience where some participate and others watch
- No experience needed: A professional workshop instructor guides each person through the process, from ingredient selection to final blend
- Meaningful souvenir: A custom perfume labeled with their chosen name, formula saved for future reorders. Under 100ml — carry-on safe
- Weather-proof: Indoor, air-conditioned studios. No rain cancellations, no heat complaints
- Works for everyone: Age, nationality, fitness level, and language don’t matter. The sensory, hands-on format transcends barriers
For you as the operator
- Predictable timing: 90 minutes, every session. Your bus schedule and itinerary stay intact
- Zero setup required: All materials, workshop instructors, packaging, and cleanup are handled by NOTE. Your guests arrive and leave — that’s it
- High satisfaction scores: 4.9 stars from 500+ reviews means your guests will rate the overall tour more highly
- Commission program: Partnership rates for guides and operators who bring regular groups
- Flexible scheduling: Morning, afternoon, or late afternoon sessions. Multiple time slots available daily
- Scalable: 2 to 50+ guests per session. Multiple simultaneous sessions for very large groups
“We loved it! The teacher was very helpful and accommodating. Definitely worth it!.”
Partnership Benefits at a Glance
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Commission structure | Competitive per-guest commission for regular partners. Tiered rates based on volume. |
| Priority booking | Partners get priority access to time slots, including peak hours and weekends |
| Dedicated contact | A direct WhatsApp/email line for group bookings — responses within 2-4 hours on business days |
| Flexible payment | Per-group invoicing, monthly settlement for regular partners, or per-session payment |
| Custom branding | Add your tour company logo or event name to bottle labels (for partners with 20+ guests/month) |
| Marketing support | High-resolution photos and descriptions for your brochure, website, or booking platform |
| Cancellation flexibility | Free rescheduling with 48-hour notice. No-show fees waived for established partners. |
| Guide perks | Guides are welcome to join the session, wait in the cafe area, or receive a complimentary drink |
Start a Partnership — Contact Us →
How the Partnership Process Works
Step 1: Initial Contact
Reach out via the booking form, WhatsApp, or email. Tell us your company name, typical group size, frequency of visits, and preferred location (Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi). We respond within one business day.
Step 2: Partnership Agreement
We’ll set up your commission structure, preferred payment terms, and booking protocols. For established tour operators and agencies, we offer a simple partnership agreement that covers all the logistics — no lengthy contracts or minimum commitments required to get started.
Step 3: First Booking
Book your first group session. We recommend a test run with a smaller group so you can experience the workshop firsthand and understand the guest flow. Many partners join the first session themselves to see how it works.
Step 4: Ongoing Operations
Once the partnership is established, booking becomes routine: message your dedicated contact with the date, time, group size, and any special requests. Confirmation comes within hours. Your guests arrive, create, and leave happy. Invoicing is handled on your preferred schedule.
Who We Work With

Our partnership program is designed for a range of professionals in the travel and events industry:
- Tour guides (freelance and company): Add a creative, high-satisfaction stop to your Saigon or Hanoi itinerary. Commission on every guest you bring.
- Destination Management Companies (DMCs): Include the workshop in packaged tours for international groups. We handle all on-site logistics.
- Travel agencies (online and offline): List the workshop as an add-on or included experience in your Vietnam packages.
- Hotel concierges: Recommend to guests looking for unique activities. Commission structure available for regular referrals.
- Corporate event planners: Team building workshops with custom branding, team challenges, and professional photography.
- Wedding and event planners: Guest entertainment at receptions, custom perfume favors for attendees, bachelorette and bachelor party activities.
- Student group coordinators: Educational, hands-on STEM-meets-art experience for school and university groups.
- Cruise ship excursion planners: Shore excursion partnerships for cruise groups visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Tight 90-minute timing ideal for port stops.
Our Three Locations
| Location | Address | Max Capacity | Best For | Parking/Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thảo Điền Flagship | 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, Thảo Điền, Ho Chi Minh City | 50+ | Large groups, private sessions, corporate events | Street parking for buses, easy drop-off |
| Cafe Apartment, District 1 | 42 Nguyễn Huệ, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City | 20 | Walking tours, city center groups, small groups | Walking distance from most D1 hotels. Bus drop-off on Lê Lợi or Hàm Nghi |
| Lotte Mall Hanoi | Lotte Mall Westlake, Tây Hồ, Hanoi | 30 | Hanoi tours, mall itineraries, cruise excursions | Mall parking available, elevator access |
Sample Itinerary Inserts
Here’s how the workshop fits into common tour formats. Feel free to adapt these for your own itineraries.
Saigon Full-Day City Tour — with Workshop
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Hotel pickup | District 1 |
| 8:30 AM | War Remnants Museum | District 3 |
| 10:00 AM | Independence Palace | District 1 |
| 11:00 AM | Perfume workshop at NOTE (Cafe Apartment) | 42 Nguyễn Huệ, D1 |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch | District 1 |
| 2:00 PM | Ben Thanh Market / Afternoon sightseeing | District 1 |
| 4:30 PM | Return to hotel | — |
Saigon Half-Day Culture & Craft Tour
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 PM | Hotel pickup | District 1/2 |
| 2:00 PM | Perfume workshop at NOTE (Thảo Điền) | 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu |
| 3:30 PM | Walk Thảo Điền — cafes, boutiques, street art | Thảo Điền |
| 4:30 PM | Artisan coffee tasting | Thảo Điền |
| 5:30 PM | Return to hotel or continue to dinner | — |
Hanoi Day Tour — with Workshop
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Hotel pickup | Old Quarter |
| 8:30 AM | Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum + One Pillar Pagoda | Ba Đình |
| 10:30 AM | Temple of Literature | Đống Đa |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | Old Quarter |
| 2:00 PM | Perfume workshop at NOTE (Lotte Mall) | Lotte Mall, Tây Hồ |
| 3:30 PM | West Lake area exploration | Tây Hồ |
| 5:00 PM | Return to hotel | — |
What Your Guests Will Say

“Our instructor Suzee was super knowledgeable and very energetic.”
“This perfume making class was so much fun! Yen (Chloe) was a great teacher who was very friendly.”
Read 500+ reviews from travelers →
Group Logistics at a Glance
| Workshop duration | 90 minutes (all-inclusive: materials, workshop instructor, packaging) |
| Group size | 2 to 50+ guests. Private sessions for all partner bookings. |
| Languages | English and Vietnamese. Hands-on format works across all languages. |
| Advance notice | 3-5 days for groups under 15; 1-2 weeks for larger groups |
| Pricing | Partner group rates — contact us for a quote |
| Commission | Per-guest commission for regular partners. Volume-tiered rates. |
| Guide accommodations | Guides can join the session, wait in the cafe area, or receive a complimentary drink |
| Accessibility | Elevator access at all locations. Seated workshop. Wheelchair-accessible. |
| Souvenir size | Under 100ml — carry-on friendly for international flights |
Success Stories: How Partners Have Used the Workshop
The Walking Tour Operator Who Doubled Their Ratings
A District 1 walking tour operator added the perfume workshop as an optional 90-minute add-on to their half-day culture tour. Before the addition, their average tour rating was 4.6 stars. After including the workshop as a stop between the War Remnants Museum and lunch, their average rose to 4.8 stars. More importantly, the length and detail of guest reviews increased — guests who did the workshop wrote longer, more enthusiastic reviews that mentioned both the tour company and NOTE. The operator now includes the workshop on every tour and credits it as the single change that most improved their online reputation.
The Corporate Retreat That Actually Worked
A multinational tech company organized a 3-day retreat in Ho Chi Minh City for their Asia-Pacific team — 35 people from 8 countries. The HR lead was looking for a team-building activity that wasn’t “another escape room or trust fall exercise.” The perfume workshop was scheduled for the afternoon of Day 2. The result: it was the only session where all 35 participants were fully engaged without checking phones. Colleagues who’d never spoken beyond Slack discovered shared interests through scent preferences. The company’s post-retreat survey showed the workshop scored highest of all activities — above the cooking class, above the river cruise, above the welcome dinner. They’ve now booked it for their next three retreats.
The Cruise Shore Excursion That Solved a Timing Problem
A cruise line operating out of Ho Chi Minh City port needed shore excursion activities that fit a strict timeline — guests had exactly 6 hours from disembarkation to return. The perfume workshop at the Cafe Apartment location solved a recurring problem: what to do during the mid-day slot (11 AM-1 PM) when it’s too hot for outdoor walking and too early for lunch. The 90-minute indoor session filled the gap perfectly, gave guests an air-conditioned respite, and produced a souvenir they could carry straight back to the ship. The cruise line now offers it as a standard shore excursion option.
Additional FAQs for Partners
Can the workshop be conducted at our venue instead of NOTE’s locations?
For events with 20+ guests, off-site sessions can be arranged. NOTE brings all materials, workshop instructors, and equipment to your venue — hotel ballroom, resort garden, conference center, or private dining room. Setup takes about 30 minutes. The only requirement is a clean, well-ventilated indoor space with tables and seating. Contact the team to discuss your specific venue logistics.
What languages are the sessions conducted in?
English and Vietnamese are standard. The hands-on, sensory format naturally bridges language barriers — guests follow visual demonstrations and physical materials regardless of their native language. For groups that speak neither English nor Vietnamese, the workshop still works well because the core activity (smelling, choosing, blending) is non-verbal. Scent artists use visual aids, gestures, and the ingredients themselves to communicate. Groups from Japan, Korea, China, France, and Germany have all completed the workshop successfully without interpreters.
Why Partners Keep Coming Back
The real test of a partnership isn’t the first booking — it’s whether you come back. Our partner retention rate is high because the workshop consistently delivers three things that matter to tour professionals:
- Guest satisfaction: The 4.9-star rating isn’t just a number — it translates to higher overall tour ratings and better guest reviews for your company.
- Operational reliability: The workshop starts and ends on time, every time. No delays, no unexpected complications, no weather cancellations. Your itinerary stays intact.
- Repeat demand: Guests who experience the workshop tell friends and family. Tour guides who bring one group find that future groups specifically request the perfume workshop when they see it on the itinerary options.
If you’re looking for an activity that makes your tours stand out in a competitive market, the perfume workshop is a differentiator that competitors don’t offer. It’s not another temple, another market, or another cooking class — it’s a genuine creative experience that guests remember as the highlight of their trip.
For more information on how the workshop works from a guest perspective, visit our guide: What Exactly Is a Perfume Making Workshop? Guests who want to continue the experience at home can browse NOTE’s retail collection — reed diffusers, room sprays, and car fragrances — at thescentnote.biz.
Bring your groups to NOTE.
90 minutes, all-inclusive, customizable. Your guests leave with a souvenir they’ll keep forever. Your itinerary gets a five-star activity.
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Related Reading
- Bottle Your Vietnam Memories: The Full Workshop Experience
- Your Last Day in Vietnam? Here’s the Perfect Experience
- Beyond Coffee: Hidden Gems Inside the Cafe Apartment
- The 3-Day HCMC Itinerary Every Traveler Needs
- What Exactly Is a Perfume Making Workshop?
Further reading: Ho Chi Minh City travel guide on Wikivoyage | Vietnam Tourism Board — Ho Chi Minh City | International Fragrance Association (IFRA)
Further reading: Wikipedia — Perfume
Related Articles
- Tour Guide Perfume Workshop Guide
- Group Workshop Options
- Event Planner Workshop Packages
- Corporate Team Building at a Saigon Perfume Workshop
- District 1 Walking Tour — Saigon Guide
- Student Group Activities in Vietnam
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a partnership with NOTE – The Scent Lab?
Contact us with your company name, typical group size, and preferred location. We’ll respond within one business day with partnership details, commission structure, and booking protocols. No minimum commitment required to get started.
What group sizes can you accommodate?
From 2 to 50+ guests per session. For very large groups, we arrange multiple simultaneous sessions or stagger timing across the day. The Thảo Điền flagship handles the largest groups (50+), while the Cafe Apartment location is best for groups of 20 or fewer.
Is there a commission program for tour guides and operators?
Yes. We offer a per-guest commission for regular partners, with tiered rates based on monthly volume. The commission is settled according to your preferred schedule — per session, weekly, or monthly. Contact us to discuss specific rates.
How does the workshop fit into a typical tour itinerary?
The workshop takes exactly 90 minutes. Most tour guides schedule it mid-morning (10:00-11:30 AM) or mid-afternoon (2:00-3:30 PM) — it fits naturally between meals and sightseeing stops without disrupting the day’s flow.
Can you customize the experience for specific groups?
Yes. Options include custom bottle labels (with your company branding or event name), team challenge formats, extended education modules, professional photography coordination, and special themes for weddings or corporate events. Discuss your needs when you book.
What happens if my group needs to cancel or reschedule?
Free rescheduling with 48 hours’ notice. For established partners, no-show fees are waived. We understand that tour logistics can change last-minute and work to accommodate whenever possible.
Do you provide marketing materials I can use?
Yes. We provide high-resolution photos, workshop descriptions, and suggested copy for your brochures, websites, and booking platforms. All materials are available after your partnership is confirmed.
Practical info: perfume workshop price


