What to do on your last day in Ho Chi Minh City when your itinerary has a gap? Here are 7 ways to fill those final hours — from a 90-minute perfume workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab to rooftop drinks at sunset. Most don’t require booking, but the best ones do. This what to do last day HCMC guide covers everything you need to know.
Your last day rarely goes as planned. Maybe you’ve done everything on the list already. Maybe the cooking class you wanted is full. Maybe you just woke up late and suddenly it’s noon with nothing scheduled before your 6 PM airport transfer.
These 7 activities are designed for exactly that moment — flexible, central, and satisfying without feeling rushed.
1. Make Your Own Perfume (90 Minutes)
The most meaningful thing you can do with your final hours. At NOTE – The Scent Lab, you create a custom fragrance from Vietnamese ingredients — guided by a trained workshop instructor. You leave with a bottled perfume, your name on the label, and a souvenir that captures your entire Vietnam trip in a single scent.
Locations in District 1 (Cafe Apartment) and Thao Dien. 4.9 stars from 500+ travelers. Book and pay online — fits perfectly between checkout and airport.
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.
“Very friendly stuff and interesting workshop! You need to spend time here.”
“It all became good and understandable and the staff were very helpful. A nice experience.”
2. Coffee Crawl
in District 1 (2-3 Hours)
Saigon’s coffee culture deserves a dedicated session. Start with a ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) at any street-side stall. Graduate to ca phe trung (egg coffee) at a specialty shop. Finish with a third-wave pour-over at one of the new-generation cafes in the Cafe Apartment building.
Suggested route: Start at a street stall on Bui Vien or De Tham (District 1 backpacker area) for a 15,000 VND (~$0.60) ca phe sua da. Walk 10 minutes to The Workshop Coffee (26 Le Loi) for a single-origin pour-over (~80,000 VND). Then head to the Cafe Apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue for a rooftop latte with views (~65,000-90,000 VND). Total: under $8 for three wildly different coffee experiences.
No booking needed. Just walk, smell, sit, drink, repeat.
3. Ben Thanh Market for Last-Minute Gifts (1-2 Hours)
The iconic market near District 1 center. Spices, dried fruits, coffee, silk, lacquerware — everything you need for last-minute gifts. Haggle gently (start at 60% of asking price). Go in the morning for the best selection and fewer crowds.
Address: Le Loi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1. Open 6 AM – 6 PM (indoor market), night market outside runs until 11 PM on weekends. Best buys: Vietnamese coffee (whole bean or ground, 50,000-150,000 VND per bag), dried tropical fruits (mango, jackfruit — 80,000-120,000 VND), silk scarves (150,000-300,000 VND after haggling), lacquerware bowls (100,000-200,000 VND). Tip: The stalls deeper inside the market tend to have better prices than those at the entrances.
4. A Spa or Massage
(1-2 Hours)
Saigon has world-class spas at Vietnamese prices. A 90-minute full-body massage costs $20-40 at a reputable establishment. The perfect way to decompress before a long flight. No booking needed for most — just walk in.
Where to go: For a proper spa experience, try establishments along Dong Khoi or Hai Ba Trung streets in District 1. Most offer Vietnamese traditional massage, hot stone, and aromatherapy options. A foot massage (60 min) runs about 200,000-350,000 VND ($8-14). A full-body oil massage (90 min) is typically 400,000-700,000 VND ($16-28). Tip: Check Google reviews — anything above 4.5 stars with 100+ reviews is generally safe and professional.
5. Rooftop Drinks at Golden Hour (1-2 Hours)
Saigon’s skyline is underrated. Head to a rooftop bar between 5-6 PM for golden hour. Popular options: Saigon Saigon Bar (Hotel Caravelle, 19 Lam Son Square — cocktails from 220,000 VND), Chill Skybar (AB Tower, 76A Le Lai — more modern, great DJ sets), or any of the rooftop spots along Nguyen Hue. A cold Saigon Beer, a city view, and the feeling of having earned it.
Budget-friendly alternative: Grab a Saigon Beer (25,000-35,000 VND) from a convenience store and sit on the steps of Nguyen Hue Walking Street. Same sunset, same city energy, fraction of the price. Locals do it every evening.
6. Walk Nguyen Hue
to the Saigon River (1 Hour)
The Nguyen Hue Walking Street is at its best in the late afternoon — families, street performers, kids on electric scooters. Walk the full length from the People’s Committee Building to the Saigon River. Take your time. This is Saigon in its purest, most everyday form.
What to look for along the way: The Ho Chi Minh statue and fountain at the north end. The Cafe Apartment building (42 Nguyen Hue) with its mismatched colorful balconies — worth a photo even if you don’t go inside. Street performers and breakdancers who appear after 5 PM. The new riverfront promenade at the south end, completed in recent years, where you can watch boats on the Saigon River.
7. Return to Your Favorite Spot
Sometimes the best last-day plan is no plan. Go back to the pho stall you loved on Day 1. Sit at the cafe where the Wi-Fi was good and the chairs were plastic. Return to the alley you walked through but didn’t explore. Your second visit is always deeper than your first.
Ideas for revisiting: That banh mi stall in an alley off Bui Vien where the queue was 20 people deep? Go at 8 AM — no queue. The rooftop at the Cafe Apartment where you only had 10 minutes? Now you have an hour. The side street in District 4 where you smelled something incredible but were in a rush? Today is your day. Saigon rewards return visits — the city shows you different things the second time around.
Getting Around on Your Last Day
Your last day is all about efficiency — you want to spend time doing things, not stuck in traffic or figuring out logistics. Here’s how to move around Saigon smartly on your final hours:
Grab (Ride-Hailing App)
Your best friend for last-day logistics. GrabCar for comfort (air-conditioned, metered, no haggling), GrabBike for speed (faster through traffic, half the price). District 1 to Thao Dien: 15-20 minutes by car, 50,000-80,000 VND. District 1 to Tan Son Nhat Airport: 20-40 minutes depending on traffic, 150,000-250,000 VND by car.
Walking
If you’re staying in District 1, most last-day activities are walkable. Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Cafe Apartment, rooftop bars — all within a 15-minute walk of each other. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a water bottle. The heat is real, even in the “cool” season.
Airport Transfer Timing
Tan Son Nhat Airport is surprisingly close — only 7 km from District 1. But Saigon traffic is unpredictable. Rule of thumb: leave 60-90 minutes before your flight’s recommended check-in time. For a 6 PM flight (check-in by 4 PM), leave District 1 by 2:30-3:00 PM. For early morning flights, traffic is lighter — 30-45 minutes is usually enough.
Luggage Storage
Most hotels will store your luggage for free after checkout — just ask at the front desk. If you’re staying in a hostel or Airbnb, LuggAgent and similar services offer luggage storage around District 1 for 50,000-80,000 VND per bag. The NOTE workshop and most cafes are also happy to hold bags during your session.
What NOT to Do on Your Last Day
Your final hours are precious. Here are the mistakes that waste them:
Don’t go to the airport too early
Tan Son Nhat is efficient. Domestic flights: arrive 90 minutes before departure. International: 2 hours is plenty. Sitting in the departure lounge for 4 hours is dead time you could have spent in the city. Use those hours for a workshop, a meal, or one last coffee.
Don’t try to visit a new neighborhood far away
Your last day is not the day to discover District 7, Thu Duc, or anywhere that requires a 40-minute Grab ride. Stick to District 1 and nearby areas. The risk of traffic delays eating into your airport buffer is too high. Save new neighborhoods for your next trip.
Don’t spend the morning packing
Pack the night before. Seriously. Every minute you spend folding clothes on your last morning is a minute you’re not eating pho, drinking coffee, or making a perfume. Your suitcase doesn’t care when you zip it — your memories do.
Don’t exchange money at the airport
Airport exchange rates in Ho Chi Minh City are notoriously bad — 3-5% worse than city ATMs or jewelers. If you need VND for your last day, withdraw from a District 1 ATM the night before. If you have leftover VND, spend it on last-minute gifts or coffee rather than converting it back at the airport.
Don’t book a long tour or day trip
A Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels day trip on your departure day is a recipe for stress. These trips involve unpredictable traffic, fixed return times, and zero buffer for delays. Keep your last day flexible, central, and low-commitment. A 90-minute perfume workshop is the perfect length — it’s satisfying without locking you into a rigid schedule.
“Orange was very helpful and guided me through all the fragrances. A unique and enjoyable perfume workshop.”
Budget for Your Last Day
Here’s what a full last day in HCMC actually costs, so you can plan your remaining VND:
| Activity | Cost (VND) | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee crawl (3 stops) | 160,000-250,000 | $6-10 | Street stall + specialty + rooftop |
| Perfume workshop at NOTE | See pricing page | — | All materials included, card accepted |
| Ben Thanh Market gifts | 200,000-500,000 | $8-20 | Depends on haggling skills |
| Spa / massage (90 min) | 400,000-700,000 | $16-28 | Full-body at a reputable spa |
| Rooftop drinks | 220,000-400,000 | $9-16 | 2 cocktails at a rooftop bar |
| Lunch | 80,000-200,000 | $3-8 | Street food to mid-range restaurant |
| Grab to airport | 150,000-250,000 | $6-10 | From District 1 to Tan Son Nhat |
| Total (all activities) | ~1,200,000-2,300,000 | ~$48-92 | Pick 3-4 activities for a great day |
Tip: Withdraw your last VND in the morning. Most District 1 ATMs dispense in 500,000 or 1,000,000 VND increments. You won’t need much — card is accepted at workshops, spas, and rooftop bars.
A Suggested Last-Day Timeline
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Check out, store luggage at hotel |
| 9:30 AM | Coffee at a District 1 cafe |
| 10:30 AM | Perfume workshop at NOTE (90 min) |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch — your favorite spot |
| 1:30 PM | Ben Thanh Market for gifts |
| 3:00 PM | Spa / massage |
| 5:00 PM | Rooftop drinks at sunset |
| 6:30 PM | Grab to airport |
For early flights (before 2 PM): Prioritize the perfume workshop (book the 9 AM or 9:30 AM slot) and one other activity. You can still fit coffee + workshop + a quick market stop before heading to the airport by 11 AM.
For late flights (after 8 PM): You have the full day. Do everything on the timeline above plus an extra hour of exploring on foot. The evening rooftop drinks become a proper farewell dinner instead.
Don’t waste your last day waiting at the airport.
Create a custom perfume in 90 minutes — the souvenir that makes your trip unforgettable.
Browse NOTE’s ready-made collection if you’re already home.
Find us: TripAdvisor · Instagram · Facebook
Related Reading
- What is a perfume making workshop?
- Last day in Vietnam — perfume workshop experience
- Beyond coffee at the Cafe Apartment — hidden gems
- 3-day Ho Chi Minh City itinerary
Further reading: Ho Chi Minh City travel guide on Wikivoyage | Vietnam Tourism Board — Ho Chi Minh City
Related Articles
- Last Day Vietnam Perfume Workshop
- Cafe Apartment Saigon
- 3-Day Hcmc Itinerary
- Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City — Complete Guide
- Ultimate Things to Do in HCMC
- 5 Best Craft Workshops in Ho Chi Minh City
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do on your last day in Ho Chi Minh City?
Top options: perfume workshop at NOTE (90 min), coffee crawl, Ben Thanh Market, spa/massage, rooftop sunset drinks, and walking Nguyen Hue. Most fit between hotel checkout and airport transfer.
Can I do a perfume workshop before my flight?
Yes. The workshop is 90 minutes and centrally located. With a 5-6 PM flight, a morning session works perfectly. Book online ahead.
What’s the best last-day activity in Saigon?
A perfume making workshop is consistently rated the most meaningful last-day activity — you create a souvenir that captures your entire trip. 4.9 stars from 500+ travelers at NOTE – The Scent Lab.
Where should I go on my last day in District 1?
The Cafe Apartment (42 Nguyen Hue), Ben Thanh Market, and Nguyen Hue Walking Street are all within walking distance in District 1.
Is the perfume carry-on friendly?
Yes. Under 100ml — fully compliant with airline carry-on liquid rules. Travel-packaged and sealed.
How much should I budget for my last day in HCMC?
A comfortable last day with 3-4 activities costs roughly $50-90 USD total, including coffee, the perfume workshop, lunch, market shopping, and a Grab to the airport. Street food and walking are nearly free; the workshop and spa are the main expenses.
