The riverside neighbourhood of Thao Dien in District 2 buzzes with cosmopolitan vibes minus the madness of Ho Chi Minh City’s hectic centre. It’s beloved by expats and heaves with restaurants, cafes, gourmet markets, chic shops, and more. Thao Dien’s best streets are Tran Ngoc Dien and Xuan Thuy; and we follow LUXE’s lovely resident editor Dror Lam as she walks you through the choicest titbits of this fun-tastic area.
The Deck
Kick-start your morning with a riverside breakfast or brunch at The Deck. In fact, this versatile mainstay is great any time of day, and its setting makes it unbeatable for sundowners too. Oh, and try the tamarind glazed pork ribs – they’re delish.
32
Make your way to nearby Tran Ngoc Dien street, where you will find 32, a one-stop, pooch-friendly dining, drinking, and shopping compound with cute boutiques selling threads for grown-ups and kids, as well as homeware and gifts. There’s a handy playground for the little ones while you sip good coffee at Snap Café or head for a spice hit at Thai Street.
La Casita
Across the street and up a smidge is La Casita, a hidden gem of a hotel—ideal to put up visiting family and friends when you’re not up for house guests. Connected to the hotel is La Plancha, a charming French bistro.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054228892021
Diabolo Square
Skip along to find Diabolo Square on the left, a bright and airy warehouse-style space brimming with locally made furniture and home accessories with a retro twist, including crockery, vases, mirrors, tables, and chairs.
https://diabolo-square.business.site
Villa Royal
Across the street is Villa Royal, an atmospheric antique shop stuffed with beautiful bric-a-brac. It also doubles as a sweet tea room for a cuppa and cake.
https://www.facebook.com/VillaRoyaleAntiques/
Okkio
A few minutes more and you’ll reach Xuan Thuy, which is the centre of action in Thao Dien. See what the city’s fashionable young things are up to at Okkio, a contemporary café that’s good for more coffee or a juice.
Oriole Bespoke Tailors
Ho Chi Minh City is full of 24-hour tailors, but the result of a rush job could be wonky sleeves or uneven hems. You can trust the folks at Oriole however, for high-end men’s suits cut just the way you want it.
https://www.facebook.com/oriolebespoke/
Marou
Time to make a beeline for Marou, Vietnam’s first bean-to-bar chocolate maker with several branches around town. The flagship store is on Xuan Thuy, a temple to all things cacao, including artisanal bars, bon bons, and the city’s best hot chocolate.
https://maisonmarou.com/location/d2/
BoAime
You’re moments away from BoAime, tucked away in a shaded courtyard for boho-chic floaty tops, dresses, and skirts for women.
https://m.facebook.com/BoAimeSaigon/
Jasmine Spa
You’ve made it to the end of the itinerary, you super trooper. Pamper yourself at Jasmine Spa, where friendly staff deliver soothing massages, manis, pedis, and a fab hair wash.
