{"id":3083,"date":"2026-06-11T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&p=3083"},"modified":"2026-06-11T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T11:00:00","slug":"thao-dien-saigon","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/thao-dien-saigon\/","title":{"rendered":"Across the Saigon River, \"Thao Dien\"\u2014another Saigon where boutiques and caf\u00e9s gather"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the center of Ho Chi Minh City,the Saigon River<\/strong>on the east side, across it, there's a quiet area most tourists pass right by. It's Thao Dien. Along tree-lined streets, privately run caf\u00e9s, boutiques, and galleries are dotted, gathering foreign residents, young families, and artists. As \"another Saigon\" where a time different from bustling Saigon flows, it's becoming a new go-to for stays and strolls.<\/p>\n

The \"quiet Saigon\" across the river<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thao Dien is in the former District 2 (now Thu Duc City), and in contrast to central Ho Chi Minh City's hustle, it wears a relaxed air evoking a Western suburb. With international schools, Western restaurants, green streets, and riverside apartments, it has been known as the most popular residential area for Western expatriate families. The Saigon metro that opened in December 2024 has a Thao Dien station, improving access from the center too.<\/p>\n

District 1's distinctive caf\u00e9s<\/a>Different again from those, the many shops blended into the residential neighborhood are this area's appeal.<\/p>\n

Caf\u00e9s: hidden gems tucked in lanes and old buildings<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Known as a pioneer of specialty coffee,The Workshop Coffee<\/strong>is in a room of an old apartment, where you can taste a pour-over of Vietnamese beans in a space cut off from the street's bustle. Bringing Hue's coffee culture,Hue Cafe Roastery<\/strong>, and riverside,Satsuma House<\/strong>, a 1970s villa renovation, and other shops where the buildings themselves have a story are many.Da Lat's sky caf\u00e9<\/a>In contrast to view-oriented ones like that, here it competes on the density of \"caf\u00e9s of a town you live in.\"<\/p>\n

Boutiques and galleries<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the lanes around Thao Dien market, small privately run fashion shops, goods shops, and lifestyle shops gather. Linen clothes, handmade accessories, and ceramic and rattan crafts are lined up, and you can get works by local designers. More stay-a-while complex spots are appearing too, like a boutique handling over 100 Vietnamese designers and small brandsOh Quao<\/strong>, and a spot where 13 caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and shops gather in the courtyard of a French villaSaigon Concept<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Spot<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nCharacteristics<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
The Workshop Coffee<\/td>\nCafe<\/td>\nA specialty pioneer, a room of an old apartment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Satsuma House<\/td>\nCaf\u00e9-bar<\/td>\nA 1970s villa renovation, a riverside garden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Oh Quao<\/td>\nBoutique<\/td>\nHandling over 100 Vietnamese designers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Saigon Concept<\/td>\nComplex facility<\/td>\n13 shops in a French villa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The Factory<\/td>\nGallery<\/td>\nA base for contemporary-art exhibitions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Art and experiences<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It has a face as a town of creation too. Contemporary-artThe Factory Contemporary Arts Centre<\/strong>\u3001Vin Gallery<\/strong>and other galleries are dotted about, and there are also play spaces likeSaigon Outcast<\/strong>where you can enjoy rock climbing and trampolines. The density that lets you circulate through shopping, caf\u00e9s, and art in one day creates a way of spending time unique to this area.<\/p>\n

Rated \"the world's coolest neighborhood\" too<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thao Dien was administratively merged into An Khanh district in July 2025, but its brand as a place name is alive and well, and it has been named one of the \"world's coolest neighborhoods\" by overseas media. With the food and retail layers nurtured by the foreign community mixing with the sensibility of Vietnam's younger generation, a \"comfort of not being over-touristed\" is preserved.Small caf\u00e9s in the lanes<\/a>It's a town that suits a stay like frequenting them.<\/p>\n

Impact on Japanese travelers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Against the itineraries of Japanese people, which tend to lean toward the standard District 1 and Ben Thanh Market area, Thao Dien becomes \"a reason to extend one more night.\" Local designers' goods and coffee at private shops in the residential neighborhood offer an experience different from mass-produced souvenirs. For families and repeat Ho Chi Minh City visitors, it's a strong option as a calm place to stay.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just crossing the Saigon River greatly changes the city's tempo. Thao Dien proposes a Saigon of \"spending time as if you live there,\" different from a trip that rushes around the famous sights. Tree-lined-street caf\u00e9s, local designers' boutiques, villa galleries \u2014 on your next Ho Chi Minh City stay, a day across the river is worth working in.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong><\/h2>\n