Leave Saigon with More Than Just Souvenirs
You’ve wandered through the halls of the Reunification Palace, admired the timeless beauty of the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, and strolled along the buzzing Nguyen Hue Walking Street. You’ve seen the sights, felt the pulse of the city, and maybe even tasted your way through countless bowls of phở and cups of cà phê sữa đá. But now your final day arrived and as your trip to Ho Chi Minh City draws to a close, you’re left with one important question: How should I spend my last day in Saigon?
This isn’t just about ticking off one last attraction. The last day in Saigon is about ending your journey on a note that feels personal, memorable, and uniquely yours. It’s a chance to slow down, connect, reflect — and maybe even create something that encapsulates the spirit of your adventure.
Whether you’re traveling with friends, sharing moments with locals you’ve met along the way, or simply soaking in the last rays of Vietnamese sunshine solo, your final day deserves to be more than just an afterthought. It should be the perfect closing chapter to your story here — a time to create, experience, and celebrate everything that made your trip so special.
In this guide, we’ll show you some thoughtful, meaningful, and unforgettable ways to spend your last day in Saigon so you can walk away with not just memories, but something deeper: a lasting imprint of Vietnam in your heart.
Morning: A Slow Start with Local Brunch or Café Time to Reflect on your last day in Saigon
Ease into your final day in Saigon with a gentle, unrushed morning. There’s no need to chase one more landmark, instead, gift yourself a peaceful moment to simply be in the city one last time. Head to a local favorite in District 1 or the leafy streets of Thảo Điền, where you can sip your drink, watch the world go by, and take a quiet moment to reflect on your journey so far.
A rooftop café with a city view or a hidden garden nook can offer the perfect setting for this kind of morning. And of course, no farewell to Saigon would be complete without one last glass of cà phê sữa đá, the beloved Vietnamese iced coffee known around the world. Strong, sweet, and served over ice, it’s more than just a drink; it’s like a cultural ritual.
One place we absolutely recommend is R Flower & Café. Designed to calm the senses, this café invites you to slow down and soak in the moment. It’s more than just a coffee stop — it’s a place to pause, remember, and feel at peace before the next chapter of your travels begins.
On the menu, you’ll find classics like cà phê sữa đá (vietnamese iced coffe) and cà phê muối (salted coffee, a uniquely Vietnamese treat), alongside popular modern choices like matcha latte and refreshing fruit-based drinks made with local flavors — don’t miss the trà tắc at R Flower & Café, a zesty lime tea loved across Vietnam.
And if you’re in the mood for a sweet bite, R Flower & Café is also known for its homemade cream puffs — delicate, homemade, fresh and 100% worth indulging in. Think of it as your farewell gift from Saigon.
Late Morning to Mid-day: Souvenir Shopping & Crafting a Personal Memory
After your slow and reflective café moment, it’s time to pick up a few meaningful souvenirs to take back home not just for yourself, but for the loved ones waiting for your stories. Vietnam is full of charming, thoughtful gifts that carry a piece of its culture. Whether it’s a beautiful traditional fan, locally sourced tea or coffee from your favourite Café, handmade crafts, or classic souvenirs like magnets, postcards, or keychains, there’s something for everyone.
What truly matters isn’t the price or the size of the gift, but the thought behind it. The small gesture of bringing something back shows your loved ones that they were on your mind during your journey — and that means everything.
But if you’re looking for something more personal, something that truly reflects you and your unique experience in Vietnam, why not make it yourself on your last day in Saigon? Across the city, you’ll find a wide variety of creative workshops where you can craft your own keepsake after your city stroll. From candle-making and bracelet-making to pottery classes and more. Saigon offers hands-on experiences that let you bring a part of the trip home in the most authentic way.
One particularly special option is the perfume-making workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab. This isn’t just a workshop, it’s a journey into the art of scent. In just about 2 hours, you’ll design a fragrance that speaks your story, one that captures the essence of your time in Vietnam. It’s a deeply personal souvenir, unlike anything you’ll find in a shop, and it’s one that stays with you long after the trip ends.
Let your final day be about more than just shopping. Let it be about connection, creativity, and creating something uniquely yours.
Mid-day: Capture Saigon in a Scent with a perfume workshop
At NOTE – The Scent Lab, nestled in the heart of Saigon, you’ll have the chance to craft your very own signature perfume in a guided, hands-on workshop. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to literally bottle your memories.
This is more than just a creative activity, it’s a moment of pause and reflection. In a calm, beautifully designed space, you’ll blend around 30 different scent notes to design something that speaks to your story. Whether you want your perfume to evoke the scent of Saigon’s blooming tropical flowers, its lively streets, or the peaceful calm of a favorite café, NOTE helps you capture that feeling on your last day in Saigon.
So instead of just picking something off a shelf, you’re creating a scent that says something about where you’ve been, what you’ve felt, and who you were in this moment.
Every time someone asks, “What perfume are you wearing?”, you’ll have a beautiful story to tell.
Late Afternoon: One Last Stroll, One Last Taste on your last day in Saigon
After your creative experience at NOTE – The Scent Lab, give yourself time to ease into the final stretch of your Saigon story. Stop by a small boutique, an art market, or that ceramic shop you’ve passed a dozen times. This is your last moment to pick up any last-minute gifts or little treasures that caught your eye earlier in the trip.
Along the way, don’t miss the chance to enjoy some authentic Vietnamese street food on your last day in Saigon. Whether it’s a bánh mì from a street cart, a warm bánh xèo sizzling on a roadside grill, or a cup of fresh sugarcane juice — these simple pleasures hold the essence of daily life here. If there’s a spot you’ve grown to love during your stay, visit it one more time. Let the familiar tastes, sounds, and sights sink in one last time.
Evening: A Memorable Farewell Dinner
As the city lights begin to shimmer, end your journey with a dinner that feels like a celebration. Choose a spot with a rooftop view or along the Saigon River, where you can reflect on your time with a drink in hand and the skyline as your backdrop. It’s the perfect moment to wear your newly crafted perfume , a scent that carries the story of your journey. Whether you’re drawn to French-Vietnamese fusion, refined street food, or a modern plant-based kitchen, let this final day and final meal be your toast to all the memories made.
Linger in conversation, soak in the moment, and allow yourself to feel full, not just from the food, but from everything you’ve experienced here.
The Journey Home: Carrying Saigon with You
Eventually, it’s time to return, by train, car, or plane, but you won’t be leaving empty-handed. Along with your souvenirs and photos, you now carry something deeply personal: your own scent, crafted during your final hours on your last day in Saigon.
These small, beautiful moments now live in the fragrance you made. It tells your story — a sensory time capsule of everything you loved about Vietnam.
- Create Your Scent, Craft Your Story. -
Ready to End Your Trip with a Scented Memory?
Make your last day in Saigon unforgettable — not by rushing, but by creating. Let your final hours be filled with meaning, reflection, and a scent that’s yours alone. Book your perfume-making workshop at NOTE – The Scent Lab and say goodbye to Saigon in the most unforgettable way.
Visit us at thescentnote.com
Workshops available daily in Saigon and Hanoi
NOTE – The Scent Lab
Website: https://thescentnote.com/workshop/
Hotline:
Hà Nội (+84) 038 464 8410 – HCM (+84) 089 649 0038
Địa chỉ:
📍 34 Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, P. Thảo Điền, TP. Thủ Đức
📍 Gian 410, Tầng 4, Lotte Mall Tây Hồ, Hà Nội
Nhận thông tin cập nhật và discount từ NOTE
