Oishi Town (pictured), located in Alley No. 28, was established in 2018 on a three-hectare area surrounded by lush greenery, and is home to 20 coffee shops, restaurants, art studios, fashion and cosmetics retail stores, spas, and yoga studios.
A tree-lined path near a yoga studio in the alley.
Last year South Korean singer Lee Hyori shared photos taken in Alley 28 on her Instagram account, which has over one million followers. She was seen dining at a vegetarian restaurant and attending a yoga class, adding to the complex’s popularity.
A foreign tourist (second from L), who is seen getting her nails done at a salon, said she "fell in love" with Thao Dien due to its open roads, diverse dining options and green spaces that allow for comfortable walks throughout the day.
She found the nail services starting at VND130,000 affordable.
Haircuts range from VND200,000 for men and VND250,000 for women. Food and drinks cost VND70,000 to VND100,000.
Also on Tran Ngoc Dien Street is the Saigon Concept Complex set within a French-style villa. It houses 13 shops, including cafés, ice cream parlors, pottery and handicraft stores, art galleries, and clothing outlets.
The centerpiece is a “water table” in the courtyard surrounded by plants where visitors can relax and chat.
The villa’s backyard is divided into blocks and house smaller shops.
It is smaller than the other two complexes and has fewer stores.
Shops here are mostly open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and their prices start at VND500,000.
Drinks start at VND60,000.
Visitors can drink coffee in the shops in the front and explore the shops at the back, which sell Vietnamese handicrafts starting at VND35,000.
Bui Nhat, a resident of Thu Duc City, appreciates the complex’s modern yet nature-focused design. “It feels like sitting in a coffee shop in Chiang Mai,” he says.
Located in the eastern part of the city, formerly District 2 and now part of Thu Duc City, Thao Dien is home to over 20,000 residents, including many expats. The affluent area is known for its luxury bars and restaurants.
In early October Time Out ranked Thao Dien 16th on its list of the world’s 38 coolest neighborhoods, describing it as "a walkable, tree-lined neighborhood packed with restaurants, spas, and cool boutiques."
