In short: Thao Dien is Saigon’s leafy, walkable riverside neighbourhood, just across the river from District 1. It is best for slow mornings, specialty coffee, art, riverside walks and wellness. Take Metro Line 1 to Thảo Điền station (about 7,000 VND from Ben Thanh), then spend the day on foot. For the most restful stop of all, book a float at Ōmni Space, 16C Quốc Hương.
Thao Dien, in Thủ Đức City, is where many people in Saigon go to slow down. The streets are low-rise and shaded, there are more than 80 cafés within a few square kilometres, and the Saigon River is never far away. This guide is written by the team at Ōmni Space, a float therapy centre on Quốc Hương street, for anyone who wants a calmer day in the city.
How to get to Thao Dien
- Metro Line 1: ride from Ben Thanh to Thảo Điền station. Single tickets start at about 7,000 VND, and a one-day pass is 40,000 VND (2025 fares; check at the station). From the station, most of the neighbourhood is a 10–20 minute walk or a short Grab ride.
- Grab or taxi: from District 1 it usually takes 20–30 minutes, longer at rush hour.
- Getting around: Thao Dien is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, especially early in the morning and after 16:00 when it is cooler.
A slow day in Thao Dien
| Time | What to do | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Coffee in one of the neighbourhood’s many cafés, then a walk or bike ride along the lanes near Nguyễn Văn Hưởng street and the river | Go before 9:00 to beat the heat |
| Late morning | Vietnamese fine art at Quang San Art Museum, 189B/3 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, overlooking the river; or the newer 224 Space | Check opening hours before you go |
| Lunch | Japanese, Korean, Italian and Vietnamese restaurants on Thao Dien street and Xuân Thủy, or a vegetarian lunch (see below) | Eat light if you plan to float in the afternoon |
| Afternoon | Rest properly: a 60–90 minute float at Ōmni Space, or a sauna and ice bath session | Book ahead for a specific time |
| Sunset | Riverside cafés and rooftop bars along Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, looking across to Thủ Thiêm | Sunset is around 17:30–18:00 |
| Evening | Thảo Điền Night Street on Xuân Thủy, between Quốc Hương and Nguyễn Văn Hưởng, with music and food on weekend evenings | Check the current schedule; it opened in 2024 |
The most relaxing things to do in Thao Dien
1. Float in total silence
At Ōmni Space you float effortlessly in skin-temperature water holding 500 kg of Epsom salt, in a private room that is dark and almost silent. For 60 to 120 minutes there is nothing to do. It is the deepest rest you can find in the neighbourhood, and the team behind it opened Vietnam’s first float centre in 2017. Sessions start at 1,500,000 VND; read what to expect on your first float first.
2. Sweat it out, then cool down
Hot–cold contrast is one of the best ways to reset after a long week. Ōmni Space has a private infrared sauna at 45–55°C next to an ice bath at 11–15°C; both together cost 900,000 VND. Several gyms and recovery studios in the area also have saunas.
3. A massage at a neighbourhood spa
Thao Dien has more than 100 spas, from simple foot massage to full-day spa packages. For a list with reviews, browse the spas section of thaodien.app.
4. Walk or cycle by the river
The lanes between Nguyễn Văn Hưởng street and the Saigon River are among the greenest in the city. Go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and end at a riverside café.
5. Take your time over coffee
With more than 80 cafés, Thao Dien rewards slow mornings: specialty roasters, garden cafés and quiet corners for reading. A café without a laptop is a small rest in itself.
6. See art by the river
Quang San Art Museum at 189B/3 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng opened in 2023 as one of the first private art museums in Ho Chi Minh City. Its riverside grounds of about 2,000 m² make a quiet stop between meals. The neighbourhood also has newer spaces such as 224 Space; check what is on before you go.
7. Join a yoga or movement class
Thao Dien has several yoga and fitness studios, many with classes in English. A gentle class before a float or sauna is a good way to start a rest day.
8. Pick up a souvenir
The Vesta on Ngô Quang Huy street sells souvenirs and small gifts, an easy stop if you want to take a piece of Saigon home.
Where to eat vegetarian in Thao Dien
Thao Dien is one of the easiest places in Saigon to eat plant-based. A light vegetarian meal about two hours before a float is ideal, so you are neither hungry nor too full in the water.
- iVegan: Western-style plant-based food such as burgers, pizza, salads and smoothie bowls.
- Roots Plant-based Cafe (alley 41 Xuân Thủy): a plant-based café, good for a relaxed brunch or lunch.
- ChanChan Vegan Noodle (Tiệm mì chay ChanChan): vegan noodles, good for a quick, light lunch.
Addresses and opening hours change, so check Google Maps before you go.
Where to go, by how you feel
| If you feel… | Try | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Exhausted, can’t switch off | A 90-minute float at Ōmni Space | 2 hours |
| Stiff and tired after training | Infrared sauna + ice bath (900,000 VND) | 1.5 hours |
| Like being looked after | A massage at a neighbourhood spa | 1–2 hours |
| In need of fresh air | A riverside walk near Nguyễn Văn Hưởng | 1 hour |
| In need of inspiration | Quang San Art Museum | 1–2 hours |
Practical tips
- Beat the heat: plan outdoor time before 10:00 or after 16:00.
- Rainy season (May to November): short, heavy showers are common in the afternoon. Keep an indoor plan, such as a float, a gallery or a café.
- Weekends are busier: book wellness sessions and dinner in advance.
- Walk-ins at Ōmni Space: welcome until 18:00 every day, but booking secures your time.
Planning a gift for someone who lives nearby? See our gift ideas.
FAQs
What is Thao Dien known for?
Thao Dien is a leafy, walkable riverside neighbourhood in Thủ Đức City, Ho Chi Minh City, known for specialty cafés, international restaurants, art spaces, spas and a large expat community.
How do I get to Thao Dien from District 1?
Take Metro Line 1 from Ben Thanh to Thảo Điền station (single tickets from about 7,000 VND), or a Grab, which usually takes 20–30 minutes.
What are the most relaxing things to do in Thao Dien?
Float therapy at Ōmni Space, an infrared sauna and ice bath session, a massage at a neighbourhood spa, a riverside walk, a slow coffee and a visit to Quang San Art Museum by the river.
Where can I do float therapy, sauna or an ice bath in Thao Dien?
Ōmni Space at 16C Quốc Hương has private float rooms, an infrared sauna (45–55°C) and an ice bath (11–15°C). It is open daily 9:00–21:00, with walk-ins until 18:00.
Is Thao Dien walkable?
Yes. Most of the neighbourhood is low-rise and shaded, and it is easy to explore on foot or by bicycle, especially in the morning and late afternoon.
Where can I eat vegetarian in Thao Dien?
Popular choices include iVegan (plant-based burgers, pizza and bowls), Roots Plant-based Cafe (alley 41 Xuân Thủy) and ChanChan Vegan Noodle. Check Google Maps for current addresses and hours.
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