Apart from bustling markets, historical landmarks and metropolitan shopping centers, Saigon (HCMC) is home to an ever-expanding web of creative hubs for those travelers with innovative minds. These locations are some of the tops recommended as well as best picks as some hubs are hidden gems lying in the bustling city. Explore and unleash your inner creativity by participating in a diverse variety of creative activities available all around Saigon.

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Creative Workshops

Away Studio

Away Studio was founded in 2017 by the chief editor of the independent publication T.pot Journal- Kim Anh Doan. It first started as a culinary arts and lifestyle magazine, and eventually blossomed into a unique creative workshop. The studio collaborates with experienced chefs, designers, and photographers and hosts monthly cooking or food photography workshops. Its workshops involve a variety of creative activities such as flower arrangement, drawing, DIY projects, food photography, food styling and so much more, depending on the time of the year. Away Studio is definitely a location not to be missed and would perfectly fit one with passions for cooking, arts, and crafting. Through these informative and exciting creative activities, they aim to connect people from different cultures and guide beginners on their creative paths.

Away Studio: https://www.away-studio.com/

Hey Camel Ceramics

Hey Camel Ceramics is a ceramic works store that also hosts weekly pottery lessons. It is truly a hidden gem of Saigon, as the shop lies near the end of a small alley in District 3 and all kinds of wonder open up as you enter the welcoming, cozy space. All of their ceramic products are handmade, therefore each bowl or cup is uniquely shaped, not like one another and with designs you cannot find anywhere else or at a department store. Anyone of any age group and interests could join their weekly pottery sessions. The small but cozy space ensures the most comfortable and exciting time as a blank piece of clay is a great medium for self-expression and creativity. The teacher is none other than the creative director and founder of Hey Camel Ceramics- Leandro. He hosts pottery lessons on the weekend at the price of VND450,000 which includes all the materials needed such as colorful paints to make your imagination come to life. Besides from being great souvenirs or simply vessels to drink your iced tea on a hot summer day, the creations would also be a wonderful demonstration of your inner artist. The unique workshop is also open and encouraging to people with disabilities to join in, as they plan to make a positive impact on the Vietnamese community.

Address: 116/19A Trần Quốc Toản Street, District 3, Ward 7, Ho Chi Minh City
You can book your pottery lesson and find out more about the shop here: https://www.facebook.com/heycamelceramics/

Grado Art Studio

Grado Art Studios was founded in 2014 and is a professional studio in Thao Dien, District 2 where participants can create vibrant artworks in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Their creative art workshops are available for both adults and children and would be a great starting point for beginners who want to explore their artistic capabilities. The studio specializes in drawing and painting lessons, and this is an experience not to be missed when you either live in the city or just visiting. Take a break from your busy work schedule or tiring time spent exploring and embark on a period of full relaxation in their peaceful and inspiring workshops. With paint, canvas, and brushes provided in an airy space filled with natural lighting, Grado Studio is perfect for aspiring artists or people who seek simple stress relief on the weekends. If you don’t have the resources or space at home for your children to express their imagination, the studio is also perfect as there is plenty of room for their bursting creativity to go wild.

Address: 170 Nguyen Van Huong Street, River Garden Building, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Grado Art Studio: http://www.grado-artstudio.com/

Co-working space

The Hive Saigon

The Hive- one of Asia’s largest network of co-working space that spans from Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong has reached Vietnam.  The workspace recently opened in Ho Chi Minh city and lies in the center of the vibrant District 2. The Hive Saigon spans 3 floors of a commercial building and includes an airy rooftop space where you can relax and socialize with your colleagues after a stressful day. The bright, modern and spacious space would optimize your creativity as well as inspire new innovation every day. This location is great for people who are easily inspired by their surroundings and social circles as the Hive’s community is highly diverse in a multicultural district full of expats. Young entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders could develop their creativity here.

Address: 94 Xuan Thuy, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
More information here: http://thehive.com.vn/

Think In A Box Café

Prepare to think outside the box (ironically), as Think In A Box is a modern hub which ensures optimal knowledge sharing and effective teamwork activities in a warm but professional environment. The hub provides private and fully facilitated meeting/ working rooms which are customized to a customer’s liking such as light intensity, arrangement, and the appropriate atmosphere. This location fits perfectly for any profession, even teachers and students, as the comfortable area allows all individuals to discuss, co-operate and learn from each other dynamically. This space is great for a wide variation of activities either individually or in groups such as training sessions, workshops, meetings, learning, working and much more as the arrangements are highly flexible and many types of services could be provided on request.

Think In A Box Café Address 1: 27 Nguyen Khac Nhu, Co Giang Ward, District 1

Start Saigon

Start Saigon is one of the expats’ favorite co-working campuses currently present in Saigon. Located in an alley off Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street, the space provides all the necessary facilities for any typical worker or young entrepreneurs looking for a space of motivation and diversity. Reflecting the title, this co-working space is truly where one can start their businesses or begin new valuable friendships and connections through networking with fellow expats. This location is very suitable for tech-lovers, as it is a hub consisting of mainly Technology entrepreneurs who co-work and co-live all together in the same space. You can gain access to a thriving tech community at Start Saigon and constantly meet new people or possible partners during their monthly free happy hours or occasional meetups. If sharing ideas, nurturing and developing business concepts and socializing is up to your alley, Start Saigon might be the ideal home for your growing Tech business.

Address: 18bis/14 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
More information here: http://start-saigon.com/

Arts

San Art

San Art is an independent and innovative non-profit art organization located in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. Laying above the Caphe Thu Bay Tre in District 3, it aims to promote and showcase art from local artists all over Vietnam who often find it difficult to find opportunities due to the limited resources and infrastructure within the country. With the purpose of bringing awareness to the local artistic community, the premise contains a public reading room where any visitor can access visual and contextual information on local artworks San Art has collected. In collaboration with external partners, San Art provides a warm space where lesser-known artists could exhibit their work, demonstrating the endless creativity within the community. This location is perfect for any art enthusiast, as San Art also displays literature, hosts performances, and artist presentations. It has become a true alternative for local artists from commercial production and a great platform for creative minds to express themselves.

Address:  3F - 264 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh city
Find out more about this art hub here: http://san-art.org/

Saigon Outcast

Looking for a fun night out? Come to Saigon Outcast, where you will be surprised with a haven of creativity along with exciting street art, live music, DJs and cinema nights. In the middle of the quiet grounds of District 2, Saigon Outcast provides a thrilling hideout for social butterflies as well as creative and curious minds. Reflecting the name ‘Outcast’, it is truly a unique venue where entertaining activities happen all year round, with cocktails, craft beer and local ciders being poured every night and the sound of laughter and exciting conversations taking place amongst the upbeat live music in the background. The venue consists of a groovy garden bar and a chill outdoor market which opens occasionally on Sundays, providing the most ideal atmosphere for a weekend stress-relief trip or just simply a place to have fun with your friends. A location particularly popular with expats, Saigon Outcast never stops developing and ultimately brings East and West cultures into a harmonious combination. Skateboard ramps, walls full of creative graffiti and colorful shipping containers are only a few exciting sights you may encounter on the premise.

Address:  188 Nguyễn Văn Hưởng Street, Thảo Điền Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

 Craig Thomas Gallery

Located in Ho Chi Minh city and founded in 2009, Craig Thomas Gallery exhibits and displays a vast array of Vietnamese contemporary art. The gallery provides a stable launch platform to emerging local artists by introducing the products of their creativity to a larger audience who came from Vietnam and all over the world. The artworks that are showcased at the venue not only give opportunities and public coverage to inspiring artists but also promote Vietnamese culture and redefines the art community within Saigon. The main exhibition space is located in the heart of District 1, while a smaller exhibition area is in Saigon’s District 2. Apart from local artists, the gallery also showcases numerous artworks from award-winning Vietnamese artists, displaying a diverse use of media such as painting and sculpture.

Address:  27i Trần Nhật Duật Street, Tân Định Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
More information on the local artists and artworks can be found here: http://cthomasgallery.com/

Music

Nguyen Thien Thuat “Guitar Street”

Nguyen Thien Thuat street is located in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; it’s renowned for being a hub for guitarists and for consisting of more than 30 guitar stops along the short 500 meters stretch. The intriguing hidden gem within the bustling city is not only home to dozens of talented guitarists, but it is also home to experienced artisans who treat guitar-making as a respected art form and a precious method of self-expression. Guitar makers on Nguyen Thien Thuat street have sharped their skills and credentials over more than a decade since the Reunification in 1975. The skillful artisans not only saw Ho Chi Minh City grow as a city and collective community but also saw a major part of its history, including when it was once officially called ‘Saigon’. Businesses thrived and grew on the street as it has become a famous local attraction for expats and tourists who come from all over the world- from Australia from the USA to Europe. The cozy shops on the street sell numerous Vietnamese traditional instruments such as the ‘dan huyet’ (two-stringed moon lute) and acoustic guitars, which will make great souvenirs for music enthusiasts or perfect addition to a professional’s inventory, as the sounds created are unique and reflect the fiery passion from respected Vietnamese artisans who dedicated their lives and craftsmanship to Nguyen Thien Thuat street.

Indika Saigon

Located on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City in Da Kao, Indika is an ideal sanctuary for music lovers and busy people looking to escape the overwhelming atmosphere in the city center and stress from weekly work. Consisting of outdoor and indoor areas decorated in a homely fashion, visitors feel right at home and as if they have entered a cozy hideaway. The walls are decorated with odd statues and murals, while the spacious courtyards are covered with green plants and wooden tables. The venue is a harmonious combination of a café, restaurant, office and friend’s house, providing a welcoming and friendly atmosphere that greets every visitor as they walk in the door. Events that are hosted at the location include the acoustic jam on Wednesdays, free-flow of draught beer on Fridays, live music performances on Saturdays and relaxing sessions on Sundays. To combat the effects of alcohol, Indika provides a variety of healthy but delicious dishes on their menu which makes the location ideal for people from all walks of life and interests. Indika is the perfect venue for those looking for a relaxing and fun experience not too far away from the busy city life. The café never stops growing and changing, and with the variety of visitors there, you might also be able to meet new lifelong friends from your visit.

Address:  43 Nguyễn Văn Giai Street, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Yoko Bar Saigon

Yoko is a live music venue where aspiring musicians from all over the city meet, perform and innovate while demonstrating their creativity to an audience. With exciting and fresh performances from local singers, Yoko never disappoints as performers would often put their own touch into the mainstream or classic songs which make every visit memorable and refreshing. Founded nearly two decades ago, the café has become a pioneer in introducing young Vietnamese musicians to locals and boosting their careers from then on. The venue is suitable no matter what music you’re interested in- Yoko’s artists perform covers belonging to the genres rock, pop, jazz, blues, country and even indie, offering a wide variety of music for a wide-ranging target audience. This bar is very ideal for music enthusiasts and people who are looking for a unique twist on traditional songs.

Address:  22 Nguyễn Thị Diệu Street, Ward 6, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City