Perfume Making Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City by NOTE – The Scent Lab

Perfume making turns a few hours in Ho Chi Minh City into a hands-on lesson in how scent works. At NOTE – The Scent Lab, you’ll explore more than 30 fragrances, learn how notes combine, then blend a small bottle to suit your own preferences.

I love two things here: the personality quiz gives you a useful starting point if you’re unsure what you like, and instructors such as Cam and Doli help you test and adjust your blend instead of leaving you to guess. You take home a 10ml perfume, not just a set of notes in a notebook.

The main consideration is the location. The studio is at 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu in Thao Dien, Thu Duc, which some people find a long way from central Ho Chi Minh City and a little tricky to locate. Allow time for the trip, and arrive promptly.

A perfume workshop built around your own nose

This is not a lecture followed by a quick souvenir purchase. You’ll smell individual fragrance ingredients, learn how perfume notes are arranged, and use that knowledge to create a scent of your own. The instructor guides the process, but your preferences shape the final formula.

The session runs about 1.5 to 2 hours, with listed times of 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. That is enough time to sample, compare, and make adjustments without turning the activity into a full-day commitment. It also makes a good plan for a hot or rainy part of the day, when an indoor activity can be welcome.

A personality quiz helps identify a scent profile, but treat it as a conversation starter rather than a rulebook. You are free to follow your nose. If the quiz points you toward one family of scents and you prefer another, the point is to make a perfume you want to wear.

The workshop is offered in English and Vietnamese. English-speaking instructors have helped explain the process clearly, and several names come up in connection with the sessions, including Cam, Doli, Audrey, Uyen, and Min. Instructors may vary by date, so don’t book expecting a particular person.

From fragrance wheel to your first blend

The class begins with an introduction to fragrance types and the fragrance wheel. You’ll get a framework for comparing scents, which matters when a room full of bottles can make your nose lose track of what it likes. Rather than simply smelling at random, you start to notice how different notes fit together.

Next comes the scent-profile quiz. It gives you a few prompts about your personality and preferences, then helps point you toward possible fragrance directions. This is a light, interactive way into the topic, not a scientific assessment. Use it to get ideas, then decide for yourself.

You’ll then explore the selection of more than 30 fragrances. These are described as IFRA-certified, a useful reassurance that the materials meet an established fragrance-industry standard. You’ll have time to smell and compare options, with the instructor available to answer questions and suggest combinations.

The choice can feel wide at first. One practical approach is to notice which scents you keep returning to, rather than trying to make a list of every bottle you like. Instructors can help narrow the options and explain how different notes affect the finished fragrance. Past participants have valued being able to test combinations and revise them until they felt right.

The blending stage is where the lesson becomes personal. You choose a direction, work with the fragrance notes, and make a formula with guidance on the proportions. Some descriptions of the process refer to the three levels of perfume mixing, and the class explains how layers affect the finished scent. The goal is not to memorize a perfumer’s technical vocabulary. It is to understand enough to make choices with confidence.

Expect to spend time smelling, comparing, and adjusting. That is the heart of the workshop, and it is why a patient instructor matters. Cam, Doli, Audrey, and other instructors have been praised for offering clear explanations and hands-on suggestions. If you have a particular scent in mind, say so. If you have no idea where to start, say that too.

Once you’re happy with the formula, your custom perfume goes into a 10ml bottle. The bottle and packaging are included, so you leave with a finished keepsake rather than just the experience of making it. The small size is easy to carry and makes a thoughtful gift, though it is not a large supply of perfume for daily use.

What the 10ml bottle is worth

The stated starting price is from US$19.40, while the package details also show a starting price of US$22.05 per person. Prices can vary, so check the amount shown for your date and booking option before paying. The included materials, instruction, and packaged 10ml bottle make the value easier to judge than a bare class fee.

You’re paying for more than the bottle. The workshop gives you a guided introduction to fragrance, a chance to experiment with a broad set of scents, and help turning your preferences into a formula. If you’ve wondered why some perfumes feel fresh, warm, or layered, you’ll leave with a more practical understanding than you would get from browsing a shop counter.

The keepsake is part of the appeal, but don’t assume the included bottle is the only size available. Some participants have chosen to buy larger bottles afterward, and additional purchases cost extra. You are not required to spend more to complete the workshop.

Same pricing applies to all ages. That makes the cost straightforward for families, though children aged 8 to 11 must attend with an adult. Participants aged 12 and up can take part on their own.

A calm indoor stop in Thao Dien

The workshop takes place at NOTE – The Scent Lab, 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. The setting has been described as comfortable and air-conditioned, a welcome break from the city’s heat. The studio also has a pleasant interior, making the activity feel more like a focused class than a quick stop at a retail counter.

Plan the trip carefully. Thao Dien is outside the most central part of the city, and the address has been difficult for some people to find. Check your route before leaving and give yourself a buffer. The session is time-based, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable.

Groups can range from one to 40 participants. A larger group may mean less individual attention at any given moment, though instructors are described as moving around to help participants and check that they are satisfied with their blends. If you want a quiet, one-to-one consultation, this is a group workshop, not a private perfumery appointment.

The class suits solo visitors, couples, friends, and families. Going alone works well because the activity is structured and gives you something to focus on. Couples can compare how different people respond to the same scents, while friends can make the process social without needing any prior experience.

For children, the minimum age is 8. Younger participants in the eligible age range need an accompanying adult, and the fee is the same for all ages. The hands-on format can appeal to curious teens as well as adults. If you’re booking for a family, consider whether everyone in your group will enjoy spending time smelling and comparing fragrances.

What the strongest parts of the class get right

The best feature is the instructor’s role. You have many scents to choose from, but the task would be less satisfying without a guide who can explain how to combine them and help you refine the result. Several instructors, including Cam and Doli, are noted for patient, clear support. That guidance is especially useful if you’re new to perfume.

The second strength is that you get to make real decisions. The personality quiz offers a prompt, but your nose has the final say. You can explore different notes, ask questions, and keep adjusting until you’re happy with your formula. That balance between a guided lesson and personal choice is what makes the class feel like more than a standard souvenir activity.

It is also a genuinely useful introduction for beginners. You’ll learn about fragrance types and how layers contribute to a finished perfume, then put that information to use right away. You won’t leave trained as a professional perfumer, but you may come away better able to describe what you like and why.

There is one mild limit to keep in mind: the included product is 10ml. That is a compact memento, not a full-size bottle. If you fall in love with your scent and want more, ask about larger formats and any extra cost before you decide.

How to book the right session

Choose between the daily morning session, 10:00 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon session, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The voucher is valid only on the date and time specified, so make sure your plans leave room to reach Thao Dien without rushing. Bring the mobile voucher from the booking app and arrive on time.

Confirmation is normally sent within minutes. If it does not appear, contact customer support. Changes are allowed up to 24 hours before the activity, subject to the booking conditions; some promotional or pass-based bookings cannot be changed. A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time.

You may have the option to browse or buy additional products, but personal expenses and tips are not included. There is no need to budget for extra purchases to take part: your materials, perfume bottle, and packaging are part of the workshop.

Who should book the NOTE perfume class?

Book it if you want a creative, low-pressure activity that gives you something personal to take home. It is a particularly good fit for perfume fans, curious beginners, couples looking for a shared activity, and families with children aged 8 or older. You don’t need to know fragrance terms in advance; the instructor helps you learn as you go.

It is less suitable if your schedule is very tight or you want an activity close to central Ho Chi Minh City. The location takes planning, and the workshop needs a full session rather than a quick walk-in. Also keep your expectations in check: you’ll leave with a small custom perfume and a better grasp of scent blending, not a professional perfumer’s qualification.

For the right person, the value is in the combination of practical instruction and a personal result. If you like learning by doing, and don’t mind making a trip to Thao Dien, this is a worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours.

FAQ

How long does the perfume workshop take?

The workshop lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. The listed sessions run from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

What do I take home?

You take home a personalized 10ml perfume in a bottle with packaging. Materials and tools needed for the workshop are included.

How many fragrances can I choose from?

The workshop offers more than 30 fragrances described as IFRA-certified.

What languages are spoken during the class?

The workshop has an English- or Vietnamese-speaking guide.

Can children join?

Children aged 8 and older can join. Participants aged 8 to 11 must be accompanied by an adult, while those aged 12 and up can participate on their own. The same price applies to all ages.

Where is NOTE – The Scent Lab?

The meeting point is 34 Nguyen Duy Hieu, Thao Dien, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. Arrive on time, as late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.