The saigon centre shopping malls in d1 complex — anchored by Takashimaya Department Store across six retail floors at 65 Le Loi Boulevard — is the single most convenient luxury and mid-tier shopping destination for foreign visitors staying in central Ho Chi Minh City, with over 250 international brands, a Japanese-standard supermarket, and direct walking access to the Ben Thanh Metro Station opening of Line 1. If you have one afternoon to combine air-conditioned comfort, authentic Vietnamese cafés, designer fashion, and a kid-friendly food court, this is where to go.
This 2026 guide walks you through everything — opening hours, the exact differences between Saigon Centre and Takashimaya, brand directories, food recommendations, payment tips, and how to combine your visit with other District 1 highlights.
Key Takeaways
- Location: 65 Le Loi Boulevard, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1 — 400 m from Ben Thanh Market and directly above Ben Thanh Metro Station (Line 1).
- Hours: 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM daily, including public holidays (Takashimaya closes 9:30 PM).
- Scale: 6 retail floors (B2–L5), 110,000 m² gross leasable area, 250+ brands including Hermès, Chanel Beauty, Uniqlo, MUJI, and Gucci.
- Best for: Foreign visitors seeking luxury, mid-market fashion, Japanese groceries, and a reliable air-conditioned lunch spot.
- Price range: Coffee from 65,000 VND (US$2.60); lunch sets 180,000–450,000 VND (US$7–18); luxury bags 30,000,000 VND+ (US$1,200+).
- Payment: All major cards accepted; VAT refund available for tourists over 2,000,000 VND per receipt.
Quick Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 65 Le Loi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC |
| Opening hours | 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM (daily) |
| Floors | Basement 2 – Level 5 (8 retail levels) |
| Anchor tenant | Takashimaya Department Store |
| Number of brands | 250+ |
| Best visit time | Weekday 10:30 AM or 3:00 PM (avoid weekends 6–9 PM) |
| Nearest metro | Ben Thanh Station (Metro Line 1, ~150 m) |
| Parking | B3–B4 (15,000 VND / US$0.60 per car-hour) |
| Currency accepted | VND, plus Visa/Mastercard/JCB/AMEX/Apple Pay |
| Tourist VAT refund | Yes, at ground-floor counter |
Why Saigon Centre Shopping Malls in D1 Dominate Foreign Visitor Itineraries
When international travelers ask local concierges for “one mall that does it all,” the answer is almost always Saigon Centre. The reasons are practical. First, it’s the only luxury-and-mid-tier hybrid mall sitting on the Ben Thanh roundabout — the historic geographic heart of District 1. Second, Takashimaya operates it to Japanese department-store standards: spotless restrooms, English-speaking staff, and prayer/feeding rooms on Level 4.
Third, the saigon centre shopping malls in d1 are the rare Saigon retail experience that genuinely welcomes wheelchairs, strollers, and elderly visitors. Wide elevators serve every floor, and the food court on Level 5 has both Western seating and tatami-style booths.
Compared to Vincom Center Dong Khoi (300 m east) and Diamond Plaza (1.2 km north), Saigon Centre wins on three measurable factors: brand depth (250+ vs ~180 at Vincom), restroom quality, and metro proximity. Vincom edges ahead only on entertainment density (it has a CGV cinema; Saigon Centre does not).
Sài Gòn Center Nằm ở Đâu? Exact Location and Getting There
Saigon Centre sits at 65 Le Loi Boulevard, on the corner where Le Loi meets Pasteur and Nam Ky Khoi Nghia streets. The official Ho Chi Minh City tourism portal lists it as a primary downtown landmark (visithcmc.vn), and it appears on every English-language city map.
From Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN): 7.5 km, 25–45 minutes by Grab (180,000–260,000 VND / US$7–10).
From Notre Dame Cathedral: 600 m on foot (8 minutes) along Pasteur Street.
From Ben Thanh Market: 400 m via Le Loi Boulevard (5 minutes walking).
By Metro Line 1 (operational since late 2024): Exit Ben Thanh Station via Exit 2 — you emerge directly onto the Saigon Centre forecourt. According to Vietnam News coverage of the line’s 2024 launch, this station handles 40,000+ daily passengers and has cut average commuter travel time from Suoi Tien to District 1 from 90 minutes to 29.
Most foreign visitors arrive on foot from nearby hotels — see our where to stay in District 1 guide for hotels and homestays within a 10-minute walk.
Sài Gòn Center Có Gì? Floor-by-Floor Brand Directory
Here’s what you’ll actually find inside the saigon centre shopping malls in d1, by floor:
Basement 2 (B2): Takashimaya Food Hall and Supermarket
The Japanese-style depachika basement is a foreign-visitor favorite. The Takashimaya Food Market sells imported wagyu, French wines (from 380,000 VND / US$15), fresh sashimi, and bento boxes prepared on-site. There’s an in-house bakery (try the matcha melonpan, 38,000 VND / US$1.50) and a Tully’s Coffee outlet.
Basement 1 (B1): Casual Dining and Beauty
B1 hosts MAC, Innisfree, Sulwhasoo, The Body Shop, and a string of casual eateries including Pho 24 and Highlands Coffee. This is the cheapest food zone in the building — a beef pho costs 65,000 VND (US$2.60).
Ground Floor (L1): Luxury Anchor Tenants
Hermès, Chanel Beauty, Dior Beauty, Christian Louboutin, and Tiffany & Co. occupy the prestige ground floor. The Hermès boutique here has a 6-month waiting list for Birkin bags — an open secret confirmed by Tatler Asia.
Levels 2–3: Mid-Market Fashion
Uniqlo (one of Vietnam’s three flagships), MUJI, Charles & Keith, ALDO, Pedro, and CK Jeans dominate. Uniqlo runs a Saigon-exclusive “Heattech to Airism” promo every November.
Level 4: Kids, Lifestyle, and Wellness
Pigeon, Mothercare, a play area, and a Japanese-imported toy section. There’s also a nursing room and a children’s hairdresser.
Level 5: Food Court and Restaurants
Forty-plus restaurants from Pepper Lunch (240,000 VND / US$9.50 set) to Sushi Tei (mid-tier omakase from 750,000 VND / US$30). The Lao Sze Chuan branch here was named one of the top hotpots in Saigon by foreign expat publications.
Sài Gòn Center Có Brand Gì? The 2026 Brand List
Foreign shoppers most often ask which specific international labels are present. As of June 2026, the saigon centre shopping malls in d1 host the following confirmed flagships:
Luxury: Hermès, Chanel Beauty, Dior Beauty, Christian Louboutin, Tiffany & Co., Gucci (accessories only), Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta (jewelry counter).
Premium: Coach, Michael Kors, Furla, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein.
Mid-market: Uniqlo, MUJI, Mango, Zara (across the street at the Saigon Centre Annex), H&M, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius.
Beauty: Sephora, MAC, Sulwhasoo, Laneige, Innisfree, Kiehl’s, Jo Malone, L’Occitane, Diptyque.
Vietnamese designers: Devon, TanMy Design, Catsa, Ivy Moda, Nem Fashion.
Watches and jewelry: Swatch, Daniel Wellington, PNJ, DOJI Jewelry, Citizen.
Electronics: FPT Shop, Samsung Experience Store, Apple authorized reseller (TopZone).
This brand depth makes the complex Vietnam’s third most valuable retail location by sales per square meter, according to Savills Vietnam’s 2025 Retail Report.
Takashimaya Khác Gì Saigon Centre? Understanding the Difference
This is the single most-asked question by both Vietnamese and foreign visitors, and the answer trips up almost everyone.
Saigon Centre is the building. Specifically, the 43-story mixed-use complex (Tower 2) developed by Keppel Land and partners. It includes offices, serviced apartments, and the retail podium.
Takashimaya is the anchor tenant inside Saigon Centre. Takashimaya Co., Ltd., a 195-year-old Osaka-based department store, leases six floors of the retail podium and operates them as a Takashimaya department store. Their portion alone covers 15,000 m².
In practice, when locals say “đi Takashimaya,” they mean shopping inside the Takashimaya-branded floors (which include Hermès, Chanel, the food hall, and the kids’ floor). When they say “đi Saigon Centre,” they may mean either the whole complex or the non-Takashimaya tenants (like Uniqlo and MUJI, which are technically separate leases on Levels 2–3).
Practical impact for foreign visitors: Receipts marked “Takashimaya” qualify for Takashimaya’s loyalty program; receipts marked “Saigon Centre” do not. For the 8% VAT tourist refund, both qualify — see Section 9 below.
When to Visit: Hours, Crowds, and Tourist Tips
Hours are 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM every day of the year, with Takashimaya closing at 9:30 PM. The mall stays open during Tet (Lunar New Year), though many tenants close on the first two days — confirmed by the official shopping.saigoncentre.com.vn calendar.
Best times for foreign visitors:
– Weekday 10:30–11:30 AM — empty, cool, full staff attention.
– Weekday 2:30–4:30 PM — escape the Saigon afternoon heat (33–35°C in dry season).
– Avoid: Saturday and Sunday 6:00–9:00 PM, when local families fill the food court and elevator wait times hit 15 minutes.
December and January see the heaviest crowds because of Christmas displays and Tet shopping. June and July are quietest. For more on Saigon’s weather patterns and timing your trip, see our best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City guide.
Eating at Saigon Centre: From 65,000 VND Pho to 1,200,000 VND Omakase
The saigon centre shopping malls in d1 cover every price point. Here’s a curated 2026 list of where foreign visitors actually return for second visits:
Budget (under 150,000 VND / US$6):
– Pho 24 (B1) — solid tourist-safe pho, 65,000 VND.
– Highlands Coffee (B1) — Vietnamese egg coffee, 55,000 VND.
– Tully’s Coffee (B2) — Japanese-chain pour-over, 75,000 VND.
Mid-range (150,000–400,000 VND / US$6–16):
– Pepper Lunch (L5) — DIY sizzling beef plates, 240,000 VND.
– Tokyo Deli (L5) — generous sushi sets, 320,000 VND.
– Pizza 4P’s Mini (L5) — the famous burrata pizza, 380,000 VND.
Premium (400,000+ VND / US$16+):
– Sushi Tei (L5) — chef’s omakase from 750,000 VND.
– Lao Sze Chuan (L5) — Sichuan hotpot for 2, 1,400,000 VND.
– Morico Japanese (L5) — wagyu shabu-shabu, 1,200,000 VND.
For more food in the neighborhood, our District 1 food guide covers what’s worth leaving the air-conditioning for.
Payments, VAT Refunds, and Foreigner-Specific Tips
Every store inside the saigon centre shopping malls in d1 accepts Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and AMEX. Apple Pay and Samsung Pay work at 90%+ of tenants. Cash is accepted everywhere but is not the cheapest option — credit cards give better FX rates than the in-mall currency exchange counters.
VAT refund for tourists: Vietnam refunds 8% VAT on purchases over 2,000,000 VND (US$80) from a single retailer in a single day. Procedure:
- Ask the store cashier for a “VAT refund invoice” (hoá đơn hoàn thuế) at point of sale — show your passport.
- Collect all stamped invoices before leaving the country.
- Process the refund at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, after customs — refund counters are in the international departures area.
This is confirmed by the General Department of Vietnam Customs regulations. Allow 30 minutes extra at the airport.
ATMs and currency exchange: B1 hosts Vietcombank and ACB ATMs (200,000–3,000,000 VND withdrawals). The official Sacombank exchange counter on L1 offers tourist-grade rates — better than airport, slightly worse than gold-shop money changers near Ben Thanh.
Combining Saigon Centre with Other District 1 Highlights
The mall sits at the perfect midpoint for a half-day itinerary. A typical foreign visitor combination:
- Morning: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office (15-minute walk north).
- Lunch: Saigon Centre Level 5 food court.
- Afternoon shopping: Takashimaya floors and Uniqlo.
- Evening: Ben Thanh Night Market (just across the roundabout) or Bui Vien walking street.
For a full multi-day plan, see our 4-day Saigon itinerary, which uses Saigon Centre as a Day 2 lunch and refuel point. If you’re traveling with kids, our things to do with kids in Ho Chi Minh City guide walks through the Level 4 play areas and stroller-friendly elevators.
FAQ: Saigon Centre Shopping Malls in D1
Where is Saigon Centre located in District 1?
Saigon Centre is at 65 Le Loi Boulevard, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City — on the corner of Le Loi and Pasteur Street, 400 meters from Ben Thanh Market and directly above Ben Thanh Metro Station. It’s a 5-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral and a 25-minute Grab ride from Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
What brands does Saigon Centre have?
Saigon Centre hosts over 250 brands across 6 retail floors. Luxury anchors include Hermès, Chanel Beauty, Dior, and Tiffany & Co. Mid-market favorites are Uniqlo, MUJI, Mango, Zara, and H&M. Beauty brands include Sephora, Sulwhasoo, and Jo Malone. There are also 40+ restaurants on Level 5 and a Japanese-style supermarket in Basement 2.
What does Saigon Centre have to offer visitors?
Saigon Centre offers six retail floors of shopping, a Japanese department store (Takashimaya), a basement food hall, 40+ restaurants on Level 5, a children’s play area on Level 4, nursing rooms, prayer rooms, a Sacombank currency exchange, and direct metro access. It’s the only District 1 mall combining luxury, mid-tier, groceries, and dining in one air-conditioned location.
How is Takashimaya different from Saigon Centre?
Saigon Centre is the 43-story mixed-use building; Takashimaya is the Japanese department store that anchors six floors of its retail podium. When locals say “go to Takashimaya,” they mean the Takashimaya-branded floors with Hermès, Chanel, and the kids’ section. Saigon Centre also houses separately-leased tenants like Uniqlo and MUJI on Levels 2–3.
Is Saigon Centre worth visiting for tourists?
Yes — for foreign visitors short on time, Saigon Centre is the most efficient single stop in District 1. You get luxury shopping, mid-market fashion, Vietnamese coffee, a Japanese supermarket, English-speaking staff, and reliable air conditioning under one roof. The 8% VAT refund for tourists on purchases over 2,000,000 VND adds further value.
Does Saigon Centre have a cinema?
No. Unlike Vincom Center Dong Khoi (300 m east) or Diamond Plaza, Saigon Centre does not house a cinema. The nearest cinemas are the CGV Vincom Dong Khoi (5-minute walk) and the BHD Star Vincom 3/2 (3 km away in District 10).
Stay Where the Shopping (and Everything Else) Is
If you want to walk to the saigon centre shopping malls in d1 in under 10 minutes — and to Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Saigon River in under 15 — base yourself in central District 1. Saigon Homestay’s curated District 1 properties put you within stroller distance of every landmark covered in this guide, with traveler-friendly check-in, English-speaking hosts, and prices from 800,000 VND (US$32) per night.
Browse our District 1 homestays →
Last updated: June 5, 2026. Prices verified at the mall and on official tenant menus. Hours confirmed with Saigon Centre management.
Staying in Saigon?
We host furnished apartments in District 1 — studios up to two-bedroom lofts, for stays from three nights to six months. See the apartments or check availability and book direct with us.
When to Skip Saigon Centre
Skip Saigon Centre if you came to Vietnam for cheap shopping. Prices here are international retail: the same brands cost roughly what they cost at home, and the food court starts around 65,000 VND for pho. Bargain hunters do better at Ben Thanh Market or Saigon Square, both under a 10-minute walk away. Avoid Saturday and Sunday afternoons entirely, when the escalators queue and the top-floor restaurants stop taking walk-ins.
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- Ben Thanh Market: What to Buy, Prices & Tips
- Saigon 3-Day Itinerary: The Perfect First-Timer Plan (2026)