Aroused @ The Muse

THE MUSE / NANG
Room 209, 181 Dong Khoi, Dist 1 HCMC

On the main street of Dong Khoi, left of the Continental hotel is a row of 'tourist friendly-ready to slaughter-able to bargain' shop fronts with a pseudo modern arcade sandwiched between. "This is the Muse??" I hear you asking. God no!

For a taste of The Muse, you need to look deeper. Within the walls of these shops lie passages to rooms on several floors. Look for 'Mi Silk' out front and walk straight towards a staircase waiting at the back. It's like walking into a brothel only to find a stairway leading you back to an 18th century museum…right after war.
Walking up 2 flights of these somewhat charming stairs will lead you to a pathway with rooms on either side. The feeling of misadventure might strike you right about now as you wonder if you might have stepped into the twilight zone.

Don't fret.

The first door to your right lives…The Muse.

Ring the doorbell and walk into a romance. Immediate recollection of the Wong Kar Wai movie, 2046 comes into play as graphic patterned curtains intertwine with floral decorum amidst deep brown wood and unpolished french tiles. The appearance of our 'Muse' is a matter of chance, more likely to be rustling under the covers of new fabrics than greeting guests at her room. If you do meet her however, it will be obvious.

"Like a lady-in-waiting, she appears from behind the desk where a sewing machine has been replaced by a swanky new notebook. Her well buckled belt captioning her hips as it sways to greet you hello."


Her soft muffled smile, over a firm confident speak leads your gaze toward her treasure. Rows of bold floral printed summer dresses, chiffon lace trimmed gowns, assortment of mix-n-match skirts, scarfs, bags, hats, shoes, sunglasses and accessories to complete your wardrobe. All single pieces, designed and made to make your presence felt, be it walking on the streets of Saigon or at a couture show in Paris.


You start to take in the subtleties of the room, as you begin to gather the breath of her work. From the pop-art paintings to an upper-deck bed stretched over the changing room, you really get a feeling you've not only walked into a boutique but stepped into the life and passion of…The Muse.