Saigon Uncovered: 7 Best Areas to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

I’m an American expat living in Vietnam.

Before living in Phu Nhuan District, I lived in three other districts in Ho Chi Minh City: District 8, which is a very local district, rarely visited by tourists; District 7, one of my favorite districts, along the northern canal, facing District 4; and Thao Dien in District 2, which is a very popular enclave for expats and families.

In addition to where I’ve lived in the city, I’ve also been renting motorbikes on long-term deals since first coming to Vietnam in 2018. I like to explore the city and have ridden to most places of interest in Ho Chi Minh City. While the city is technically divided into 24 districts, not all of them are as interesting, worth visiting, convenient, or livable as others.

I have a pulse on the best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City because I live and explore here.

Here’s my Ho Chi Minh City travel guide. You’ll also need to know the best time to visit and how to get around HCMC. This article covers getting from HCMC airport to District 1. If you have any questions about visiting HCMC, ask me in my free Ho Chi Minh City travel planning Facebook group.

For other cities in Vietnam, I’ve written Where to Stay guides for Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.

Map of My Favorite Areas and Hotels in Saigon

Here’s a map of the areas and hotels I recommend in the guide. I’ve also added some of HCMC’s best attractions and things to do. You can view the full map here.

How to use this map: Ahoy! Click the arrow in the top left-hand corner to view the layers. I color-coded the map with my favorite areas in Saigon: District 1, District 3, District 2 (Thao Dien), and District 7 (Phu My Hung). The bed icons are some of my recommended hotels in each district. The black stars are attractions.

District 1

My Favorite Hotels in District 1

• 5-star: The Reverie Saigon
• 5-star: Fusion Original
• 4-star: Liberty Central
• 3-star: Oscar Saigon Hotel
• For families: New World
• Boutique: La Siesta Premium
• Riverside: Hotel Majestic

If you’ve never been to Ho Chi Minh City before, District 1 is the best area to stay for first-time visitors. Every time I’m in Saigon, I always stay in District 1 and use it as a base to visit apartments or explore the city. If nothing else, it’s a convenient area to get through the jet lag. All the hotels in my list above are in a great location in District 1.

More: 24 Best Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City: A Local’s Guide With Map

District 1 and nearby District 3 contain most of Saigon’s tourist attractions. If you only plan to visit for a few days or even a week, D1 or D3 are the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. They are the most convenient districts from which to start and get your bearings in Saigon and perhaps Vietnam for the first time. (More on District 3 next.)

Best Things to Do in District 1

At the head of Nguyen Hue Street is the Ho Chi Minh Statue. This particular area is a bit of a crossroads; heading in any direction will lead to something worth seeing at some point during your trip. Pick any direction and start wandering. There is a lot to see and admire when walking 10-15 minutes in any direction. Really.

The following list of attractions is not exhaustive. These are all within walking distance of the Ho Chi Minh Statue. Here’s my full guide to things to do in HCMC and sample itineraries for three days and one day in HCMC.

Every attraction link opens its location on Google Maps.  

People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. This yellow, French colonial-style building is directly behind the Ho Chi Minh Statue and serves as the present-day city hall. It makes an excellent backdrop for photos of the statue.

Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. The opera house is east of the statue, floating on an island by itself in the middle of the road. It is surrounded by many of the city’s best hotels and is an ultra-convenient location for a short stay.

Japan Town. This little area is about a 10-minute walk from the statue and opera house and has several of Ho Chi Minh City’s best Japanese ramen restaurants.

Saigon Zoo & Botanical Garden. The zoo is along the river, bordering Binh Thanh District.

Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon. This building is one of the most photographed in Saigon and is probably the one you’ve seen pictures of when planning your visit. Unfortunately, most of the building is currently covered in scaffolding, as it’s been under renovation for the last few years. The estimated completion was extended to 2027.

Saigon Central Post Office. This building, built between 1886 and 1891, is right next to the cathedral. Here’s my article on visiting the Saigon Central Post Office.

Ho Chi Minh City Book Street. A cool little street lined with small bookshops next to the cathedral and post office. Cutting through here should be part of your walk at some point. This article covers visiting HCMC Book Street.

Independence Palace. This is sometimes called the Reunification Palace. It’s southwest of the cathedral and post office, which is good because you want to walk towards it from this direction to fully admire the area leading up to it. Here’s my guide to visiting the palace.

April 30th Park. This area is a nice, open green space split by three roads separating the Independence Palace and the Notre Dame Cathedral. I love driving my motorbike through here, and I often pull off at one of the nearby coffee shops and people-watch.

Tao Dan Park. This huge park is located in District 1. It’s a good place to be surrounded by greenery in the city’s downtown. Cyclo tours often ride through here.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts. A popular and really laid-back museum with a 30.000 VND entrance fee. It’s across the road from Ben Thanh Market. I’ve covered more museums in HCMC here.

The Saigon Skydeck. An observation area on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower in downtown District 1. Here’s my guide to visiting the Skydeck.

3 Best Areas and Hotels in District 1

District 1 has three distinct areas worth staying in, depending on your travel interests. The first two, Nguyen Hue Street/Dong Khoi Street and the Ben Thanh area, are good for every type of traveler. This is where I stay. It’s very central and has a mix of all kinds of hotels.

The third area, Bui Vien, is known mainly for partying. There are a lot of budget hotels and hostels. More on these areas below.

1. Nguyen Hue & Dong Khoi Street

My Favorite Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Street Hotels

• 5-star: The Reverie Saigon
• 5-star: The Myst Dong Khoi
• 4-star: Hotel Continental
• 3-star: Huong Sen Hotel
• Riverside: Hotel Majestic

Nguyen Hue Street and its surroundings are popular tourist areas in District 1. Staying in or around Nguyen Hue Street or the adjacent Dong Khoi Street will provide easy access to the above attractions. 

Nguyen Hue Street’s two parts are split by a wide walking area, allowing for easy scene-admiring and slow-paced strolling. One of the more unique sights (that can come with coffee if you choose) is The Cafe Apartments. 

Nguyen Hue and the neighboring Dong Khoi Street are great to walk through during the day. At night, the area gets very busy with locals and tourists. The street or parts of it are sometimes closed to traffic for performances or shows. Nguyen Hue’s side streets, including Dong Khoi and Ho Tung Mau on the other side, are filled with all sorts of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and numerous accommodation options.

The Running Bean. This coffee shop has two locations in downtown District 1. The one linked is one of the best coffee shops in Saigon for remote work. There are a number of great tables of all sizes for solo work or to accommodate groups. 

The Workshop Coffee. Another popular downtown coffee spot with areas to work. It can sometimes get crowded because of its location.

Layla Eatery & Bar. A popular downtown bar that also serves great food. Drink prices are more than fair. 

Vietnam House. A great Vietnamese restaurant on Dong Khoi Street. The outside is a popular spot for photos.  

As I said, a great choice would be to base yourself in the vicinity of Nguyen Hue or Dong Khoi streets. Many of the best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are clustered right here, and there are many places to stay in the immediate area.

More: 20 Best Hotels in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City: A Local’s Guide With Map

Depending on when you’re traveling, some five-star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City can be had for around $100 USD per night.

The Park Hyatt Saigon, the Caravelle Saigon, and the Hotel Continental Saigon surround the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, arguably the city’s most central location

The Reverie Saigon is one of the most upscale hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s over-the-top fancy and located directly on Nguyen Hue Street. Behind it is The Myst Dong Khoi, a five-star hotel with more affordable rates that is also in a great location.

Here’s a video I filmed outside the Myst Dong Khoi — great location.

This leads us to the Saigon River. There are about six hotels on the river right here. Lotte Hotel Saigon is a five-star hotel with beautiful facilities and a huge outdoor pool. While still in the same great area, this hotel’s about a 12-minute walk from the Opera House area (because it’s down along the river).

Hotel Majestic Saigon is probably the best-located river hotel, while the Riverside Hotel nearby is a great budget option right on the river.

All of these hotels are very convenient. I’ve chosen the best from a variety of price points.

Best Luxury Hotels in Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Street
Park Hyatt Saigon • The Reverie Saigon • Caravelle Saigon • The Myst Dong Khoi

Best Saigon River Hotels
Lotte Hotel Saigon • Hotel Majestic • Riverside Hotel

Best-Located Mid-Range and Budget Hotels
Hotel Continental Saigon • Signature by M Village • Au Lac Charner Hotel • Oscar Saigon Hotel • Huong Sen Hotel

Best Hostel
Meander Saigon

2. Ben Thanh

My Favorite Ben Thanh Hotels

• 5-star: La Siesta Premium
• 4-star: Cochin Zen
• 4-star: Silverland Yen Hotel
• Budget: Calista Saigon Hotel
• For families: New World

Ben Thanh Market is an attraction in itself, but the area around it (Ben Thanh) is also a good place to stay. It is separate from the Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi areas, but accommodations here are cheaper and still very convenient.

If you want souvenirs, tees, sunglasses, or any variety of knockoffs, you’ll find them in and around the market. Most prices are negotiable. Be prepared to haggle. A great place to buy souvenirs without haggling is the Saigon Central Post Office. They have a lot of things, including cool postcards, which are all priced fairly.

Ha Tam Jewelers is one of the best money exchangers in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s right outside Ben Thanh Market. I go here every time I need to get or exchange Vietnamese Dong. You can learn more HCMC travel tips here and read about money and ATMs in Vietnam here.

I’m a frequent visitor to Little HaNoi Egg Coffee. They have some of the best egg coffee in Ho Chi Minh City. They also serve a good selection of brunch-related items. They have four locations in HCMC and one in Hoi An. Here are their locations.

There are two decent gyms in the area that are good for getting a workout in on your vacation. One is C’Gym (located here), which has day passes for 80.000 VND and weekly passes for 300.000 VND. The other (my preferred choice) is CLB Fitness T&V (located here), which has day passes for 90.000 VND. I’ve covered more HCMC gyms here.

Best Luxury Hotels in Ben Thanh Market Area
Fusion Original Saigon Centre • La Siesta Premium Saigon • New World Saigon

Best Mid-Range and Budget Hotels
Cochin Zen Hotel • Calista Saigon Hotel • Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel • Silverland Yen Hotel

Best Hostels in Ben Thanh
Vy Da Backpacker Hostel • Vy Da Central Market Hostel

3. Bui Vien Walking Street

Best Bui Vien Area Hotels and Hostels

• 5-star: Pullman Saigon Centre
• Budget/location: Vien Dong
• Budget: Duc Vuong Saigon
• Hostel: Long Hostel

Bui Vien Walking Street and its surrounding area are another popular location for visitors. This part of District 1 is about a 20-minute walk from the Ho Chi Minh Statue and Nguyen Hue Street. You’ll have to cross some busy roads to get here, but it’s doable. Many tourists choose to base themselves in Bui Vien instead of the Nguyen Hue area.

Bui Vien is known for its nightlife. It’s known for its hostels and backpackers. It’s known for its high concentration of bars and nightclubs. There are flashing neon lights, loud music, and parties up and down the main road and its alleys at night.

This area quickly becomes seedy at night, which I think is a poor reflection of an otherwise charming city. 

I don’t recommend staying here if you are not interested in the partying scene or being near it.

However, witnessing the loud, colorful, partying chaos that goes on in the area at night is at least something worth experiencing once. This can be done by staying elsewhere in the city and using the Grab app or walking.

More: Best Apps for Traveling in Vietnam

Many tour companies operate from this area, notably along Pham Ngu Lao Street. So, if you are part of a tour or are interested in taking one, you may find yourself in this area at some point.

As I said, many travelers do choose to base themselves here. I ride my motorbike near the Bui Vien area often, and it’s always filled with tourists, backpackers, and tourgoers. There are tons of places to eat and plenty of convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. There are several highly-rated mid-range and budget hotels and numerous popular hostels.

Paper Plate Pizza is a good spot to grab individual slices. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from the Bui Vien area.

Big Boss Bistro makes awesome subs. The Italian sub is a nice treat to find in Vietnam. The shop is on the second floor and is about an equal distance from both Bui Vien and Ben Thanh Market.

Best Luxury Hotel in Bui Vien
Pullman Saigon Centre

Best Budget Hotels in Bui Vien
Vien Dong Hotel • Chill Suites • Duc Vuong Saigon Hotel • Prague Hotel

Best Bui Vien Hostels
Long Hostel • The Like Hostel and Cafe • Vy Khanh Guesthouse • Alleyway Hostel

District 3

My Favorite Hotels in District 3

• 5-star: Hôtel des Arts Saigon
• 5-star: Mai House Saigon
• 4-star: Au Lac Legend
• 3-star: Aristo Saigon
• For families: Sherwood Suites
• Best pool: La Vela Saigon

District 3 is largely bordered by District 1, so you can easily walk between the two. You might even do so without realizing it.

I personally like District 3 better than District 1. Its smaller streets have more trees, and car traffic is slower. The sidewalks are more fun to wander, and there are many little nooks to discover for coffee and food.

The sidewalks feel much cozier, especially with the trees, compared to District 1, where sometimes you can’t get out of the sun. It is also less chaotic than District 1. 

Plus, you can walk to the best attractions in D1 and D3 when you stay here. 

Best Things to Do in District 3

War Remnants Museum. This museum is one of the most popular attractions in Saigon. It’s in a very convenient area and easily accessible from District 3 and District 1. Tickets are 40.000 VND. Here’s my guide to visiting the War Remnants Museum.

Turtle Lake. This is a very interesting structure in the middle of a roundabout, near several hotels, food, and coffee shops. If you’re wandering around D3, you’ll undoubtedly end up here at some point. 

Tan Dinh Church. This pink church was built during the French colonial period and was finished in 1876. This is a very popular spot to take photos. 

Le Van Tam Park. A popular park for exercise near Tan Dinh Church. It gets busy in the evenings. (Vietnamese locals like to exercise early in the morning or in the evening/night when it’s cooler.)

Southern Women’s Museum. This free museum showcases Vietnamese women throughout history, including fashion and their role in the war. There is an exhibit entirely devoted to the áo dài.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. A Buddhist temple in the back of District 3. Entry is free, but you may need to cover exposed legs and shoulders to enter.

Best Places to Stay in District 3

Keep in mind that if you stay in certain parts of District 3, you can easily walk to all of the attractions mentioned in the District 1 section above: Nguyen Hue, Dong Khoi, and Ben Thanh Market. It’ll take about 15-20 minutes, but it’s a good, enjoyable walk. Here’s my guide to hotels in District 3.

The hotels below are all in very good locations in District 3. Victory Hotel is a budget hotel three minutes from the War Remnants Museum. The Mai House Saigon (pictured above) is a luxury hotel five minutes from the museum.

The Au Lac Legend is a solid choice, and it’s in a great area right on the border between District 3 and District 1.

The La Vela Saigon is one of the most popular hotels in Ho Chi Minh City. Its rooftop views are unmatched in the area. It’s in the back of District 3 but closer to Tan Dinh Church (a 10-minute walk) and about 20 minutes from the War Remnants Museum. It’s also far more cost-effective than other five-star hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Hôtel des Arts Saigon and the Orchids Saigon Hotel are less than a 10-minute walk from the museum. It really comes down to which hotel suits you best because all of these hotels are in great locations in District 3. And as I’ve said, the district is very walkable, and the walks are enjoyable.

Gym One is a nice gym in District 3, but it has a more expensive day pass (200.000 VND) and no weekly pass option compared to the gyms mentioned above in District 1.

Best Luxury Hotels in District 3
Hôtel des Arts Saigon • Mai House Saigon • La Vela Saigon Hotel

Best Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in District 3
Sherwood Suites • Orchids Saigon Hotel • Au Lac Legend Hotel • Victory Hotel Saigon • Aristo Saigon Hotel

District 2 (Thao Dien)

My Favorite Thao Dien Hotels

• 5-star: Mia Saigon
• 4-star: Amanaki Thao Dien
• For families: Glenwood City
• Budget: Common Inn

District 2 is one of the bigger districts in Ho Chi Minh City, but it’s known for a small area called Thao Dien. I lived in Thao Dien for a few months.

This little pocket is home to many great local and international restaurants, cafes, and bars. Because of the many international schools based directly in Thao Dien, the area caters to international travelers, expats, and their families.

The busiest/most popular roads are Thao Dien and Xuan Thuy. Xuan Thuy, in particular, is a long stretch of restaurants, fine dining, bars, and cafes.

Thao Dien is very walkable. You could base yourself here and not need a motorbike. Plus, ordering a Grab is very convenient and affordable. GrabBike rides within Thao Dien shouldn’t cost more than 25.000 VND (less than $1 USD) per trip. 

There are probably hundreds of restaurants and cafes in this relatively tiny area. I live in Ho Chi Minh City and haven’t even scratched the surface of places to eat in Thao Dien.

Where to Eat in Thao Dien 

Some of my personal favorite places to eat or grab coffee in Thao Dien:

Bep Vo Kitchen. I’ve probably eaten here close to 100 times. It’s laid back, and the food is great, healthy, and well-priced for the area. The inside is air-conditioned, and there’s an outside patio.

Eddie’s Diner. I know what you’re thinking: an American diner, really? Sometimes, you just need a hearty, well-cooked meal. Everything I’ve tried at Eddie’s is excellent, and the portions are huge. Eddie’s has locations in Thao Dien, District 1, and District 7. Here’s my review of eating at Eddie’s.

365° Napoli Pizza. They make their own mozzarella cheese and dough. Tuesdays have a 50% discount on pizza — but it will be crowded. I’ve written about other pizza places in HCMC here.

Whatever Cafe. A small coffee shop down a dead-end alley with excellent homemade cold-brew coffee.

Simple Place. A popular Mexican food joint in Thao Dien. I sometimes grab a quick quesadilla or burrito here.

Bonjour Cafe The Art. This coffee shop is worth visiting just for the interior design. I’ve never seen anything like it in a coffee shop or anywhere else.

If you need a haircut, ĐẬM – Men’s Hair Studio is one of the best barbers in Ho Chi Minh City, and it’s in Thao Dien. Several of the staff speak fluent English. Each has some sort of specialty. Highly recommend.

Grocery Stores in Thao Dien

The following supermarkets are great for short- or long-term stays. I’ve personally shopped many times at all three, but visit the Mega Market most often.

Mega Market An Phu. This is outside Thao Dien, across the highway. I included it because it’s one of my favorite bigger supermarkets in all of Ho Chi Minh City. It’s similar to a Costco, Sam’s Club, Metro, etc.

An Phu Supermarket. One of my personal favorite supermarkets inside Thao Dien. It’s not the biggest, nor does it have the most variety, but it’s by far the quietest. I am always in and out with ease here. 

Tops Market. This supermarket is inside Thao Dien, and it’s a full-service grocery. 

Gyms in Thao Dien

Thao Dien is also home to several gyms and boutique fitness studios:

CrossFit Thao Dien. They have several different class packages, including drop-ins if you’re only visiting.

BODY SHAPE. This is a more traditional gym than CrossFit’s class-style gym. 

California Fitness & Yoga. This gym and Elite Fitness below will be better suited for long-term stays, as you’ll get far better pricing. 

Elite Fitness. The pricing will be better with long-term stays, but Elite and California Fitness above have more amenities than other gyms in the area.

Best Places to Stay in Thao Dien

Staying in Thao Dien for a short trip or renting an apartment long-term would be a great choice. It is very self-contained. Thao Dien’s downside is that it’s a bit far from the attractions of District 1 and District 3. It’d be about a 15-20 minute ride. 

Best Luxury Boutique Hotel
Mia Saigon

Best Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Thao Dien
Amanaki Thao Dien • Common Inn Thao Dien • Sen Boutique House • Mecozy Apartel • Glenwood City Resort

District 7 (Phu My Hung)

My Favorite Hotels & Apartments in District 7

• Boutique: Golden Tree Hotel
• Apartment/Hotel: Orchid Boutique
• For families: Oakwood

As I mentioned initially, District 7 is one of my favorite districts. A few years ago, I lived on the northernmost road, Tran Xuan Soan, along the canal facing District 4.

District 7 is better for long-term living than for a short visit. But don’t be mistaken, there are a lot of great restaurants, parks, and things to do in District 7, too, if you want a break from the busier parts of the city. I actually recommend coming down here just to check it out and see a different side of Saigon.

My personal fondness relates to living in District 7. This is a huge, entirely self-contained district. I prefer to live here long-term instead of Thao Dien in District 2 because it’s bigger. Thao Dien is smaller and can get old after living there for a while.

By far, the best area of District 7 is Phu My Hung — which is all the way south. It’s sometimes called “Korea Town” for its high population of Korean expats and tourists and the numerous Korean restaurants, stores, and businesses.

This southern part of District 7 is unlike anywhere else in Ho Chi Minh City. The roads are wider, everything feels more open, and the air is definitely cleaner. It has a slower pace of life and is much quieter than D1 and D3. 

Plus, it has all the amenities you’d ever need to live comfortably:

Lotte Mart. This is my favorite supermarket in Ho Chi Minh City. It’s a huge hybrid supermarket, with everything you would ever need for a short visit or to live long term. Besides the full grocery, the second floor is loaded with non-food items.

Saigon Sports Club. SSC is one of the nicest gyms in Ho Chi Minh City. It is not inside Phu My Hung but nearby. It is expensive, but it’s super nice.

Advance Fitness & Gym. This is another nice gym. It’s more affordable but lacks the shiny amenities of Saigon Sports Club. 

Crescent Mall. One of the best malls in Ho Chi Minh City. It has several floors and is very clean. The outside surrounding area is nice to explore as well. Very peaceful compared to D1 and D3.

SC VivoCity. Another shopping mall, up the road from Crescent Mall. It does the job, but it’s not nearly as nice as Crescent Mall.

Nam Vien Park. A nice, quiet park in a very peaceful area. It’s nice to escape the often-hectic city center and come down here to enjoy the breeze. Lots of great places to stop to eat as well.

Where to Eat in Phu My Hung

These are some of the best places to eat in and around Phu My Hung. However, like Thao Dien and Binh Thanh (Ward 19) below, there are countless great food places.

Jimmy’s New York Pizza. Excellent pizza, right next to Nam Vien Park. Here is my review of Jimmy’s on Google Maps.

Eddie’s Diner. The same deal as their locations in D1 and Thao Dien: huge portions of great food. I visit this location often because I like the Phu My Hung area it’s in.

Back’s Burger. Delicious, Korean-style hamburgers. 

Ms. Barun. A great Korean restaurant near Nam Vien Park.

Pho Dinh 3. Among the top pho restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City.

Best Places to Stay in Phu My Hung

Phu My Hung is home to several boutique hotels and serviced apartments. The cost per night is quite affordable compared to other districts. Plus, the area is loaded with Korean food.

I personally love it down here, but that’s because I like to get out of the busy parts of District 1 and District 3 to see a different side of Saigon.

Best Hotel/Apartment in Phu My Hung
Oakwood Residence Saigon

Best Boutique Hotels and Apartments
Golden Tree Hotel & Apartment • Orchid Boutique Hotel & Apartment • La Bonita Hotel & Apartments • Golden Star Apartment

Binh Thanh District

My Favorite Binh Thanh District Hotels

• 5-star: Vinpearl Landmark 81
• Boutique: Maison De Camille
• 3-star: The Bloom
• 3-star: YEN Living Binh Thanh

Binh Thanh District is known for the Landmark 81 skyscraper, the tallest building in Vietnam, and Vinhomes Central Park. Some of its wards (areas) are worth checking out because they provide a bit more of a local experience than staying in Districts 1 or 3.

Ward 22 is home to Vinhomes Central Park and the Landmark 81 skyscraper. This is the best park in Ho Chi Minh City. I sometimes do my evening runs here.

The Landmark 81 skyscraper has a mall on the lower levels, with a food court and movie theater, and apartments and a luxury hotel on the upper levels. The observation deck is on floors 79, 80, and 81.

The luxury hotel is the Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection (Agoda / Booking).

Ward 19 is also one of my favorite little areas. I frequently come here to eat. It has very local vibes mixed with great places to eat and wander. This would be a very cool place to stay, either short-term or long-term.

Ward 19 and Ward 17 across the way are both very walkable. I have looked at a few different condos here over the years. If I found a place I liked, I would live in Ward 17, Ward 19, or Ward 22 near Vinhomes.

District 1 and District 3 are not within walking distance of Binh Thanh. This area is very self-contained, but if you want to see the tourist attractions in D1 and D3, you’ll need to hire a taxi. You can use the Grab app to book a moto-taxi or a regular taxi. The trip to the center of District 1 is about 15 minutes.

If you stay in Binh Thanh, you would also be much closer to Thao Dien in District 2 if you wanted to hop over there for a visit.

Where to Eat in Binh Thanh

Sushi Nhi. An excellent spot for budget sushi. Budget sushi? Ok, economical sushi.

Oliver’s Pizza. Sicilian-style pizza and a good lunch combo.

Pickles Eatery. A very good restaurant with several unique dishes. 

Gringos Tacos y Cantina. A popular Mexican restaurant in Ward 19. 

I like certain parts of Binh Thanh because it’s slightly different and less crowded than District 1. The area over by Vinhomes Central Park is nice, too. It’s just not near the tourist attractions in D1 and D3, so you’d need to take a GrabBike or taxi if you want to see them. Doing so is easy, though, and you could base yourself near Vinhomes and easily visit D1 and D3 just to see the attractions.

Here’s a video I filmed from inside Vinhomes Central Park.

Best Places to Stay in Binh Thanh

There aren’t many hotels in Binh Thanh, but there are a few gems. Other than the luxury Vinpearl Landmark 81 hotel, some nice boutique hotels are in quiet parts of Binh Thanh. The area is very walkable, with many good food and coffee choices around.

Best Luxury Hotel in Binh Thanh
Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection

Best Boutique Hotels in Binh Thanh
YEN Living Binh Thanh • Maison De Camille Boutique Hotel • The Bloom Pham Viet Chanh