I like District 3 in Ho Chi Minh City enough that it deserves its own list of places to stay. District 1 is the city’s most touristy area, but sometimes I prefer staying near these areas rather than inside them.
Certain parts of District 3 are close enough to District 1 that you can stay here instead and easily see Ho Chi Minh City’s best attractions. Plus, District 3 is a bit more laid-back than District 1. More trees and greenery line the roads, most of which are walkable. Overall, it’s a much more pleasant area to wander compared to the hectic parts of District 1.
🏨 Mai House Saigon (see on Agoda / Booking): a great 5-star hotel in a quieter area of District 3, but still convenient and walkable
🏨 Au Lac Legend (see on Agoda / Booking): this mid-range hotel is on the border of District 3 and District 1, a great and busier location
🌟 The Saigon Airport Fast-Track Service will allow you to skip the immigration lines (sometimes 2+ hours) after arriving
I know about these hotels because I’ve lived in HCMC for years. I know their exact areas, how convenient the location is, what attractions or things to do are nearby, and if there’s easy food and drinks locally.
If you’re planning your HCMC trip, this guide covers the best time to visit. Here are the best things to do in HCMC. I’ve also written one-day and three-day itineraries for HCMC. This guide covers getting your Vietnam SIM card.
For more info on hotels and areas besides District 3, here’s my guide to the best areas to stay in HCMC.
Map of My Favorite District 3 Hotels
The map below highlights the hotels mentioned in this guide. I’ve also included some Ho Chi Minh City attractions to see their proximity to the hotels. 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. The purple bed icons are my favorite hotels in District 3. The yellow stars are some (just some) of the nearby attractions.
Sherwood Suites
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The 5-star Sherwood Suites is the sister hotel of the Sherwood Residence (up next). These two hotels are right behind each other. The Sherwood Suites are nicer, newer…and more expensive!
Both the Sherwood Suites (see on Agoda / Booking) and the Sherwood Residence (see on Agoda / Booking) are great choices for travelers in larger groups because the rooms are larger and have full kitchens and couches. There is a covered swimming pool at the Sherwood Suites. Also, there’s a kids’ playroom with a good amount of toys. If you’re a small family, and the hotel is in your budget, this would be one of the better hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
Rooms here start at about 2.600.000 VND for the 56 m2 Studio. They go up to over 6.000.000 VND per night for the Grand Suite, which is 118 m2 with two separate bedrooms.
Regarding location: for both the Sherwood Suites AND the Sherwood Residence, it’s about seven minutes to the War Remnants Museum, 10 minutes to the Independence Palace, and 12 minutes to the area with the Notre Dame Cathedral, HCMC Book Street, and the Saigon Central Post Office.
Sherwood Residence
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Sherwood Residence is one of the more popular hotels in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, for anyone wanting multiple bedrooms. It is consistently brought up in my HCMC travel planning group on Facebook.
The Sherwood Residence (see on Agoda / Booking) is a bit older than the Sherwood Suites above, but I’ve heard nothing but great reviews from travelers. Also, the Sherwood Residence only has two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments, while the Sherwood Suites has smaller rooms available.
Like the Sherwood Suites, the Sherwood Residence is also a good choice for families or larger groups. The swimming pool at the Sherwood Residence is partially covered, and it’s bigger than the pool at Sherwood Suites (which is fully covered).
Rooms at the Sherwood Residence start around 2.500.000 VND for the Two Bedroom Premier, which is 82 m2.
Au Lac Legend
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Au Lac Legend benefits from being in District 3, but it’s directly on the border with District 1. You can walk to the War Remnants Museum (District 3) in less than 10 minutes. The Independence Palace (District 1) is less than five minutes away.
And the Notre Dame Cathedral, HCMC Book Street, and the Saigon Central Post Office (District 1) are all less than 10 minutes away.
Rooms at the Au Lac Legend (see on Agoda / Booking) start at less than 2.000.000 VND per night.
T-Ritz Saigon Hotel (Citadines)
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The T-Ritz Saigon Hotel & Apartment (formerly the Citadines Regency Saigon) is located in what I would call the heart of District 3. This area of District 3 is highly walkable. The sidewalks and streets have a slightly slower pace, plus they’re lined with trees and more greenery than most of District 1.
There is a lot to discover within walking distance of the T-Ritz. One of my favorite pizza places in Ho Chi Minh City, Pizza & Bia, is right next door. Turtle Lake is a cool structure situated in a roundabout with a lot going on. This is less than five minutes away.
I filmed this video outside the T-Ritz (Citadines) Hotel.
The War Remnants Museum is less than 10 minutes away. The Independence Palace in District 1 is about 12 minutes away, as are the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office.
Personally, I like this location. It is not in the city’s hectic area, but a short walk to each attraction. It offers good value for the money. I like wandering to the busy areas, checking them out, seeing the museums or attractions, and then retreating to a quieter hotel after I’ve explored. Many hotels in District 3 are like this: action-adjacent, quiet retreats.
If you plan to explore outside the immediate area, I recommend using the Grab app to get around (download it here). You can add your credit or debit card, or pay entirely with cash. I use it daily for food delivery, too. Read more about getting around Ho Chi Minh City.
Rooms at the T-Ritz Saigon Hotel & Apartment can be had for around $80 per night.
Hôtel des Arts Saigon, MGallery Collection
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Hotel des Arts Saigon is one of the best luxury boutique hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
The other great boutique hotels are Mia Saigon in District 2, La Siesta Premium in District 1, and the Mai House Saigon Hotel (mentioned next).
Hotel des Arts is in a fantastic location in District 3, within short walking distance of the city’s best attractions. The city’s energy is right outside the hotel, yet it still provides a quiet place to retreat after exploring Saigon.
It’s 10 minutes from the War Remnants Museum, seven minutes from the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Saigon Central Post Office, and eight minutes from the Independence Palace. This area of the city is highly walkable.
The Hotel des Arts Saigon has a rooftop bar, the Social Club, and an infinity pool with great city views. This is a very nice luxury hotel.
Mai House Saigon Hotel
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Mai House Saigon Hotel in District 3 is another luxury boutique hotel in a great location, offering excellent value for the money.
The hotel is on a quieter street, and the surrounding area is very walkable. The War Remnants Museum is less than five minutes away. The Independence Palace is 10 minutes away, while the Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Post Office are about 15 minutes away.
The hotel has a 24/7 fitness center, spa, sauna, and outdoor pool.
Afternoon High Tea is offered every day from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. There are afternoon tea packages: Mai House High Tea: 850.000+ VND/set for 2 guests (including Tea/Coffee), and Royal High Tea: 1.450.000+ VND/set for 2 guests (including Tea/Coffee & Sparkling Wine Bottle).
This is a very nice boutique hotel, like the Hotel des Arts Saigon above. These are the two best options if you’re looking for a luxury boutique hotel in District 3.
Mai House Saigon Hotel rooms cost around $130 per night.
G8 Diamond Hotel Saigon
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The G8 Diamond Hotel is a well-located budget hotel in District 3. It is within easy walking distance of many of the best attractions in District 1 and District 3.
The hotel is less than five minutes from the War Remnants Museum. It’s about six minutes from the Independence Palace. It’s less than 10 minutes from the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon and the Saigon Central Post Office. It’s in a great location, yet not exactly in the chaos of other centrally-located hotels in HCMC.
The G8 offers a nice buffet breakfast and a full-service spa on site. Hotel guests receive good discounts on massages. The spa also has a jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.
Rooms at the G8 Hotel can be had for around $40 per night.
Victory Hotel Saigon
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Victory Hotel Saigon is an excellently located three-star budget hotel in District 3. Because of its location, price, and history dating back to 1968, it is one of the more popular hotels in District 3. But I have to reiterate: it is budget and local.
The War Remnants Museum is less than three minutes away. Plus, the Independence Palace in District 1 is about six minutes away. Here are the directions from the hotel to the palace.
I filmed this video outside the Victory Hotel in D3.
The hotel has an in-house Vietnamese restaurant, the Hong Ha Restaurant, a lobby bar, and Victory Restaurant and Coffee, which is attached to the hotel right out front. There is also a breakfast buffet, a gym, and an outdoor pool on the 6th Floor.
This budget hotel is in a great location in District 3. Rooms at the Victory Hotel Saigon go for around $30 per night.
La Vela Saigon Hotel
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The La Vela Saigon is one of Saigon’s most popular five-star hotels.
It has Ho Chi Minh City’s biggest and best rooftop infinity pool, and its views are among the best in the city. This hotel is a great choice for families or travelers with kids. The hotel is huge, and there’s plenty to keep the family occupied.
If you just want to check out the pool and rooftop views, La Vela offers a pool day pass for 350.000 VND for adults and 250.000 VND for children.
On the downside, the hotel’s location is a bit further from the city’s best attractions compared to the Hotel des Arts Saigon or the Mai House Saigon Hotel above.
The War Remnants Museum is about a 20-minute walk away. It’s a bit further from there to other attractions, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Saigon Central Post Office, and the Independence Palace.
Keep in mind, though, that this isn’t a bad or boring walk at all. District 3 is nicer to stroll through than District 1. There are a lot more trees and greenery lining the roads.
You can totally base yourself at La Vela, have access to the pool and facilities, and easily walk to the attractions.
The La Vela Saigon has three in-house restaurants, a sky bar and lounge, a 24/7 fitness center, and a spa. It also has an on-site movie theater. Rooms here start around $120 per night.
Bach Suites Saigon
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Bach Suites Saigon is a nice four-star boutique hotel in a great location in District 3. It is directly in front of a roundabout with Turtle Lake in the center.
I filmed this video outside the Bach Suites and Turtle Lake.
From this area, you can walk to all the best attractions in District 3 (the War Remnants Museum) and District 1 (Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon). The War Remnants Museum is seven minutes away, while the Notre Dame Cathedral and the other attractions nearby are an eight-minute walk.
The Bach Suites Saigon is in a nice little area of District 3. Rooms here can go for around $100 per night.
Orchids Saigon Hotel
Address: Google Maps • Hotel Website
The Orchids Saigon Hotel is a four-star hotel on Pasteur Street in District 3. It is actually right around the corner from the Bach Suites Saigon above. This is a great location.
This is a very popular hotel, and rooms are often booked well in advance. This boutique hotel has only 39 rooms.
There is a coffee lounge, a ground-floor restaurant, and a 9th-floor restaurant. The pool is indoor but has open windows and is airy.
The Orchids Saigon Hotel is a five-minute walk to the War Remnants Museum, seven minutes from the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Saigon Central Post Office, and six minutes from the Independence Palace (Reunification Hall).
Rooms at the Orchids Saigon Hotel start around $100 per night.
