Districts in Saigon & Best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Understanding the districts in Saigon

NEW UPDATE FROM JULY 2025

This content was added in May 2025.

Please note that that will be a BIG CHANGE since July 2025: all Ho Chi Minh City Districts will be changed into Wards. There will be no longer “Districts”. Please read the new article instead of this one:

From July 2025: No More Ho Chi Minh Districts!

About

Before we go into the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for Vietnam travelers, it is best to understand the overall knowledge of Saigon districts so that you can understand and choose your own best place to stay. The sad truth is: Almost all of the articles/ blogs on the internet show the wrong map of Saigon districts.

Some surprising facts that you may need to know:

• There used to be 24 districts in Ho Chi Minh City, but since there are only 22 districts (due to District 2, District 9, and Thu Duc District being merged into Thu Duc City)
• Cu Chi is not only the name of a popular war tunnel system, but also a district in Ho Chi Minh City
• The best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City may depend on travelers’ interests and activities, some of the further way districts turn out to be much better than the normally recommended ones
• Districts with the number next to each other do not mean they are close geographically.
• Districts with numbers do not mean they are in the center of the city

*Disclaimer: in this article, we will only analyze the best places (districts) to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for Vietnam travelers. It may not suit expats or locals. For hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, we will have another detailed article. Please follow us for more incoming updates. 

List of districts in Saigon

Here is the list of Saigon districts that you may want to have a look at to figure out your best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City:

 

Ho Chi Minh City District Map

2. The best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City (for travelers) ranking from top to bot

District 1

District 1 is the top #1 area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City if you are travelers – the bustling city center and the beating heart of Saigon. Here, you’ll find iconic landmarks such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the historic Reunification Palace. This area is known for its vibrant nightlife, numerous shopping options, and a wide range of dining choices, from street food stalls to upscale restaurants.

Here are some frequently asked questions about staying in District 1:

How long does it take from SGN airport to District 1?

District 1 is about 9 kilometers away from Tan Son Nhat Airport, which will take 20-40 minutes depending on the traffic.

What are the attractions in and near District 1?

As the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 is an easy place to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Saigon Opera House, Jade Emperor Pagoda,… and a lot of other landmarks. You can easily visit other places outside of Ho Chi Minh City as most transfers or tours offer free pick-up in District 1.

Which parts of District 1 are suitable for travelers?

Though District 1 is not that large, it still has different parts that suit different types of travelers:

• Ben Nghe area (near Nguyen Hue street): for luxury travelers
• Pham Ngu Lao area (near Bui Vien street): for budget travelers or those who love nightlife
• Tan Dinh area: for those who love to stay in less touristy area

Advantages of staying in District 1?

There are a lot of advantages for staying in District 1:

1. Central location for easy exploration.

2. Vibrant nightlife.

3. Wide range of dining options.

4. Abundance of shopping opportunities.

5. Convenient transportation options.

6. Diverse accommodation choices.

7. Cultural and historical landmarks.

8. Access to services and amenities.

Disadvantages of staying in District 1?

Although District 1 is listed as the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, it still has some disadvantages:

• Noisy and crowded with tourists
• Still quite far away from the airport (not suitable for travelers who only have a day or less in the city)
• Lack of green spaces
• Air pollution

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in District 1?

District 1 is the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, so it is suitable for almost any traveler. However, you may find other districts better to stay in if:

• You are staying in Saigon for only a day or less and need a place near the airport
• You are looking for less noisy or touristy places

District 3

Located just west of District 1, District 3 is the second recommendation for the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, which offers a blend of traditional Vietnamese culture and modern development. This area is famous for its tree-lined streets and colonial-era villas. It’s a quieter district compared to the busy city center, but still conveniently close to many attractions. District 3 is known for its local markets, charming cafes, and authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

How long does it take from SGN airport to District 3?

District 3 is about 6 kilometers away from Tan Son Nhat Airport, which will take 15-30 minutes depending on the traffic.

What are the attractions in and near District 3?

The same as District 1, you can easily visit the city landmarks (Notre-Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Saigon Opera House,…) from District 3. Most transfers or tours offer free pick-up in District 3, too.

Which parts of District 3 are suitable for travelers?

There are two main parts of District 3 for travelers, which you can choose:

• The modern northern part
• The traditional southern part

Advantages of staying in District 3?

There are a lot of advantages for staying in District 1:

1. Central location for easy exploration.

2. Greener space than District 1

3. Wide range of dining options.

4. Convenient transportation options.

5. Diverse accommodation choices.

6. Cultural and historical landmarks.

7. Access to services and amenities.

8. A bit closer to the airport than District 1

Disadvantages of staying in District 3?

As the second best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, District 3 does not have not so many disadvantages for travelers to stay in except:

• Prices may be a little bit higher
• It takes a little bit longer to visit some landmarks in District 1
• Some group tours may not offer free pick-up in District 3

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in District 3?

District 3 is the second best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, so it is suitable for almost any traveler. It also has 2 parts: modern and traditional so travelers can pick one for their interest:

• If you are looking for non-touristy experience, you should stay in the southern part of District 3
• If you want ease to access landmarks, you should choose the modern part (the north of District 3) to stay instead

District 4 and Binh Thanh District

Being next to the city center, District 4 and Binh Thanh District are the third best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers. They are famous for Vietnamese street food areas which also sell food at very cheap prices. However, it may take experience and risk to explore around, as most people do not speak English, and you will need to travel a little bit further to access the touristy landmarks.

How long does it take from SGN airport to District 4 or Binh Thanh District?

These two districts are equally 8-10 kilometers away from the airport, which will take you 30-40 minutes from the airport depending on the traffic.

What are the attractions in and near District 4 or Binh Thanh District?

Being next to the city center is a good thing about District 2 and Binh Thanh District, as you can visit the touristy landmarks easily, just like District 1 or District 3 but a little bit further.

Which parts of District 4 or Binh Thanh District that are suitable for travelers?

For District 2, you can choose to stay in the apartments/ hotels on Ben Van Don Street, which is a few minutes from District 1.

For Binh Thanh District, the best area for travelers to stay will be around Landmark 81 (Vinhomes Central Park).

Advantages of staying in District 4 or Binh Thanh District?

There are a lot of advantages to staying in District 4 or Binh Thanh District:

• Close distance to the city center
• Less touristy
• A lot of facilities and things to do around
• Good price

Disadvantages of staying in Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan District?

Though they are next to the city center, if you are doing tours, some of the tours may not offer free pick-up in these areas.

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in District 2 or District 7?

District 4 and Binh Thanh District are considered the best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for almost any type of traveler. However, if you want the most convenient and don’t mind the touristy, staying in District 1 or 3 may be more suitable.

Tan Binh District & Phu Nhuan District

Although not being the city center, Tan Binh District & Phu Nhuan District are still great options if you are looking for the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. You can still access some landmarks easily, but moreover, staying in these two makes traveling from/ to the airport easier than ever.

How long does it take from SGN airport to Tan Binh District/ Phu Nhuan District?

These two districts are only 0.1-3 kilometers away from the airport, which makes them the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City if you want a short trip from/ to the airport: 3-10 minutes to travel.

What are the attractions in and near Tan Binh District/ Phu Nhuan District?

Unfortunately, there are not so many main attractions in these areas (besides some local places like Phap Hoa pagoda,..). You may need to travel a bit to reach the popular landmarks.

Which parts of Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan are suitable for travelers?

If you are staying in Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan District, you should just stay near the airport as it is the main reason why many travelers choose this area.

Advantages of staying in Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan District?

These districts are not really the best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, however, they still have some advantages:

• Very close to the airport
• Non-touristy

Disadvantages of staying in Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan District?

As not really the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Tan Binh and Phu Nhuan all have these advantages:

• Prices are not really cheaper than in the city center
• It takes a little bit longer to visit tourist attractions
• A lot of tours may not offer free pick-up there
• People in local areas around may not speak English well

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in Tan Binh & Phu Nhuan District?

Only if you are travelers who have a day or less, or you have something to do near the airport, then Tan Binh District & Phu Nhuan district are good to go. Or else, they may not be the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Choose District 1 or District 3 instead.

District 2 (Thu Duc City) & District 7

After the districts above, District 2 – Thao Dien (now belonging to the new Thu Duc City) and District 7 are the next recommendations for the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers. Though being a little away from the city center, these two districts are famous for their staying and living quality, with a lot of expats being here. If you have traveled to Saigon before and want something new, these are considered the best places to stay.

How long does it take from SGN airport to District 2 or District 7?

These two districts are equally 13-15 kilometers away from the airport, which will take you 40-50 minutes to travel from the airport depending on the traffic.

What are the attractions in and near District 2 or District 7?

Though the main touristy landmarks are not near District 2 or District 7, they still have a lot of facilities and things to do. For examples:

• Playgrounds and local bars, Suoi Tien waterpark,… for District 2
• Crescent Mall, SC Vivo City, Starlight Bridge,… for District 7

Which parts of District 2 or 7 that are suitable for travelers?

For District 2, it is best to stay in the Sala or Thao Dien area. For District 7, Phu My Hung is the best place to stay.

Advantages of staying in District 2 or District 7?

Though they are not ranked as the top best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers, they are still highly recommended for:

• Green space and less air pollution than in the city center
• Mixed of local atmosphere and ex-pats
• A lot of local things to do if you want to experience Vietnam like a local

Disadvantages of staying in Tan Binh/ Phu Nhuan District?

Some disadvantages of District 2 or District 7 if travelers decide to stay here:

• Far away from the city center landmarks
• The cost is not cheaper than the city center

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in District 2 or District 7?

If you are a first-timer, District 2 and District 7 are not really the best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Instead, choose the center.

In case you have visited HCMC and stayed in District 1 or 3 before, then District 2 and District 7 will be the best places to stay for you.

District 10 and District 5-6 (Saigon China Town)

Being far away from the city center, District 10 and Saigon China Town are not the best places to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for travelers, but still accessible. These places are good for the cost, and pure local experiences that provide you with great insights into Vietnamese life. However, they may take experienced travelers to do so.

How long does it take from SGN airport to District 10 and Saigon China Town?

These two districts are equally about 8 kilometers away from the airport, which will take you 30 minutes to travel from the airport depending on the traffic.

What are the attractions in and near District 10 or China Town?

There are a lot of local attractions:

• Thien Hau temple, the Chinese lantern street, Cha Tam Church,… in the China Town
• White Rabbit Amusement Park, Dam Sen Park, FITO Museum,… in Dsitrct 10

Which parts of District 10 or China Town that are suitable for travelers?

For these areas, there is no specific good place to stay, you can just choose a hotel depending on your interests. However, we will recommend staying as near as the city center.

Advantages of staying in District 10 or Saigon China Town?

Well, they are not at the top of the best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City, but still have a few advantages:

• Cheap price
• Very local experience

Disadvantages of staying in District 10/ China Town?

There are a lot of disadvantages when travelers stay in these:

• Far away from the city center
• Almost nobody can speak English
• Not much accessible to the main landmarks

Which types of travelers should and should not stay in District 10 or Saigon China Town?

If you are an experienced traveler, then staying in District 10 or the China Town may help you with exploring more of Vietnamese culture. Or else, we recommend staying in other districts instead.

Other districts

If you are travelers visiting Ho Chi Minh City, we strongly recommend you not stay in other districts as they are too far away from the city center, which will affect your traveling experience a lot. Unless:

• You have something to do in those areas
• You have traveled to the city a lot of times before and want something new

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