A complete look at the diverse districts comprising Ho Chi Minh City, starting with one of the most exclusive districts, District 1, to more outlying areas known for their lower-cost housing options.
DISTRICT 1
Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 is a popular area to reside in since it is the city’s most contemporary and dynamic district. The most important thing that draws people to live in District 1 is that it is in a good spot. District 1 is where most of the foreign embassy offices and government offices are. Tourists can drive to these offices in five to ten minutes if they want to apply for visas, passports, or other temporary documents for immigration.
In addition, since it’s the center of the district, it is home to various cinemas, malls, restaurants, and pubs, as well as others. District 1 has also been called a “sleepless district” due to the many night-time activities that keep residents awake (check out 5 Places to Stay the Night in Ho Chi Minh City).
In this area, you can meet people from around the globe, so the chances of making foreigners from all over the world are higher than in other places. Pham Ngu Lao street is known as a Western Avenue, with various cafés, restaurants, pubs, bars, and other amenities for foreigners, which are Western fashion. District 1 is home to a greater percentage of people who converse in English than other districts because of the large foreign population in the area. District 1 may be the most suitable area if you aren’t confident with your Vietnamese and don’t have a translator to help with everyday conversations (read How Can You Make it through with just English for more information about Vietnam).
While District 1 may seem like a paradisal spot, it has a few factors that deter foreigners from moving there. Like New York City in the United States, District 1 is believed as the world’s most expensive district. There, everything appears more costly. Comparatively to other areas, the cost of the coffee you drink is triple or double. If you want to see a movie in one of the Galaxy Cinemas in District 1, it will cost you one cent more than if you went to Tan Binh. The prices of food at the market are much higher than they used to be. District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City is a place where you can get top-notch services that will please all of your senses.
DISTRICT 2
District 2, located a bit distance from the city center, is a cheaper and less crowded area. Due to the following factors, District 2 is a popular option for ex-pats. First off, it is only 10 kilometers (6.22 miles) from the city center.
Because of the new Dong-Tay Boulevard redevelopment, it usually takes between 15 and 20 minutes to drive from District 1 to District 2. In addition, there are luxury apartments and villas to lease at affordable prices. If an ex-pat leases an apartment in the city, they can save as much as $200 per month, based on the amenities and size of the property.
District 2 offers more space and less traffic if you’re tired of the congested streets and wild motorcyclists in the city center, which is a lot of fun. The traffic jams aren’t more often than in central districts.
There are a few disadvantages to be looked at prior to making a choice. In District 2, there are not many fun events. If you’re a vibrant young person who dislikes remaining at home late at night, you should avoid residing in District 2. District 2 looks to be more suitable for middle-aged and older ex-pats in search of more fresh air, less traffic, and a more tranquil lifestyle.
DISTRICT 3
District 3 is another choice for those who are young and want to be close to the city’s center at less cost. It is not too far from District 1; the residents in District 3 usually take taxis or motorbikes to transport. District 3 is a good choice for visitors on a short-term visit to Ho Chi Minh City who is budget-conscious. One advantage to living in the district 3 area is the wide array of recreational opportunities, which include cinemas, coffee shops along with parks (Le Van Tam Park and Tao Dan Park).
District 3 is the ideal place to go if you’re an avid coffee lover who would like to try out different types of coffee shops. If you’re bored of shopping in malls, visit the stylish stores on Vo Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Van Tan Street, and Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, to mention a few. Because there are so many stores in District 3 that cater to all age groups of clients, families with children may enjoy being there. If you’re an avid shoe lover, there are many shoe shops along Ly Chinh Thang Street which offer bigger sizes for a less high price than in District 1.
However, the streets of District 3 are tiny, and traffic backups occur practically every day during rush hour. The easiest approach to prevent being stuck in traffic is to attempt to leave or return home before peak periods.
DISTRICT 5
District 5, commonly referred to by the name Chinatown, located in Ho Chi Minh City, is home to the largest quantity of Chinese Vietnamese. As opposed to District 1, District 5’s structure and daily life are more traditional. District 5 is home to more temples and pagodas than any district of Ho Chi Minh City. Living costs in District 5 are lower than in District 1 and approximately comparable to District 3.
Even the pickiest consumers are satisfied by the delicious and genuine Chinese food provided in district 5. Additionally practical is using public transit to go between Districts 1 and 5. Take bus number 1 from Cho Lon Bus Station to Ben Thanh Market in District 5 for 20 cents and 45 minutes. Consider staying in District 5 if you’re traveling for the Moon Festival or the Lunar New Year. The local Hoa community celebrates these important anniversaries, which fosters a very festive environment.
One downside of residing in District 5 is that there are fewer individuals who understand English; nonetheless, Mandarin and Cantonese are frequently spoken. It will not be an issue if you are fluent in Chinese!
DISTRICT 7
Similar to District 2, many foreigners chose District 7 as their Vietnamese home. Despite its distance from the city center, District 7 is being heralded as Ho Chi Minh City’s future face in the property market in the next years. Because it was built many years ago as a Western suburb in Ho Chi Minh City for high-income folks, there are numerous high-quality villas available for long-term renting. Apartments with high living standards may be purchased or rented in the Phu My Hung area.
Expats can find their traditional foods in a local grocery store with food from various countries, including Korea, Japan, and similar. Fast food eateries, cafes, bars, and coffee shops can also be modified to be suitable for people from other countries. It is possible to feel less homesick while living in District 7. Domino Pizza has recently launched its first franchise in Vietnam in District 7. In addition, KFC, Lotteria, and other restaurants are only a few minutes away. A special seafood dinner buffet is available at The Cham Charm at weekends.
Living in District 7 has two drawbacks. The first is that there are not many nightlife options because it’s in a remote place distant from the metropolis. Furthermore, public transit in District 5 is not the same. Another consideration is the expense of living. Because of the stringent quality standards, it is possible that the service will be more expensive than it would be for others.
THU DUC DISTRICT
Thu Duc District has fewer foreign residents since it is so far from the city center (approximately 20km or 12.5 miles). The majority of ex-pats reside in the Thu Duc area since they work there. When they reside in Thu Duc, they do not have to be concerned about their cash. Living in the city center is significantly less costly. A typical dinner will cost at least $1.5, and it may cost more than $2 in inner-city areas such as District 3, District 4, or District 5. The houses can also be rented at a lower price.
If you do not place a high priority on the building’s design and are not particular about where you sleep, the Thu Duc District can be a nice option for you to consider. In addition, the Thu Duc area of Ho Chi Minh City has been designed to be an education district where the majority of large colleges in the city center extend their branches. So, if you work in the field of education, like as a professor at a university, Thu Duc is a great place for you to live. It’s easy to grasp and utilize public transportation. The only thing that is important is the duration of time. It takes around one hour and 45 minutes to go to Thu Duc by bus from the central business district of the city. There’s not much to do in the area, either!
Therefore, living in the Thu Duc area is not the best option for individuals who enjoy an active and thrilling urban life. The reality that the bus service from downtown to the Thu Duc area is stopped around 9 p.m. Just as the party is about to begin is not a good enough reason to give them the option of staying in the district for the rest of their life.
TAN BINH DISTRICT
People who have steady jobs and a comfortable income will find that the Tan Binh district is an ideal place to call home. There are several small and mid-sized businesses in the Tan Binh district. Although handy, public transit is frequently congested during rush hours (6:30 a.m. -8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m- 6:30 p.m.).
There’s a broad choice of motels and hotels that can be rented out for reasonable rates for short or long-term stays. If you are planning to stay within Ho Chi Minh City for more than three months, consider hiring a room at any of Ho Chi Minh City’s private residences. You may find that the family you stay with might be willing to sell the room at a price that you are able to manage. Being in the Tan Binh district also has the benefit of not being expensive. Fast food is also accessible. However, there are fewer options than in District 1 or District 7. There are fewer upscale restaurants and motels here as well. The food quality is appropriate for the price.
But the roads are not large enough to allow for easy movement, especially during high traffic times, when congestion is commonplace every day. The entertainment options are limited. There are not many theaters for movies and shopping malls, nor are there any fashion stores. Because of the low cost of living and easy access to public transportation, Tan Binh district is a good choice for ex-pat businessmen who do not want a lot of entertainment options.
