7 Must-See Ho Chi Minh City Neighborhoods and How to Visit

This district is number one for a reason, particularly among travelers and businesspeople. It’s where you’ll find the city’s cultural—and often French—heartbeat: the Central Post Office, the Saigon Opera House, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Hotel Continental Saigon (where journalists and diplomats set up shop during the Vietnam War), and the Independence Palace, the former home of the President of South Vietnam. Expect restaurants with high-priced English menus across cuisines, fancy French boulevards, specialty shops, and spas, plus modern cafés, bistros, and bars.

That’s just the tip of it. D1 also claims the famous Chợ Bến Thành, or Ben Thanh Market, the largest market in the city. They’re used to tourists, so you’ll find much better prices and a more authentic experience elsewhere, like Tan Dinh Market, across from the bubblegum-pink Tan Dinh Church. Anthony Bourdain fans should head just down the alley from the church, Banh Xeo 46A, for a delicious Vietnamese pancake.

Insider tip: It’s best to skip Bui Vien (Backpacker’s Road) unless you’re looking for party-going tourists and cheap beer. You’ll find more local hangouts a block away in any direction.

Adjacent to District 1, D3 also has a large international population and all the benefits of being D1’s next-door neighbor, but with a slower, more real-life vibe. The Saigon River courses through the area’s north side—take a motorbike ride along the snaking Hoang Sa and stop at the open-air coffee joints, small roadside markets, and waterfront bars. You’ll also find lots of French colonial architecture here, as this is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.

While D3 (and almost every other district) lacks the global refinement of D1, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You probably came to Saigon for a true Vietnamese experience, and D3 has a traditional atmosphere while also offering accessible amenities and lots of things to do.

Insider tip: Not set on getting around by scooter? Hail a taxi, but make sure to scout out either Vinasun or Mai Linh—others will likely take you for a proverbial ride.

This district is a wealthy hub for both Vietnamese locals and international visitors from around the world. On the southern outskirts of the city (wander a bit too far and you’ll find yourself in the jungle) it offers a distinctly different vibe, one of newfound wealth and prosperity. It’s cleaner and lacks that hectic Saigon energy—it may just be the Saigon of the future.

Crescent Mall is the anchor here, a high-end shopping complex in the affluent Phu My Hung neighborhood. Expect exorbitant prices and great people watching. Crescent Lake and the Starlight Bridge, on the same grounds, feel more Sydney than Saigon, though they’re ideal spots for a romantic evening out. Ho Ban Nguyet Park, another green escape that feels like a vacation from the city, is just a few minutes away.

Insider tip: Cars are a lot more common in this district. To travel in D7 style, get here by private car.

Just south of Pham Ngu Lao (D1’s backpacker enclave) is District 4. This was historically the poorest district in Saigon and the former home of the Vietnamese mafia. It houses a dense network of narrow alleyways that stay in the shadows all day long but open up when the sun sets.

However, times have changed, and although D4 is considerably safer now, it still remains elusive to some of the nearby tourists and backpackers. However, the street food scene in this neighborhood is exciting to explore, especially for adventurous foodie travelers. Wander the alleys off Doan Van Bo, grab a plastic stool at a street stall, and scout out the open-air markets for a genuinely delicious Saigon gastronomy experience.

Yet another bastion of wealth has popped up in Saigon: D2. Jungle and swamp until about a decade ago, this district is now full of mansions and villas. On the east side of the river, you’ll find a handful of acclaimed European restaurants, reputable American schools, high-rise condos, and modern hotels. While it may not be the district to spend the whole day, if you’re looking to get away from Saigon’s signature chaos, D2 could be a calmer place to stay.

Insider tip: Saigon’s underground metro is slated for completion in 2023. Once it’s finished, D2 will be much more accessible.

A decade ago, Phu Nhuan wouldn’t have been on this list, but a lot has changed. It’s still highly residential, but since millions of residents needed amenities, this area now offers a nice balance of everyday spots. The massive Gia Dinh Park is one of the city’s green lungs, a prime destination for a walk with a ca phe sua da (coffee!) in hand. Phu Nhuan is also home to restaurants, banh mi food stalls, and no-frills coffee shops.

Phu Nhuan is sandwiched between D1 and the airport, so it’s a bit removed from both ends of the chaos but still within reach of everything that makes Saigon special.

Related:How to Spend 3 Days in Ho Chi Minh City

Welcome to Chinatown (Chợ Lớn), one of the world’s largest Chinatowns. This is as under the radar as you can get, so you’ll need some basic Vietnamese skills (and some haggling skills) to navigate the massive Binh Tay Market, food stalls, and restaurants. Plenty of markets around the city get their fares from right here, so you’ll save money if you buy straight from the source, though you’ll likely have to buy in bulk.

You’ll also find some stellar Chinese food here in D5—this is the district to get your dumpling on. The best plan is to follow your nose, head down the back alleys, and see whatever shop has crowds sitting in those tiny plastic chairs, slurping the night away.

Related: 7 of the Top Chinatowns Around the World