Districts · Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City by district
A first visit lives in a 2 km box around the old District 1: the colonial core at the river end, Bến Thành and Phạm Ngũ Lão to the south-west, the palace and War Remnants Museum to the west, Đa Kao and Tân Định to the north. Chợ Lớn is a 25-minute ride west; Thảo Điền a 20-minute ride east over the river.A first visit lives in a 1.2 mi box around the old District 1: the colonial core at the river end, Bến Thành and Phạm Ngũ Lão to the south-west, the palace and War Remnants Museum to the west, Đa Kao and Tân Định to the north. Chợ Lớn is a 25-minute ride west; Thảo Điền a 20-minute ride east over the river.
About these names
Since July 2025 there are no districts: official addresses use merged wards (e.g. Sài Gòn, Bến Thành, Xuân Hòa). Drivers, maps and locals still say 'Quận 1', 'Quận 3', 'Quận 5' — this table uses those names. Search apps by street and house number.
- District 1: Đồng Khởi / Bến NghéQuận 1 – Bến NghésleepeatseeSuits: First visit, late arrivals, familiesColonial core, riverside, malls and rooftop bars; the priciest rooms.5 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- District 1: Bến Thành and Phạm Ngũ LãoQuận 1 – Phạm Ngũ LãosleepeatseeSuits: Backpackers, budget staysMarket, bus and tour offices, Bùi Viện bar street. Loud at night.1 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- District 3Quận 3eatsleepseeSuits: Food, second visits, quieter hotelsTree-lined villa streets, cafés and the War Remnants Museum edge; 10–15 min walk to the core.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Đa Kao and Tân ĐịnhseeeatSuits: An afternoon and dinnerJade Emperor Pagoda, the pink church, Tân Định market food.1 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- District 4Quận 4eatSuits: Night foodVĩnh Khánh snail street; across the canal from the core.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- District 5 and 6: Chợ LớnChợ LớnseeeatSuits: A morning of temples and marketsChinatown: assembly halls, Bình Tây Market, noodle houses. Not a base.2 sightsDistrict guide →
- Thảo Điền (old District 2)Thảo ĐiềnsleepeatSuits: Long stays, families, expatsVillas, cafés, international schools and food; Metro Line 1 stations; 20–30 min to the core.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Thủ Thiêmskip as a baseSuits: River views of the skylineNew town across the river; parks and a few hotels, little to do.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Bình Thạnh / Landmark 81seeSuits: Observation deck and mallVietnam's tallest tower; 15 min by car.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Phú Nhuận / Tân Bìnhskip as a baseSuits: Airport hotels onlyNear SGN; useful for a late arrival or early flight.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): District 4, Thảo Điền (old District 2), Thủ Thiêm, Bình Thạnh / Landmark 81, Phú Nhuận / Tân Bình. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- District 1: Đồng Khởi / Bến Nghé (Quận 1 – Bến Nghé): Colonial core, riverside, malls and rooftop bars; the priciest rooms. Suits: First visit, late arrivals, families. Price band $$.
- District 1: Bến Thành and Phạm Ngũ Lão (Quận 1 – Phạm Ngũ Lão): Market, bus and tour offices, Bùi Viện bar street. Loud at night. Suits: Backpackers, budget stays. Price band $.
- District 3 (Quận 3): Tree-lined villa streets, cafés and the War Remnants Museum edge; 10–15 min walk to the core. Suits: Food, second visits, quieter hotels.
- Đa Kao and Tân Định: Jade Emperor Pagoda, the pink church, Tân Định market food. Suits: An afternoon and dinner.
- District 4 (Quận 4): Vĩnh Khánh snail street; across the canal from the core. Suits: Night food.
- District 5 and 6: Chợ Lớn (Chợ Lớn): Chinatown: assembly halls, Bình Tây Market, noodle houses. Not a base. Suits: A morning of temples and markets.
- Thảo Điền (old District 2) (Thảo Điền): Villas, cafés, international schools and food; Metro Line 1 stations; 20–30 min to the core. Suits: Long stays, families, expats.
- Thủ Thiêm: New town across the river; parks and a few hotels, little to do. Suits: River views of the skyline.
- Bình Thạnh / Landmark 81: Vietnam's tallest tower; 15 min by car. Suits: Observation deck and mall.
- Phú Nhuận / Tân Bình: Near SGN; useful for a late arrival or early flight. Suits: Airport hotels only.
- Sleep area District 1 core (Bến Nghé / Đồng Khởi): suits First visit, late arrivals, families, price band $$.
- Sleep area Phạm Ngũ Lão (backpacker area): suits Backpackers, budget stays, price band $.
- Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport (SGN), about 6 km3.7 mi from the centre, 30–50 min by the usual route.