5 of the best neighborhoods in Ho Chi Minh City

29.09.2024 - 08:03 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 27, 2024 • 10 min read

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as some still call it, is the largest city in Vietnam and the country’s economic capital. Though it does not boast literal millennia of history and culture like the capital Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is still unquestionably the metropolis of the South. This no-less-historied city offers a captivating blend of old-world charm and contemporary vibrancy.

Built atop the ruins of the older Quy citadel and historically merging two sister cities together (Saigon and Cholon, or Chinatown) under French colonial rule, modern Saigon is a captivating patchwork of frenetic sleepless urbanized districts, quietly elegant French-era architecture, quirky alleyway labyrinths, and laid-back mini-sized suburban neighborhoods sandwiched between glistening glass-plated skyscrapers.

The city is separated into 16 inner districts, one satellite city, and five outer districts, and spreads over an area of 2095 sq km (809 sq miles). Due to the prevalence of cheap public transportation, exploring the entirety of Ho Chi Minh City is possible for those with time and enthusiasm. Get those feet wandering into one area at a time with our guide to HCMC's best neighborhoods.

Best for first-time visitors and nightlife

There’s a popular turn-of-the-century Saigonese saying: “Ăn quận 5, nằm quận 3, la cà quận 1” meaning, "eat in District 5, sleep in District 3, party in District 1."

District 1 lies at the center of Ho Chi Minh City, and as the old saying goes, it is where all the fun things in the city take place. Within it is Ben Thanh Market, an Indochine-style bazaar that has been the icon of Ho Chi Minh City for 112 years and counting. The market has borne witness to the city’s rise and fall and rise, and is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience vibrant street life while shopping for local goods.

Just five minutes' walk from Ben Thanh Southern Gate is Ð Dong Khoi, a narrow street lined with luxury boutiques, high-end restaurants, hip bars and lounges, private art galleries, and historic sites such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House.

One turn away from Ð Dong Khoi and branching off of Le Thanh Ton is Nguyen Hue Walking Street. This broad, tree-lined pedestrian boulevard is the favorite gathering spot for Saigonese youths, especially during the weekends when the city regularly holds free public events and musical performances. Even during slightly slower weekdays, Nguyen Hue still boasts eclectic street performances, light displays and lively crowds.

At the end of Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the Dragon Wharf, yet another historic site that has since become a cultural hot spot for city youths. The Wharf is home to the Ho Chi Minh Museum and is flanked by various riverside