Visiting Ho Chi Minh City? Vietnam’s largest city has a lot to offer, from interesting museums to some of the country’s best cafés and restaurants, most beautiful colonial architecture and much more.
Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, is a huge city with several different districts, meaning it can be hard to work out exactly where you should stay.The guide below covers all of the city’s best districts, hotels, apartments and other accommodation options.
Ho Chi Minh City is made up of numerous numbered districts, with District 1 the central district and home to most of the city’s areas of interest for tourists. In general, it’s best to stay in one of the districts close to District 1.
District 1
District 1 is the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. This is where you’ll find most of the city’s attractions, as well as a great selection of restaurants, cafés and street vendors around Bui Vien Walking Street. It’s also where most of the best hotels in Saigon can be found.
Although District 1 is conveniently located for sightseeing, it’s very busy and infamously noisy, meaning it may not be the best place to stay if you’re looking for peace and quiet. Hotel options in District 1 are plenty. If you have a high budget, you can stay in one of the city’s top luxury hotels, such as The Myst or the ultra high-end The Reverie. District 1 is also home to several 19th and early 20th-century historical hotels, such as the Rex Hotel, Hotel Majestic and the Grand Hotel.
From most of these hotels, it’s a short walk to popular attractions such as the Bitexco Saigon Skydeck.
For people on a limited budget, District 1 is also home to Bui Vien — Ho Chi Minh City’s popular backpacker area. Here, you can find budget accommodation options such as Ipeace Hotel and the Cinnamon Boutique Hotel.
If the hustle and bustle of District 1 isn’t for you, District 3 can be a good option. District 3 is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s inner districts and is located directly adjacent to District 1. Despite its very central location, prices here are a little lower and the noise level is much more tolerable.
District 3 is a popular nightlife area, with locally famous bars such as Acoustic Bar and others. It also offers a good selection of Vietnamese and international restaurants.
If you want to be close to District 1 but enjoy a more local experience, Phu Nhuan District is also worth considering. This district borders District 1 and has a great selection of hotels, apartments and other places to stay at much lower prices than the city center.
Good places to stay in Phu Nhuan District include The Alcove Library Hotel, which is home to a diverse selection of books for guests to enjoy, as well as the luxurious Eastin Grand Hotel and the quirky and fun Novia Hotel.
Binh Thanh District
More popular with residents than travelers, Binh Thanh District is a dense part of the city that’s home to lots of apartment buildings. It’s also where you can find Landmark 81 — Vietnam’s new tallest building, which is home to the ultra high-end Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 hotel.
District 2
Located across the Saigon River from the rest of the city, District 2 is a quiet part of town that’s one of the most international areas in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll find lots of beautiful villas here, as well as a selection of international restaurants, cafés and bars.
District 2 is popular with expats, and it can be a relaxing place to stay if you’re looking for a nice break from the hustle and bustle of District 1. Good hotels here include Mia Saigon, a luxurious riverside hotel, as well as more affordable options such as Atelier Thao Dien and Sen Boutique House.
District 4
District 4 is located just across a canal from District 1 and can be a convenient place to stay if you want to be close to but not in the city. Although it has a slightly darker reputation than other parts of Ho Chi Minh City, the areas of District 4 close to District 1 are safe and convenient.
There aren’t a lot of hotels here, although there are lots of apartments overlooking District 1 that are available online. Icon 56 is one of several apartment buildings in District 4 that’s a short walk from District 1 across the canal and great for exploring the city.
Hostels
Traveling on a strict budget? Don’t worry — Ho Chi Minh City has a good selection of affordable hostels and budget hotels. Most of these can be found close to Bui Vien and Pham Ngu Lao in the city’s backpacker area.
If you’re staying in Ho Chi Minh City for longer than a week, looking into an apartment can be a good idea. Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City are generally affordable, but many apartments offer long stay rates that are better than the nightly rates you’ll pay for a hotel.
For stays of a few days to one month, you can find a good selection of apartments in Districts 1, 2 and 3 on Airbnb. For longer stays, using an apartment rental service like RentPro will help you secure a lower monthly rate.
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