Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): the complete 2026 guide
Districts, sights, transport and real prices in a Southeast Asian megacity. Old Saigon — 10 million people, a metro since 2024, the country's business engine, and some of the best street food in Asia.
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest city and the gateway to the south. Until 1976 it was called Saigon, and locals still call it that. Almost 10 million people live here, more than 13 million in the wider metro area.
Information current as of July 2026. USD figures use a rate of roughly 25,000 VND = $1 — always confirm the live rate and prices on the ground, since they change.
French colonial villas stand shoulder to shoulder with skyscrapers, Buddhist pagodas sit across the street from rooftop bars, and pho stalls with 70 years of history share a block with Michelin restaurants. In December 2024 the country's first metro line opened here. The city changes fast.
Below: the districts, how to get around, and what to see. This is the orientation guide — it covers where to base yourself and how the city works, so you land knowing the lay of the land.
From Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City — a short history
Before the 17th century, a small Khmer village sat on the bank of the Saigon River. Vietnamese settlers arrived in the late 1600s, and by the 18th century Saigon had grown into a busy trading port.
The French took over in 1859, made Saigon the capital of Cochinchina and laid out boulevards, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the central post office — the buildings that are now the postcard shots. They nicknamed it the "Paris of the East," and the colonial quarter still earns the name.
On 30 April 1975 Saigon fell, and the city was renamed after Ho Chi Minh. But southerners never really took to the new name — in conversation everyone says "Saigon." The airport code is still SGN, for Saigon.
The national capital is Hanoi, up north. But the money moves here: Ho Chi Minh City accounts for over 40% of the country's industrial output and a third of its GDP.
According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the city generates around 23% of national GDP and draws more than 60% of foreign direct investment.
Districts — where to stay and where to live
On paper the city has 22 districts (quận). As a traveller or expat you only need 5-6 of them. Which one comes down to your budget and why you came.
District 1 — the historic centre
Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market — all within walking distance. Plus the best hotels, restaurants and malls in the city.
Best for: first-time visitors and business travellers.
Key streets:
- Dong Khoi— the main "shop-window" street of boutiques and hotels
- Nguyen Hue — the pedestrian boulevard, an evening stroll
- Bui Vien — the backpacker street of bars and street food
- Pham Ngu Lao — budget hotels and hostels
Prices: hotels from ~$19/night (3-star), ~$69/night (5-star). Apartment rent from ~$400/month. Note that most mid-range and upmarket places take cards, but street stalls and small shops are cash-only, so keep some dong on you.
Downsides: the most expensive district, noisy, with traffic that sits for hours.
District 3 — quieter and cheaper
It borders District 1, so the sights are a walk away. Greener, calmer, and with far more local cafes than tourist ones. The War Remnants Museum, in fact, technically sits here.
Best for: being close to the centre without the crowds or the markup.
Prices: rent from ~$300/month. Hotels run 20-30% cheaper than in District 1.
Upsides: leafy streets, real Vietnamese food, a 5-minute motorbike ride to District 1.
District 2 (Thao Dien) — the expat district
Thao Dien, 10 km from the centre, is where most of the city's foreigners live. International schools, cafes serving oat-milk lattes, coworking spaces, yoga studios, craft breweries. People sometimes call it "Little Australia."
Best for: remote workers, digital nomads, expats and families.
Prices:rent from ~$350-500/month. The cost of living runs higher thanks to "expat pricing" in the venues.
Upsides: quiet, long-stay infrastructure, coworking spaces like The Hive and Toong.
💬 "Thao Dien is the heart of the expat community: tree-lined streets packed with cafes, restaurants, coworking spaces and shops. The catch is the 'expat bubble' — it's easy to end up mixing only with other foreigners." — from a review on Expat Arrivals, 2025
District 7 (Phu My Hung) — the family district
Built from scratch in the early 2000s on Korean and Japanese blueprints. Wide boulevards, parks, modern malls. It feels like a different city.
Best for: families and long stays.
Prices: rent from ~$400/month.
Upsides: safe, clean, parks and schools. Crescent Mall and Starlight Bridge are pleasant places to walk.
District 5 (Chinatown / Chợ Lớn) — colour and food
Vietnam's largest Chinatown. Binh Tay Market (the biggest in the city), Taoist temples, traditional apothecaries and the best Chinese-Vietnamese food around. Barely any tourists — just locals.
Best for: anyone after a real Asian city and food for next to nothing.
Binh Thanh — the Landmark 81 district
Just north of District 1. This is where Landmark 81 stands — the tallest building in Vietnam (461 m). Beside it, the Saigon River promenade and the Vinhomes Central Park development, with its park and pools.
| District | Best for | Rent/month | To centre | Main draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Tourists, business | from ~$400 | — | Everything on foot |
| District 3 | Quiet centre | from ~$300 | 5 min | Calmer, cheaper |
| District 2 | Expats, nomads | from ~$350 | 20 min | Coworking, cafes |
| District 7 | Families | from ~$400 | 30 min | Parks, safety |
| District 5 | Foodies, authenticity | from ~$250 | 15 min | Food, markets |
| Binh Thanh | Modern city | from ~$350 | 10 min | Landmark 81 |
According to Asia Lifestyle Magazine and Expat.com, a comfortable single life in Ho Chi Minh City runs $900-1,800 a month. Rent eats the biggest share; food, on the other hand, is gloriously cheap.
Getting to Ho Chi Minh City
Flights
Ho Chi Minh City is a major regional hub, with direct connections across Southeast Asia, East Asia, Australia and the Middle East. From Europe and North America you'll usually connect once — via Bangkok, Singapore, Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. Book 2-3 months out and travel in the low season (May-September) for the cheapest fares.
Visas — check by passport
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Many passports get 45 days visa-free; most others need an e-visa, which is quick to apply for online at the official portal evisa.gov.vn before you fly. Always confirm the current rule for your passport — the visa-free list changes.
Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN)
Just 6 km from the centre — one of the closest airports to a downtown in all of Southeast Asia. Two terminals: international (T2, newer) and domestic (T1).
| Option | Price | Time to centre |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (Vinasun, Mai Linh) | 150,000-200,000 VND (~$6-8) | 20-45 min |
| Grab Car | from 100,000 VND (~$4) | 20-45 min |
| Bus 109 (express) | 20,000 VND (~$0.80) | 30-45 min |
| Bus 152 | 6,000 VND (~$0.25) | 40-60 min |
A new airport, Long Thanh, is under construction 40 km to the east, due to open around 2027-2028. A dedicated metro branch will run out to it.
Skip the airport queue in 5–10 min
In winter, immigration lines run 60–90 min. With Fast Track you’re met at the aircraft and taken through the priority lane. Arrange it before you fly.
Telegram managerGetting around the city
7.5 million motorbikes. The traffic looks like chaos but runs on its own logic; you get used to it in a couple of days. Here's how to move.
The metro (Line 1) — open since 2024
On 22 December 2024 the first line opened: 34.2 km from Ben Thanh (central, by the market) to Suoi Tien (the eastern suburbs). 14 stations, trains every 8 minutes at peak.
For now it's the only way to skip the jams out to the eastern districts. Ben Thanh will become the interchange. Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) is under construction, due around 2030.
In its first year Line 1 carried more than 20 million passengers (JICA). TIMEput the city's metro on its list of the 100 greatest places in the world for 2025.
💬 "The metro is a pleasant shock: clean stations, air conditioning, trains every 8 minutes. The ride from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien is 15,000 VND (~$0.60), a day pass 40,000 VND (~$1.60). At rush hour it really is faster than Grab." — rider review, 2025
Grab and taxis
Grab is the app everyone uses — GrabCar for a car, GrabBike for a motorbike taxi. The bike is cheaper and immune to traffic, but awkward with a suitcase. Pay in the app by card, or cash to the driver; both work.
| Mode | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GrabCar | from 40,000 VND (~$1.60) a ride | 15 min across town ≈ 80,000 VND |
| GrabBike | from 15,000 VND (~$0.60) | Faster in traffic |
| Taxi (Vinasun/Mai Linh) | from 11,000 VND/km (~$0.45) | Flagfall 10,000-15,000 VND |
Buses and the river bus
Over 100 routes, tickets 6,000-10,000 VND (~$0.25-0.40). The buses are air-conditioned, but signs are in Vietnamese only — Google Maps bails you out.
The river bus along the Saigon River is a way to dodge the traffic and see the city from the water. From 15,000 VND (~$0.60).
Renting a motorbike
150,000-250,000 VND/day (~$6-10). You need a Vietnamese licence (or an International Driving Permit that covers motorbikes). Traffic here is denser than in Hanoi — if you haven't ridden in Asia before, don't make this your first time.
Getting from the city to elsewhere in Vietnam
| Destination | Distance | Time | Transport | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phan Thiet / Mui Ne | 200-220 km | 4-6 h | Bus | from 150,000 VND (~$6) |
| Vung Tau | 125 km | 1.5-2 h | Hydrofoil | 250,000 VND (~$10) |
| Da Lat | 300 km | 7-8 h | Bus | from 200,000 VND (~$8) |
| Cam Ranh / Nha Trang | 430 km | 1 h 15 min | Flight | from 1,000,000 VND (~$40) |
| Mekong Delta | 75 km | 1.5-2 h | Day tour | from ~$25 |
The nearest beach escape is Vung Tau (a 1.5-hour hydrofoil). The most popular day trip out of the city is the Mekong Delta: boats, fruit orchards and floating markets.
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerWhat to see in Ho Chi Minh City
From colonial architecture to the Cu Chi Tunnels, there are dozens of sights. The classics cluster in District 1, so you can knock out the highlights in a day and save trips like the tunnels and the Mekong for a second.
The colonial quarter
Saigon's French heritage is concentrated in District 1. The key buildings are all within walking distance of one another — you can cover them in half a day.
Notre-Dame Cathedral— Vietnam's main Catholic cathedral, 1880, built from Marseille brick, with two 58-metre bell towers. Under restoration since 2017, but the facade is open. Free.
The Central Post Office— high vaults, arched windows, a portrait of Ho Chi Minh on the far wall. It's a working post office, so you can actually send a postcard home. Free, 07:00-19:00.
City Hall (1908, French Renaissance). No entry inside, but the floodlit facade at night is one of the best photo spots in town.
The Opera House — neoclassical, early 20th century. You only see the interior during a show. It hosts the A O Show, a contemporary circus about Vietnam (from 700,000 VND, ~$28).
History museums
| Museum | Entry | Hours | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reunification Palace | 65,000 VND (~$2.60) | 07:30-16:00 | 1-2 h |
| War Remnants Museum | 40,000 VND (~$1.60) | 07:30-18:00 | 2-3 h |
| Museum of Vietnamese History | 30,000 VND (~$1.20) | 08:00-17:00 | 1-1.5 h |
| FITO Traditional Medicine Museum | 120,000 VND (~$4.80) | 08:30-17:00 | 1 h |
The Reunification Palace — the former Independence Palace. In the courtyard stand the very tanks that crashed through the gates in 1975. Inside: meeting rooms, bunkers, a helipad on the roof. All left as it was.
The War Remnants Museum— the Vietnam War told from the Vietnamese side. Photographs, hardware, documents. It's an emotionally heavy museum, and the exhibits are graphic — not one for small children. For many travellers it's the single most affecting stop in the city.
💬 "The museum plunges you into the raw, unvarnished history of the Vietnam War through the eyes of those who lived it. It's not a 'pleasant' visit, but one of the most powerful experiences of the whole trip. Allow 1.5-2 hours — longer is hard to take emotionally." — visitor experience, Tripadvisor, 2025
Viewpoints
Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck) — the lotus-shaped tower, 262 m. The observation deck is on the 49th floor: a 360-degree panorama, 200,000 VND (~$8). One floor up is the EON Heli Bar on the former helipad, cocktails from 250,000 VND (~$10).
Landmark 81 Skyview — 461 m, 81 floors. The deck spans floors 79-81: 450,000 VND (~$18). Only worth it on a clear day.
Per reviews on Tripadvisor, the best time is at sunset or in the evening, when the city lights up.
Temples and pagodas
The Jade Emperor Pagoda(1909) — a Taoist temple with wood carvings and a turtle pond. It's a working temple, so keep it quiet. Free.
Tan Dinh Church (1876) — a bright-pink Gothic facade, the second-largest church in the city. A permanent fixture of Instagram feeds.
Giac Lam Pagoda (1744) — the oldest pagoda in the city.
The street food alone justifies the trip. For a proper crash course in the crispy southern crepe, see our guide to banh xeo, and for the local way to drink cheap draught beer with the crowd, our take on bia hoi.
One day in Ho Chi Minh City
With one day, stick to District 1. Here's a route that works.
- Morning: Notre-Dame Cathedral + the Central Post Office (30 min)
- Morning: Reunification Palace (1 h)
- Lunch: pho at Pho Phuong or banh mi at Banh Mi Huynh Hoa
- Afternoon: War Remnants Museum (1.5 h)
- Afternoon: Ben Thanh Market (1 h)
- Evening: the Nguyen Hue walking street + Cafe Apartment
- Evening: dinner and bars on Bui Vien
Key points on the map
- Ben Thanh Market (Chợ Bến Thành): The city's main market — District 1
- Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nhà thờ Đức Bà): Icon of colonial Saigon — District 1
- War Remnants Museum (Bảo tàng Chứng tích Chiến tranh): 40,000 VND (~$1.60) | District 3
- Bui Vien (Bùi Viện): Backpacker street — Bars and street food
- Landmark 81 (Landmark 81 Skyview): Tallest building in Vietnam — 461 m, 81 floors
- Cholon (Chinatown) (Chợ Lớn): The Chinese quarter — District 5