Finding a good apartment for rent near District 1 mostly comes down to picking the right side of the bridge. If you work in District 1 but don’t want to live on top of its traffic and noise, the best options are usually one bridge or one canal away. Binh Thanh, Thu Thiem and parts of District 3 and District 4 all put you within 5–15 minutes of the centre, often with more space and greenery for the same rent. Here is how the main choices compare in late 2026, with City Garden as our first pick for most expats.
A quick note on names: since July 2025, Ho Chi Minh City no longer uses districts as administrative units, and areas now belong to new, larger wards. Everyone, including landlords and taxi drivers, still says “District 1”, so we use the old names here. Our guide to new ward names explains the changes, and the Ho Chi Minh City overview gives the wider background.
Apartment for rent near District 1: quick comparison
| Project | Area | To Nguyen Hue by car | 2-bedroom rent (Nov 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Garden | Binh Thanh (Ngo Tat To) | ~10 min | VND 25–42 million | Gardens, quiet street, families |
| Vinhomes Central Park | Binh Thanh (riverside) | ~12 min | VND 22–35 million | Big amenities, park, Landmark 81 |
| Saigon Pearl | Binh Thanh (riverside) | ~10 min | VND 22–35 million | River views, established towers |
| Sunwah Pearl | Binh Thanh (riverside) | ~10 min | VND 25–40 million | Newer finish, river frontage |
| Pearl Plaza | Binh Thanh (Dien Bien Phu) | ~8 min | VND 20–30 million | Mall below, central location |
| Thu Thiem projects | Thu Thiem | ~10 min | VND 25–50 million | New city, river walk, offices |
Rents are typical asking ranges for furnished units from public listings in November 2026. Actual rents depend on floor, view and furniture.
Why City Garden is our first pick
City Garden sits on Ngo Tat To, a side street between Dien Bien Phu and Xo Viet Nghe Tinh. It is about 3 km to Ben Thanh, which in practice means a 10-minute Grab ride outside rush hour. What sets it apart is the land: six towers on a 2.29 ha site where roughly three-quarters is gardens, lawns and two pools. Very few buildings this close to District 1 give children space to run around downstairs.
Rentals are mostly fully furnished. In November 2026, one-bedroom Soho units ask around VND 18–26 million a month, two-bedrooms VND 25–42 million and three-bedrooms VND 50–70 million. The building has had a large foreign and Japanese community for more than a decade, so landlords are used to English contracts and expat tenants. See the current City Garden apartments for rent.
The riverside Binh Thanh alternatives
Vinhomes Central Park is the obvious alternative if you want a large park, a mall and Landmark 81 on your doorstep. It is bigger and busier than City Garden, with dozens of towers, and the commute to District 1 runs over the same congested Nguyen Huu Canh road. Saigon Pearl and Sunwah Pearl sit along the river between Vinhomes and the Saigon Bridge; they are good if a river view matters more than gardens.
Thu Thiem and the new city
Since the Thu Thiem bridges and tunnel opened, the Thu Thiem side of the river has become a real option for District 1 commuters. Newer projects there offer modern layouts and riverside walks, at rents that are often higher than older Binh Thanh buildings. Our Thu Thiem expat guide covers the projects in detail.
What to check before you sign
- Commute at rush hour. Do the trip at 8 am and 6 pm before you decide. Ten minutes on a Sunday can be thirty on a Monday.
- What the rent includes. Management fee, internet and cleaning are sometimes included, sometimes not.
- Deposit and term. Two months’ deposit and 12 months is standard. Shorter leases usually cost more.
- Residence registration. Your landlord must register you with the local police; see our temporary residence guide.
- The lease itself. Read our notes on the apartment lease agreement in Vietnam.
Our take
For most people looking for an apartment for rent near District 1, City Garden is the best balance of short commute, quiet surroundings and outdoor space. Pick Vinhomes Central Park if you want a city-within-a-city, the riverside Pearl buildings if the view comes first, and Thu Thiem if you want something newer and don’t mind paying for it. If you tell us your budget and move-in date, we can shortlist units across all of them.
FAQ
Which area is best to rent near District 1?
Binh Thanh is the most popular choice for expats, because buildings like City Garden, Vinhomes Central Park and Saigon Pearl are 8–15 minutes from the centre with more space and amenities than District 1 itself.
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment near District 1?
In November 2026, expect roughly VND 20–42 million a month for a furnished two-bedroom in Binh Thanh, depending on the building, floor and view.
Is City Garden close to District 1?
Yes. City Garden at 59 Ngo Tat To is about 3 km from Ben Thanh, around 10 minutes by car outside rush hour.
Do I need a long lease?
Twelve months is standard. Some owners accept six months at a higher rent; nightly short stays are regulated and depend on each building.