In short: the best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City for most expats are Thu Thiem and Thao Dien (both in An Khanh Ward, the old District 2), the Binh Thanh riverside around Vinhomes Central Park, District 1, and Phu My Hung in the old District 7. Thu Thiem suits people who want space and a short drive to the centre, Thao Dien suits families who like to walk to cafés and schools, District 1 suits singles and short stays, and Phu My Hung suits families who want quiet, green streets.
In this article
There’s no single best area – only the best area for your commute, your budget and the way you like to live. After years of showing apartments to newcomers, we’ve found that people who choose by commute first and view second are the happiest a year later. Here’s how the main areas compare.
A note on names: since 1 July 2025 Ho Chi Minh City uses wards instead of districts. Thu Thiem and Thao Dien are in An Khanh Ward, Vinhomes Central Park and Saigon Pearl are in Thanh My Tay Ward, and Phu My Hung is in Tan My Ward. Our guide to new ward names has the full list.
The best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City at a glance
| Area | Feel | Best for | 1-bedroom rent (VND/month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Thiem (An Khanh Ward) | New, planned, river views | Professionals, families | 18 – 30 million |
| Thao Dien (An Khanh Ward) | Leafy expat village | Families, creatives | 15 – 25 million |
| Binh Thanh riverside (Thanh My Tay Ward) | Large compounds, parks | Value seekers, couples | 14 – 22 million |
| District 1 (Sai Gon, Ben Thanh Wards) | Busy, central, walkable | Singles, short stays | 17 – 30 million |
| Phu My Hung (Tan My Ward) | Calm, green, organised | Families, Korean and Japanese community | 12 – 20 million |
| Vinhomes Grand Park (Long Binh Ward) | Huge township, new | Budget, jobs in the east | 5 – 9 million |
Thu Thiem: space, views and a short drive to District 1
Thu Thiem is the planned new downtown across the river from District 1. Streets are wide, the riverfront is being turned into parks, and towers such as The Metropole Thu Thiem, The River Thu Thiem and Empire City offer some of the largest, best-finished apartments in the city.
The trade-off is that it still feels quiet in the evenings. Daily shopping is mostly inside the buildings or a short drive away. If you work in District 1 and want a calm home with a view, it’s hard to beat.
Thao Dien: the classic expat neighbourhood
Thao Dien has been the heart of expat life for two decades. You’ll find international schools, bakeries, gyms, yoga studios and imported groceries within a few streets, plus a mix of villas, low-rise blocks and towers like Masteri Thao Dien near the metro.
The downside is traffic in the narrow lanes, especially at school drop-off. Rents for houses with gardens are high, but apartments are reasonable for what you get.
Binh Thanh riverside: big compounds and good value
Along Nguyen Huu Canh street, Vinhomes Central Park and Saigon Pearl offer riverside parks, pools and shops within a gated area, about 10–20 minutes from District 1. For the money, this is one of the best deals in the city, and you can find anything from studios to large penthouses.
District 1: for walkers and short stays
If you want to walk to work, restaurants and nightlife, District 1 is the obvious pick. Apartments tend to be smaller for the price, and noise is part of the deal, but for a first year in the city or a short assignment, the convenience is worth a lot.
Phu My Hung: calm, green and family-friendly
Phu My Hung is a master-planned area in the south of the city with wide streets, parks and some of the best-kept public spaces in Ho Chi Minh City. It has strong Korean, Japanese and Taiwanese communities, several international schools, and projects such as Phu My Hung Midtown. The commute to District 1 is longer, so it works best if you work locally or in the south.
Vinhomes Grand Park: lowest rents, longest commute
In the east of the city, Vinhomes Grand Park is a township with a huge park, schools and shops on site. Rents are a fraction of the centre, and Metro Line 1 runs nearby. It suits people who work in the east, such as the high-tech park, or who want maximum space on a tight budget.
How to choose the right area for you
- Start with your office and your children’s school – mark them on a map.
- Test the drive at 8am and 6pm on a weekday.
- Decide whether you want to walk to cafés and shops or are happy to drive.
- Compare what your budget buys in two different areas before you commit.
- View at night as well as during the day.
Find an apartment in the best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City
Once you’ve narrowed it down, browse rentals in An Khanh Ward (Thu Thiem, Thao Dien), Thanh My Tay Ward, District 1, Tan My Ward (Phu My Hung) or Long Binh Ward. New to the city? Start with our step-by-step guide to renting an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, or tell us what you need and we’ll send a shortlist.
To match the best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City with the new administrative map, see Vietcetera’s post-merger guide to Ho Chi Minh City.
Frequently asked questions
Which area of Ho Chi Minh City is best for expat families?
Thao Dien, Thu Thiem and Phu My Hung are the most popular with families because of international schools, parks and quieter streets. Thao Dien is the most walkable; Thu Thiem and Phu My Hung offer more space.
Is District 2 still called District 2?
Not officially. Since 1 July 2025, the old District 2 areas of Thao Dien and Thu Thiem are part of An Khanh Ward. People still say District 2 in conversation, and many listings show both names.
Where do single expats live in Ho Chi Minh City?
Many singles choose District 1 or Binh Thanh for nightlife and a short commute, or Thao Dien for its cafés and social scene.
What is the cheapest area for expats in Ho Chi Minh City?
Vinhomes Grand Park in Long Binh Ward has the lowest rents among the main expat options, though the commute to the centre is long. Binh Thanh offers good value closer in.
Is it safe to live in Ho Chi Minh City?
Violent crime against foreigners is rare. The main risks are bag snatching and traffic, so keep phones away from the roadside and take care on the roads.