Living in Thu Thiem: Complete Guide for Expats

In short: living in Thu Thiem means large, modern apartments with river views, wide planned streets and a 10–15 minute drive to District 1. It’s the best fit for professionals and families who want space and calm close to the centre. The trade-offs are higher rents than Binh Thanh, quiet evenings, and an area that is still being built.

Thu Thiem is the peninsula directly across the Saigon River from District 1, planned as Ho Chi Minh City’s new downtown. Since 1 July 2025 it sits in An Khanh Ward, together with Thao Dien, though most people still call it District 2. We’ve rented and sold apartments here for years, and the area has changed more in that time than any other part of the city.

What living in Thu Thiem is like day to day

Mornings are calm. Streets are wide and lined with trees, footpaths are usable, and the riverfront is gradually being turned into parks. Most towers have pools, gyms, playgrounds and convenience stores on site, so many daily needs are covered without leaving the building.

What Thu Thiem doesn’t have yet is the dense street life of Thao Dien or District 1. Cafés and restaurants are growing, especially around Sala and along Mai Chi Tho and Tran Bach Dang, but for nightlife most residents cross the river. Some plots are still construction sites, so check what’s next door before you sign.

Main apartment projects in Thu Thiem

• The Metropole Thu Thiem – facing District 1 and the Ba Son area, with some of the most sought-after river views.
• The River Thu Thiem – a lower-density riverfront project with a resort feel.
• Empire City Thu Thiem – a large mixed-use project near the tunnel, with a wide range of unit sizes.
• The Sala area – Sarimi, Sadora and Sarica towers, close to parks and the mall.
• New City Thu Thiem – a more affordable option on the edge of the area.

Rents in Thu Thiem

Rents are higher than Binh Thanh or Phu My Hung, but units are newer and larger. See live numbers on apartments for rent in An Khanh Ward, and compare other areas in our guide to apartment rent prices in Ho Chi Minh City.

Getting around

Thu Thiem is linked to District 1 by the Thu Thiem tunnel under the river, Thu Thiem bridge and the Thu Thiem 2 bridge that lands at Ba Son. Outside peak hours, most of the area is 10–15 minutes from the centre by car. At rush hour the bridges and tunnel approaches slow down, so test your commute at 8am and 6pm before committing. Grab and other ride-hailing apps are the usual way to get around.

Schools, shopping and healthcare

• Schools: the Australian International School has a campus in Thu Thiem, and the main international schools in Thao Dien and An Phu are a short drive away.
• Shopping: malls around Sala and nearby Thao Dien, supermarkets and imported-food shops, plus convenience stores in most towers.
• Healthcare: international clinics in Thao Dien and the major hospitals in District 1 are within 15–20 minutes.

Is living in Thu Thiem right for you?

Choose Thu Thiem if you work in District 1 or the east, want a big modern apartment, and prefer quiet evenings at home or in the building. If you want to walk out of your door into cafés and bars every night, Thao Dien or District 1 will suit you better. Our comparison of the best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City can help you decide.

Find your apartment for living in Thu Thiem

Browse current rentals and apartments for sale in An Khanh Ward, or contact us to arrange viewings in several Thu Thiem projects on the same day.

Living in Thu Thiem now means an An Khanh Ward address. For how the 2025 reform redrew the city, see Vietcetera’s post-merger guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

Frequently asked questions