New City Thu Thiem

New City Thu Thiem is an apartment project by Thuan Viet on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, the main avenue running through the Thu Thiem area, now An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Its three towers – Babylon, Venice and Hawaii – were handed over in the late 2010s, and the project has since become a well-priced option for people who want to live minutes from District 1 via the Saigon River Tunnel without paying the premium of the new riverfront towers.

Quick facts

Location on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard

Mai Chi Tho Boulevard links the Saigon River Tunnel with the Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway and the eastern districts, so New City sits on one of the city’s most important east–west routes. In practical terms:

• District 1 is about 5–10 minutes away through the tunnel outside peak hours.
• An Phu and Thao Dien, with their international schools, supermarkets and restaurants, are a short drive north.
• The expressway towards Long Thanh International Airport and Dong Nai starts close by.
• The new central areas of Thu Thiem – the riverside park, the planned square and new office towers – are next door.

The flip side of a location on a major boulevard is traffic noise. Units facing Mai Chi Tho are livelier; those facing the internal side are noticeably quieter.

The three towers

• Babylon – the tower closest to the boulevard, popular with tenants who prioritise quick access.
• Venice – mid-position, with a mix of views over the Thu Thiem area.
• Hawaii – on the quieter side, preferred by families and long-term owners.

The towers share a podium with the main amenities, and ground floors host shops and services.

Amenities

• Swimming pool and children’s pool
• Gym
• Children’s playground
• Retail and services on the ground floors
• 24/7 security and on-site management
• Basement parking for cars and motorbikes

The amenity package is practical rather than lavish. That is part of why management fees and prices are more modest than in the riverfront luxury projects nearby.

Apartment types

• 1-bedroom: compact units suited to single professionals
• 2-bedroom: about 75–90 m², the most popular size for both owners and tenants
• 3-bedroom: about 100–120 m², for families
• Duplexes and penthouses: a small number on the top floors

Layouts are generally more generous than in many newer mid-segment projects, which is a selling point for families who need real bedrooms rather than “plus” rooms.

Buying at New City Thu Thiem

All sales are on the secondary market. New City’s price per square metre is considerably below new riverfront projects in Thu Thiem such as The Metropole or The River, which is its main attraction: you get the Thu Thiem address and the tunnel access for less. Value differences within the project come from tower, floor, view (Thu Thiem skyline vs. boulevard) and interior condition.

Before you buy, check the ownership certificate status for the unit, the management fee balance and any parking fees. Foreign buyers should confirm the remaining foreign ownership quota in the tower.

Renting at New City Thu Thiem

Tenants include professionals working in District 1 who want a quick commute without District 1 rents, young families and expats who like being between Thu Thiem and An Phu. Furnished 2-bedroom units are the bulk of the rental market, typically on 12-month leases with a one- or two-month deposit. Rents sit in the mid-range for the area, which keeps vacancy relatively low for well-kept units.

How New City compares

Living there

Day to day, New City feels like a well-run residential complex rather than a showpiece. Residents use the pool and gym, walk to the shops on the ground floor, and drive or ride to Thao Dien and An Phu for restaurants and international schools. The rapid development of Thu Thiem around the project – new offices, parks and residential towers – is steadily adding services within walking distance.

Who is it for?

• Families who want genuine 2- and 3-bedroom layouts close to District 1 at a reasonable price.
• Professionals who commute to District 1 and value the tunnel access.
• Investors looking for steady mid-market rental demand in an area with long-term growth.

Viewing checklist

• Compare a boulevard-facing and an inside-facing unit for noise.
• Check the age of air-conditioners and appliances in older interiors.
• Ask whether the unit includes a car parking slot.
• Confirm the status of the pink book before paying a deposit.

Thu Thiem around the project

When New City was handed over, much of the land around it was empty. Today the picture is very different. Along Mai Chi Tho and in the central Thu Thiem area, new residential towers, offices and public spaces are rising, and the riverside park on the eastern bank has become a favourite evening spot. Each new project adds restaurants, shops and services, which benefits existing residents without them having to move.

There is also a downside: construction. Depending on your tower and view, nearby building sites can mean noise and dust for a while. Ask what is planned on adjacent plots before you choose a unit.

Investment perspective

New City offers a different proposition from the riverfront luxury projects: lower entry price, larger layouts and a broad pool of mid-market tenants. Its value is tied to the growth of Thu Thiem as a whole – as the district fills in and infrastructure improves, demand for well-priced homes with tunnel access should remain strong. Owners who keep interiors fresh and price rents sensibly usually find tenants quickly.

Frequently asked questions