Saigon Neighborhoods Guide

Best for: First-time visitors, history buffs, nightlife seekers, shoppers

The beating heart of Saigon and the district most visitors spend the majority of their time in. District 1 is home to virtually every major landmark — the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market. Nguyen Hue Walking Street is the city's grand pedestrian boulevard, lined with cafes and flower sellers. Dong Khoi Street is the upscale shopping corridor, while Bui Vien Walking Street is the backpacker epicenter with cheap beer and pounding music. The district is a sensory overload of motorbikes, street food vendors, colonial architecture, and modern skyscrapers — everything that makes Saigon electrifying is concentrated here.

Best for: Foodies, cafe lovers, photographers, travelers seeking authenticity

District 3 is where Saigon reveals its quieter, more authentic side. This is a residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets, colonial-era villas, and a cafe culture that rivals anything in the world. The star attraction is Tan Dinh Church — a stunning pink church that has become one of Saigon's most photographed landmarks. But the real draw is the everyday life: elderly men playing chess in parks, grandmothers selling banh mi from tiny carts, and coffee shops where locals sit for hours over a single ca phe sua da. District 3 is less touristy, more affordable, and gives you a genuine taste of Saigonese life. The local food here is exceptional — many of Saigon's best-kept culinary secrets are on these unassuming streets.

Best for: History enthusiasts, food adventurers, market lovers, culture seekers

Cholon is Saigon's Chinatown and one of the largest in the world — a sprawling, chaotic, utterly fascinating district that feels like stepping into another city entirely. Established by Chinese immigrants in the 18th century, Cholon retains a distinct Chinese-Vietnamese identity. The Binh Tay Market is the neighborhood's centerpiece — a wholesale market far more authentic and less touristy than Ben Thanh. The ornate Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess, is one of the most beautiful Chinese temples in Southeast Asia. The streets are lined with herbal medicine shops, fabric markets, gold traders, and Chinese-Vietnamese restaurants serving dishes you will not find anywhere else in Saigon. Cholon rewards the curious traveler who is willing to get lost.

Best for: Expats, brunch lovers, families, those seeking Western comforts

Across the Saigon River via the Thu Thiem Tunnel or bridge, District 2 — particularly the Thao Dien neighborhood — is Saigon's premier expat enclave. This is where you will find artisan bakeries, yoga studios, craft beer bars, international schools, and brunch spots that would not look out of place in Melbourne or Brooklyn. The food scene is a mix of excellent Vietnamese cuisine and high-quality international restaurants — Italian, Japanese, French, and fusion concepts. The area feels distinctly different from central Saigon: wider streets, more greenery, lower buildings, and a noticeably more relaxed pace. Thao Dien is where Saigon's foreign residents live and eat, and the quality of establishments reflects their demanding palates.

Best for: Korean food lovers, families, long-term visitors, those seeking calm

District 7 is Saigon's most modern and planned neighborhood, centered around the Phu My Hung development — a South Korean-funded urban zone with wide boulevards, manicured parks, shopping malls, and apartment towers. It feels nothing like the rest of Saigon. The area has a large Korean expat community, which means some of the best Korean food outside of Seoul — authentic barbecue, kimchi jjigae, and bibimbap restaurants line the streets. There are also excellent Japanese and Chinese restaurants. The Crescent Mall and SC VivoCity provide air-conditioned shopping. District 7 is where Saigonese families aspire to live for the space and tranquility, but tourists rarely visit — which is part of its charm.