Where to Stay in Saigon

Where to Stay in Saigon

Best districts by traveler type, budget hostels to luxury hotels, and expert booking tips to find your perfect Saigon accommodation

Choosing the right district is the most important accommodation decision in Saigon. The city is sprawling and traffic-heavy, so your location determines your daily experience. First-timers belong in District 1, cafe lovers and those seeking authenticity gravitate to District 3, families prefer District 7 / Phu My Hung, and budget travelers find their tribe in the Bui Vien / Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area. Get the district right and you will love your Saigon experience. The great news? Unlike many world cities, Saigon offers extraordinary accommodation value across all budget levels.

Best Districts to Stay

First-Timers & Sightseers

District 1 (City Centre)

500,000-3,000,000 VND/night

Saigon's historic heart and the most convenient base for sightseeing. Walking distance to Notre-Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the Saigon River. The highest concentration of restaurants, rooftop bars, and nightlife. Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to international luxury chains. Tourist-heavy but the undeniable centre of the action.

Cafes, Culture & Authenticity

District 3 (Local Vibe)

400,000-1,500,000 VND/night

Saigon's most charming residential district with tree-lined streets, hidden cafes, and a genuinely local atmosphere. Home to the famous pink Tan Dinh Church and some of the city's best street food. A 15-20 minute walk or short Grab ride from District 1 sights. More affordable than the tourist centre with significantly more character. The best district for cafe lovers and digital nomads.

Families & Modern Comfort

District 7 / Phu My Hung

600,000-2,000,000 VND/night

A modern, planned neighbourhood with wide sidewalks, parks, international food, and a safe suburban feel. The Crescent Mall and SC VivoCity provide family entertainment and dining. Popular with expat families. Feels more like a modern Asian city than traditional Vietnam. 20-30 minutes from central Saigon by Grab. Best for families who want a calm, orderly base.

Expats, Brunch & Riverside

District 2 / Thao Dien

500,000-2,500,000 VND/night

Saigon's trendy expat enclave across the river from District 1. Thao Dien is packed with brunch spots, yoga studios, international restaurants, and boutique shops. The riverside location offers a different perspective on the city. Connected to District 1 by the Thu Thiem Bridge. Great for travelers who want international comfort with a neighbourhood feel. Growing rapidly.

Budget & Backpackers

Bui Vien / Pham Ngu Lao

150,000-500,000 VND/night

Saigon's legendary backpacker strip with the cheapest accommodation, street food stalls, cheap beer, travel agencies, and a buzzing social atmosphere every night. Bui Vien Street transforms into a party zone after dark. The area is well-worn and tourist-heavy but the social energy is unmatched. Perfect for budget travelers who want to meet people. Can be noisy — bring earplugs if you are a light sleeper.

Budget Picks

Under 500,000 VND/night

The Common Room Project

District 1

200,000-300,000 VND/dorm

A design-focused hostel with rooftop bar, co-working space, and pod-style beds with privacy curtains. Regular social events make it easy to meet people. Private rooms from 600,000 VND. Slightly above budget hostel prices but worth the upgrade for the quality and atmosphere.

Long Hostel

Pham Ngu Lao

150,000-200,000 VND/dorm

A long-running budget favourite with helpful staff, clean rooms, and a friendly common area. Free walking tours and tour booking assistance. Private rooms from 400,000 VND. One of the best-value accommodations in all of Saigon. Central backpacker location.

Town House 50

Near Bui Vien

180,000-250,000 VND/dorm

A mid-range hostel with a rooftop bar, comfortable beds, and regular social events. Clean and well-designed with air conditioning and privacy curtains. Private rooms from 500,000 VND. Good balance of budget-friendly prices and quality for the Bui Vien area.

Mid-Range Picks

500,000-1,500,000 VND/night

800,000-1,500,000 VND/night

Boutique Hotels in District 1

Numerous charming boutique hotels in restored colonial-era buildings offer character, comfort, and prime locations. Look for properties on Dong Khoi Street and the surrounding area. Many include breakfast, rooftop pools, and excellent service at a fraction of international boutique hotel prices.

500,000-1,000,000 VND/night

Apartments in District 3

Self-catering apartments on Booking.com and Airbnb offer excellent value with kitchen facilities, more space, and a neighbourhood feel. District 3 apartments put you in the heart of local cafe culture. Perfect for longer stays or travelers wanting independence and a local experience.

700,000-1,500,000 VND/night

Hotels in Thao Dien (D2)

The Thao Dien area of District 2 has a growing selection of mid-range hotels and serviced apartments with a more relaxed, expat-neighbourhood atmosphere. Excellent brunch restaurants and cafes within walking distance. The riverside location adds charm.

Luxury Picks

2,500,000+ VND/night

Iconic5,000,000-15,000,000+ VND

Park Hyatt Saigon

District 1 (Lam Son Square)

Saigon's most prestigious hotel, overlooking the Opera House on Lam Son Square. Elegant colonial-inspired rooms, a stunning pool, the acclaimed Opera restaurant, and impeccable service. Steps from Dong Khoi Street and the city's best dining. The gold standard of Saigon luxury.

Iconic4,000,000-12,000,000+ VND

The Reverie Saigon

District 1 (Nguyen Hue)

An opulent Italian-designed hotel on Nguyen Hue Walking Street with jaw-dropping interiors. Every room features hand-selected Italian furnishings. The rooftop bar and multiple restaurants are among Saigon's finest. Over-the-top luxury that must be seen to be believed.

Exceptional2,500,000-8,000,000+ VND

Hotel des Arts Saigon

District 3

A stylish art-themed hotel in District 3 with a stunning rooftop pool and bar offering panoramic city views. The Vietnamese-contemporary design throughout is beautiful. The District 3 location offers a more local atmosphere while still being close to everything. Excellent value for a luxury property.

Booking Tips

Best Booking Platforms

  • Booking.com: Best overall selection of Saigon hotels with free cancellation options and frequent flash deals
  • Agoda: Often has the best prices for Southeast Asian hotels — compare with Booking.com before deciding
  • Hostelworld: Best for comparing and booking hostels — read recent reviews carefully for updated information
  • Airbnb: Excellent for apartments in District 3 and District 2 at good prices, especially for longer stays
  • Direct booking: Luxury hotels like Park Hyatt and The Reverie sometimes offer better rates and perks directly

Timing Your Booking

  • Peak season (Dec-Feb): Book 3-4 weeks ahead for best selection — this is dry season and prices peak
  • Tet (Vietnamese New Year): Book 2-3 months ahead — the biggest holiday, many businesses close and prices surge
  • Rainy season (May-Nov): Lowest prices, 20-40% discounts — book 1-2 weeks ahead is usually sufficient
  • Shoulder (Mar-Apr, Oct-Nov): Good value with reasonable weather — book 2 weeks ahead for best deals
  • Last-minute deals: Agoda and Booking.com often offer steep same-week discounts on unsold rooms

Where to Stay in Saigon - FAQs

District 1 is the best area for first-timers. It puts you within walking distance of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, and the Saigon River promenade. The area has the highest concentration of restaurants, rooftop bars, and hotels. Prices range from 150,000 VND hostels to 5,000,000+ VND luxury hotels. The only downsides are higher prices and tourist crowds.
District 3 is excellent — many experienced Saigon visitors prefer it to District 1. It has the best cafe culture, a more local atmosphere, beautiful tree-lined streets, and the famous pink Tan Dinh Church. It is a short Grab ride or 15-20 minute walk from District 1 sights. Hotels and apartments are 20-30% cheaper than District 1. Perfect for travelers who want authentic Saigon character over tourist convenience.
District 7 / Phu My Hung is the safest, most modern area in Saigon. It was purpose-built with wide sidewalks, parks, international schools, and modern shopping malls. It feels more like Singapore than Vietnam. Very popular with expat families and those wanting a quieter, more orderly environment. The trade-off is that it is 20-30 minutes from central Saigon sights by Grab and lacks the atmospheric charm of the inner districts.
The Bui Vien / Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area in District 1 offers the cheapest beds at 100,000-200,000 VND per night for hostel dorms. Budget hotels in this area start from 250,000 VND. For cheap private rooms away from the tourist zone, District 3 and Binh Thanh district offer good value at 300,000-600,000 VND per night. Airbnb apartments in outer districts can be very affordable for longer stays.
The rainy season (May-November) offers the lowest hotel prices — 20-40% cheaper than the dry season peak. Tet (Vietnamese New Year, usually late January or February) is the most expensive period — book 2-3 months ahead. Weekdays are slightly cheaper than weekends. Booking 2-4 weeks ahead gives the best combination of availability and price. Last-minute deals are common on Booking.com and Agoda.

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