16/04/2015
For those who gonna relocate to Sai Gon, Vietnam. These are top 4 best districts to live in HCM City. Let’s check it right now and decide where to stay :)
DISTRICT 1
Considered to be the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 1 is the center for all financial, commercial, and administrative activity. Although it is still Vietnamese in character, this district has felt the effects of globalization and development most heavily.
Restaurants and shops carrying cuisines and goods from around the world can be found here along with expensive, upscale hotels such as The Majestic or The Sheraton.
For those with an eye for shopping, District 1 has an ever-expanding commercial scene, with high-end stores like Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs lining D**g Khoi street and Nguyen Hue.
It is also home to the majority of museums, tourist attractions, and historical sites such as Ben Thanh Market, The Reunification Palace, or The War Remnants Museum.
District 1 offers some of the highest living standards in the city with a range of serviced apartment buildings. Rent here will be much more expensive than in other districts.
As District 1 is the city centre, it is one of the busiest districts and is where most of the action happens. Though traffic within the district is not terrible, the traffic entering and leaving District 1 can get quite heavy, especially during rush hour.
DISTRICT 3
District 3 is considered by many to be the ideal place to live in Ho Chi Minh City. A common expression is, "go out in District 1, eat in District 5, and live in District 3".
The area's close proximity to the sights and activity of District 1 allows for expats to stay close to the action but also escape for more peaceful, quieter sleep.
District 3 offers apartments (serviced or non-serviced), houses tucked down alleys and old French colonial villas. Prices will vary depending on the type of accommodation but expect them to be cheaper than District 1.
Many young expats opting to stay close to the bars, restaurants, and shops of District 1 choose to live in this area as it still offers a range of recreational activities and parks.
As with many other districts, motorbikes and taxis are the best form of transportation. Be aware, though, that the small streets of this district make it prone to traffic congestion and traffic jams.
DISTRICT 5
Accounting for the largest Chinese Vietnamese population, it is no surprise that District 5 is known as the China Town of Ho Chi Minh City.
District 5 offers a more prominent cultural experience both in food and architecture, as it is famous for its street food and holds the largest number of pagodas and temples.
It is not as expensive to live here as it is in District 1, and is similarly priced to District 3. Commutes range from 10 to 20 minutes on a motorbike.
Public bus transportation to District 1 is very convenient and it will take about 40 minutes to get to Ben Thanh Market. Several hospitals can be found in this district as well.
DISTRICT 7
Many expats living in Ho Chi Minh City choose to make District 7 their home. The district is filled with wide, tree-lined streets surrounded by high-quality apartment buildings and villas for long-term residents.
There is little development outside of housing accommodation, so it is a perfect spot to enjoy personal space as well as extensive greenery.
Phu My Hung is the most popular area of District 7, catering to expats with international schools, swimming pools, Western grocery stores, and an increasing number of restaurants and shops. Do not expect much in terms of nightlife activities or street life, however.
The allure of District 7 is its peaceful, quiet atmosphere. Designed with a wealthy, high-income population in mind, houses here are more expensive than other areas of the city. District 7 offers a peaceful lifestyle for families away from the noise and chaos of the city.
