Ho Chi Minh City travel guide

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic capital and generates a large share of the national economy. It is the most international city in the country: consulates, chambers of commerce and a sizable French community.

Saigon's energy is unmatched. Everything moves fast here: startups, real estate, restaurants, nightlife. If you want a stimulating move abroad with concrete career opportunities, Ho Chi Minh City is the obvious choice. The flip side: pollution, noise and traffic jams are part of daily life.

District 1 (downtown). The historic and business heart. Skyscrapers, high-end restaurants and consulates. The most expensive area for rent.

District 2 (Thao Dien / Thu Duc City). The expat neighborhood par excellence. Villas, international schools, brunch spots and a village feel.

District 3. Authentic and trendy. Independent cafes, lively alleys and colonial architecture.

District 7 (Phu My Hung). A planned, clean and quiet district, with many Korean and Japanese families. Schools and parks.

Binh Thanh. Booming and excellent value for money, with views over the Saigon River and Landmark 81. The most affordable of these five areas.

Ho Chi Minh City is noticeably more expensive than Da Nang. A couple's monthly budget breaks down into the usual items:

• Rent (two-bedroom, furnished): the largest item by far.
• Electricity and water: higher in a hot climate where the air conditioning runs most of the year.
• Fiber internet and a mobile data plan: both inexpensive.
• Groceries and local restaurants: eating local keeps this line low.
• Scooter rental: a monthly rental is the norm.
• Health insurance: an international policy is one of the biggest fixed costs after rent.

Rents in the expat districts (District 2 and District 7) are what push the budget up. A single person needs a noticeably smaller budget than a couple. For current figures, see our [cost of living in Vietnam](/en/cost-of-living) page.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's startup and business hub, and it has the densest coworking offer in the country:

• Dreamplex. The local leader, with several spaces across Saigon. Carefully designed, with an active community.
• CirCO. A creative atmosphere, in District 3.
• Toong. A national network with several addresses.
• WeWork. International standard, in District 1.
• The Hive. An international community with regular events.

Newer buildings have the fastest fiber. Cafes built for working, such as The Workshop or Shin Coffee, offer reliable Wi-Fi.

Ho Chi Minh City is the liveliest city in Vietnam after dark. The nightlife is varied and never really stops:

• Bui Vien Street. The backpacker strip, loud and lively, with very cheap beer.
• Rooftop bars. Chill Sky Bar, Social Club, Air 360. Cocktails at international prices.
• District 2. Craft beer bars, wine bars and a relaxed expat crowd.
• Live music. Yoko, Acoustic Bar.
• Clubs. Lush, Envy, Heart of Darkness.

The late-night food scene is just as rich: street stalls stay open until 2 a.m.

Ho Chi Minh City has the widest choice of schools in Vietnam for expat families:

• Lycée Français International Marguerite Duras. Accredited by the AEFE (the agency for French schools abroad), from preschool through the baccalauréat.
• British International School (BIS). British curriculum, with a strong academic level.
• International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC). IB program, with a modern campus in Thu Duc.
• European International School (EIS). Multilingual.
• Australian International School (AIS). Australian curriculum.

Tuition varies widely from one school to another, and the French school is among the more affordable options. Most international schools are in District 2, District 7 and Binh Thanh.

Ho Chi Minh City has the best healthcare facilities in the country:

• FV Hospital (Franco-Vietnamese). European standards, French-speaking staff, all services.
• Vinmec Central Park. A high-end private hospital with state-of-the-art equipment.
• Family Medical Practice. An international clinic with 24/7 emergency care and expat doctors.
• Columbia Asia. General care and specialists at reasonable prices.

The quality of care in private clinics is excellent. Budget for international health insurance.

Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City is legendary: millions of scooters hit the road every day, and rush-hour traffic jams are unavoidable.

• Scooter. Essential for getting through traffic, usually rented by the month.
• Grab / Be. Motorbike taxis and cars. Rides within the city are cheap and very convenient.
• Metro. Line 1 (Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien) has been running since 2024. More lines are under construction.
• Bus. An extensive but slow network, and very cheap.
• Taxi. Vinasun and Mai Linh are reliable and inexpensive.

Tip: avoid traveling between 7:30 and 9 a.m. and between 5 and 7 p.m. Traffic can double your travel time.

Visa. Travelers from the United States, Australia, India and Canada need a visa for Vietnam. The e-visa, valid for up to 90 days, is issued on the official government portal, evisa.gov.vn. If you would rather hand off the paperwork, [visa-vietnam.app](https://visa-vietnam.app) is run by the same publisher as this site.