Ho Chi Minh City districts: where to stay and what they are called now
Where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City: former District 1 (now Saigon, Ben Thanh and Tan Dinh wards), District 3, Cho Lon, Thao Dien and Phu My Hung. How they differ, how to get there by metro and why the map shows new names.
Short answer: for a first trip, the former District 1 is the easiest place to stay — you can walk to Ben Thanh market, the Opera House and Nguyen Hue street, and the first metro station is there. The former District 3 next door is quieter and more local. For longer stays, foreigners usually pick Thao Dien or Phu My Hung. Since 1 July 2025 Ho Chi Minh City no longer officially has districts: maps and addresses now show new wards (phường), and it helps to know their names.
| Former district | What it is called now | Known for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh, Cau Ong Lanh wards | business centre, Ben Thanh market, Opera House, Nguyen Hue, Bui Vien | first trip, 2–4 days |
| District 3 | Ban Co, Xuan Hoa, Nhieu Loc wards | residential area next to the centre, cafés, War Remnants Museum | quieter stay close to the centre |
| District 4 | Vinh Hoi, Khanh Hoi, Xom Chieu wards | street food and seafood, Vinh Khanh street | an evening of food, not necessarily a stay |
| District 5 (Cho Lon) | Cho Lon, An Dong, Cho Quan wards | historic Chinatown, temples, tailors | anyone curious about Chinatown |
| Thao Dien (former District 2) | An Khanh ward | expat families, Western food, international schools | long stays, families |
| Phu My Hung (former District 7) | Tan Hung, Tan My, Phu Thuan and neighbouring wards | calm new area, Korean and Japanese food | long stays, families |
Why can't I find "District 1" on the map?
Since 1 July 2025 Ho Chi Minh City has had no district (quận) level: the city moved to a two-tier government, and 168 new wards and communes replaced the districts and old wards (VietnamPlus, 1 July 2025). The boundaries were set by Resolution 1685/NQ-UBTVQH15 of the National Assembly Standing Committee, adopted on 16 June 2025. People still say "District 1" and everyone understands, but Google Maps, Grab and your hotel address will show the new ward name — for example Phường Bến Thành instead of Quận 1.
What is District 1 called now?
The former District 1 is now four wards (Resolution 1685, Article 1). Saigon ward (Phường Sài Gòn) is the former Ben Nghe with the riverfront, the Opera House and Nguyen Hue. Ben Thanh ward covers Ben Thanh market and the former Pham Ngu Lao ward with Bui Vien street. Tan Dinh ward is the north, with the pink Tan Dinh church. Cau Ong Lanh ward is the south, by the canal. For a visitor it is still one centre: 20–30 minutes on foot from end to end.
Where should I stay on a first trip to Ho Chi Minh City?
For a first trip of 2–4 days, Saigon or Ben Thanh ward in the former District 1 is the most convenient. You can walk to the Independence Palace, the cathedral, the post office, Ben Thanh market and Nguyen Hue street, and metro line 1 starts at Ben Thanh station. A one-day walking route is in our guide what to see in Ho Chi Minh City.
Is it worth staying on Bui Vien?
Bui Vien is Ho Chi Minh City's best-known nightlife street, with small bars, beer gardens and budget services for tourists (Wikipedia). It is in Ben Thanh ward, 10–15 minutes' walk from the market. Stay right on Bui Vien only if the bars are why you came: the music goes on late into the night. If you want to sleep, look in the side lanes nearby or in Saigon ward and come to Bui Vien in the evening.
What is District 3 like?
The former District 3 is a residential and shopping area next to the centre, now Ban Co, Xuan Hoa and Nhieu Loc wards (Vietcetera, 27 July 2025). It has the War Remnants Museum, cafés around Turtle Lake and the walkway along the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal. Ben Thanh is 15–20 minutes on foot or a couple of minutes by Grab. It suits people who want somewhere calmer than District 1 without spending time on the road.
Thao Dien or Phu My Hung for a long stay?
Thao Dien and Phu My Hung are where foreigners settle for longer. Thao Dien (now An Khanh ward) is popular with families: Western food and international schools (Vietcetera, 27 July 2025). The metro runs from there to the centre: Thao Dien and An Phu stations on line 1, straight through to Ben Thanh. Phu My Hung (former District 7) is calmer, with wide pavements and Korean and Japanese restaurants; there is no metro, so people take Grab into town. For a 3–5 day trip, both are a bit far from the sights.
How do I get around by metro?
Metro line 1 runs from the centre to the north-east: Ben Thanh, Opera House, Ba Son, Van Thanh, Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu and on towards Thu Duc, 14 stations in all (Wikipedia). Since 2 January 2026 it runs from 5:00 to 22:00 Monday to Thursday and until 23:00 on Fridays and weekends (VOH, 24 December 2025). Districts 3, 4, 5 and Phu My Hung are off the metro; use Grab or the bus. How to pay and what to choose is in taxi, Grab and metro in Ho Chi Minh City.
What about the rainy season?
From September to November, high tides (triều cường) and downpours flood low streets along the Saigon river and canals: reports from 2025–2026 name Binh Thanh, Nha Be, the former District 7 and Binh Dong, but not the former District 1. If you are coming in those months, check on the map that your hotel is not in a low spot by the river, and allow extra time for traffic after a downpour. When the rains and tides come is in Ho Chi Minh City weather by month.
FAQ
Which area of Ho Chi Minh City is best for tourists? On a first trip, the former District 1, in Saigon or Ben Thanh ward: the main sights are within walking distance and the metro starts there.
Does District 1 still exist? Not officially: districts were abolished on 1 July 2025, and the former District 1 is now Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh and Cau Ong Lanh wards. People still use the old name.
Which ward is Bui Vien in now? Ben Thanh ward (Phường Bến Thành), which absorbed the former Pham Ngu Lao ward.
What is Thao Dien called now? An Khanh ward (Phường An Khánh). It combines Thao Dien, Thu Thiem, An Loi Dong, An Khanh and part of An Phu.
Where do foreigners live in Ho Chi Minh City? For long stays, mostly in Thao Dien (An Khanh) and Phu My Hung, in the former Districts 2 and 7.
Does the metro go to Phu My Hung? No. Line 1 runs from the centre to the north-east, through Thao Dien to Thu Duc. Take Grab or a taxi to Phu My Hung.
How long from the airport to District 1? 20–25 minutes by taxi or Grab without traffic, 45–60 minutes on bus 109. Details are in Tan Son Nhat airport to the city centre.