Ho Chi Minh City -- still universally called Saigon by locals -- is a 13-million-person metropolis that runs on motorcycle engines and iced coffee. The city sprawls across 24 districts, but as a visitor, you only need to worry about four or five of them. The difference between those districts, though, is enormous: colonial French boulevards in one, tree-lined expat enclaves in another, gleaming towers in a third.
Choosing where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City shapes everything from your morning pho to your evening rooftop cocktail. Here is our district-by-district breakdown.
District 1: The Historic Centre and Tourist Hub
District 1 is where most visitors start and many never leave. It contains virtually everything on the typical Saigon sightseeing list: Notre-Dame Cathedral (currently under renovation), the Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market, the War Remnants Museum, and the Independence Palace. It is also the city's commercial heart, home to the best restaurants, rooftop bars, and shopping.
Why Stay Here
Walking distance to every major attraction. The densest concentration of restaurants, from street-food stalls in the alleys behind Bui Vien to fine dining at the rooftop of the Social Club. The Saigon River waterfront is undergoing a transformation that is adding parkland and promenades.
Best Hotels in District 1
**Park Hyatt Saigon** anchors Lam Son Square, directly across from the Opera House. It is the most consistently excellent luxury hotel in the city, with rooms that blend colonial elegance with contemporary comfort. Rates from USD 280/night. On our platform, it maintains one of the highest SEA Hotel Scores in Vietnam thanks to exceptional service ratings.
**The Reverie Saigon** occupies the top floors of Times Square on Nguyen Hue walking street. If the Park Hyatt is understated luxury, The Reverie is its flamboyant cousin -- Italian marble everywhere, Versace and Giorgetti furnishings, and one of the most dramatic hotel lobbies in Southeast Asia. Rooms from USD 250/night. We often see better rates on Booking.com than Agoda for this property.
**Hotel des Arts Saigon - MGallery** delivers boutique luxury at a friendlier price point. The art-themed rooms and excellent Saigon Kitchen restaurant make it a smart choice from USD 130/night.
**Caravelle Saigon** is the heritage pick -- a wartime journalists' hangout turned business hotel. The rooftop Saigon Saigon Bar offers the most storied sunset view in town. Rooms from USD 120/night.
**For budget travellers**: The backpacker zone around Bui Vien Street in the Pham Ngu Lao area offers hostels and budget hotels from USD 15/night, though the noise and party atmosphere are not for everyone.
Who Should Stay in District 1
First-time visitors, history buffs, foodies who want restaurant variety, and anyone who prefers walking to riding in traffic.
The Drawback
District 1 is Saigon's most expensive area for hotels and dining. The Bui Vien backpacker zone can be loud and chaotic. And while the district is walkable by Saigon standards, "walkable" still means navigating motorcycles on the sidewalk and crossing rivers of two-wheeled traffic.
District 3: The Charming Local Favourite
Directly north of District 1, District 3 is the neighbourhood that Saigon's creative class calls home. Tree-lined streets, French colonial villas converted into coffee shops, and a slower pace make it feel like District 1's cooler, more relaxed sibling.
Why Stay Here
District 3 is walkable to most District 1 attractions (15-20 minutes) but significantly quieter and more atmospheric. The coffee scene here is arguably Saigon's best -- Okkio, The Workshop's second location, and dozens of hidden courtyard cafes. Eating here is cheaper than District 1 with no drop in quality.
Best Hotels in District 3
The hotel scene in District 3 is more boutique than big-brand.
**Fusion Suites Saigon** offers apartment-style suites with kitchenettes from USD 70/night -- excellent for longer stays. The included spa treatments are a unique perk.
**Nikko Saigon** provides Japanese-standard service and reliability from USD 90/night, popular with business travellers who want a quieter base.
**For budget**: Ma Maison Boutique Hotel offers charming French-colonial-style rooms from USD 45/night.
Who Should Stay in District 3
Repeat visitors, longer-stay travellers, coffee enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a local neighbourhood feel within easy reach of the centre.
Thao Dien (District 2): The Expat Village
Cross the Saigon River via the Thu Thiem Bridge and you enter Thao Dien, a leafy enclave that feels more like suburban Singapore than downtown Saigon. International schools, organic grocery stores, craft breweries, and brunch spots line the streets, catering to the large expat community.
Why Stay Here
Thao Dien offers a radically different Saigon experience. Wide streets, actual pavements, riverside walks, and a cosmopolitan dining scene make it feel like a different city. The area has gentrified rapidly -- new apartment towers and lifestyle malls are springing up, and the Metro Line 1 (now partially operational) connects Thao Dien to District 1 in minutes.
Best Hotels in Thao Dien
**Mia Saigon** is the standout -- a luxury boutique hotel with a riverside infinity pool that makes you forget you are in a city of 13 million. Rooms from USD 150/night, with some of the best breakfast spreads in Saigon.
**An Lam Retreats Saigon River** pushes further into seclusion, offering a resort-like experience accessible only by boat transfer. Villas from USD 200/night.
**The Lient Hotel** and **Villa Song Saigon** provide intimate, design-led alternatives in the USD 80-120 range.
Who Should Stay in Thao Dien
Families, expats visiting friends, travellers who want peace and greenery, and those arriving from the hectic north who want a gentler introduction to Vietnamese city life.
The Drawback
Thao Dien is a 20-30 minute drive from District 1 (longer in rush hour before the metro). You will miss out on the chaotic energy that defines Saigon, and the dining options, while good, cannot match District 1's depth.
District 7 (Phu My Hung): The New Town
South of the centre, District 7's Phu My Hung development is a planned urban area built on reclaimed marshland. It is orderly, green, and feels more like a Korean or Taiwanese new town than a Vietnamese city.
Why Stay Here
Honestly, most tourists should not -- unless you are visiting for business at the nearby industrial zones or Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre. District 7 is comfortable, safe, and well-planned, but it lacks the energy and character that draw people to Saigon.
Best Hotels in District 7
**Grand Mercure Saigon** and **Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport** are the main options, offering business-standard rooms from USD 60-90/night.
Who Should Stay in District 7
Business travellers with meetings in the southern districts, families wanting a calm base near international schools, and long-stay visitors who prioritise modern infrastructure over atmosphere.
Binh Thanh: The Up-and-Coming Alternative
Wedged between District 1 and Thao Dien, Binh Thanh is Saigon's transitional district -- rapidly gentrifying with new apartment towers, coffee shops, and co-working spaces. The Landmark 81 tower (Southeast Asia's tallest building) dominates the skyline, and the Vinhomes Central Park development at its base has added greenery, running paths, and riverside promenades.
Best Hotels in Binh Thanh
**Vinpearl Landmark 81** occupies the upper floors of the tower, offering vertigo-inducing views from USD 120/night. The infinity pool on the 76th floor is genuinely breathtaking.
Who Should Stay in Binh Thanh
Travellers who want modern infrastructure and views, longer-stay visitors, and those splitting time between District 1 and Thao Dien.
Getting Around Between Districts
Saigon's transport options have improved significantly:
- **Metro Line 1** now connects Ben Thanh (District 1) through Thao Dien to the eastern suburbs. It is fast, cheap, and air-conditioned. - **Grab** (the Southeast Asian Uber) remains the default for most trips. A ride from District 1 to Thao Dien costs around VND 80,000-120,000 (USD 3-5). - **Walking** is surprisingly viable within District 1, once you get comfortable crossing the street (tip: walk at a steady pace and let the motorcycles flow around you). - **Motorbike taxis** via Grab are the fastest way to cut through traffic but require a degree of courage.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Our Verdict
For most visitors, **District 1** is the clear winner. It puts everything within reach and offers the widest range of hotels at every budget. If you are staying for more than four days, consider splitting your time: start in District 1 for sightseeing, then move to **Thao Dien** or **District 3** for a change of pace.
Compare hotel prices across all districts on our [Ho Chi Minh City destination page](/destinations/ho-chi-minh-city) -- rates vary significantly between platforms, and we have seen savings of 20% or more by checking multiple sources.
Best Time to Visit
Saigon has two seasons: wet (May-November) and dry (December-April). The dry season is more comfortable for walking and sightseeing, but the wet season brings brief afternoon downpours that cool the city and drop hotel rates by 15-25%. The absolute best value window is June-August, when you can score luxury rooms at mid-range prices.
Book your Saigon hotels through our [comparison tool](/best-hotels/ho-chi-minh-city) to ensure you are getting the best available rate across all major platforms.
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