The 24 Districts of Saigon: Stories, Atmospheres, and Secrets of a Global City

Saigon: A Mosaic of 24 Districts

Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, is an urban kaleidoscope made up of 24 districts, each with its own history, atmosphere, and legends1. From the frenzy of District 1 to the calm of the suburbs, each district was designed to accommodate the city's explosive growth while retaining the mark of its inhabitants and successive waves of migration1. Let’s dive into this living patchwork where every neighborhood tells a page of the great Saigonese saga.

District 1: The Vibrant Heart

The economic, tourist, and cultural center, District 1 symbolizes modern Saigon1. Between the Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, and the markets, you can see traces of French colonization and the buzz of contemporary rooftops1. District 1’s story is one of a crossroads where tradition and modernity meet, where old residences stand beside skyscrapers.

District 2: The Expatriate Metamorphosis

Once a marshy area, District 2 (especially Thao Dien) has become the haunt of expatriates thanks to redesigned urban planning, international schools, and a cosmopolitan neighborhood life1. Here you’ll find art galleries and trendy cafés in a setting rivaling Western capitals.

District 3: Quiet Elegance

A quintessential residential district, District 3 is known for its shaded avenues, colonial villas, and hidden temples1. It also features the Xa Loi Pagoda and many retro-style cafés1. The history of District 3 is that of a Saigonese bourgeoisie attached to its roots and a gentle way of life.

District 4: The Street Food Temple

Sandwiched between river branches, District 4 has long had a reputation as a lively, sometimes notorious neighborhood1. Today, it’s best known as a street food paradise, especially on Vinh Khanh and Ton Dan streets, where you can enjoy seafood, skewers, and street soups at any hour1. District 4 is the belly of Saigon, where flavors tell the story of a city that never sleeps.

Sidebar: Le Jardin Secret, the Mini Parisian Palace of District 4

In the heart of District 4, Le Jardin Secret Hotel is a true anomaly: a mini palace with neoclassical elegance inspired by Parisian mansions1. Address: 228 Bến Vân Đồn. Behind its discreet façade lies a refined world, blending French furniture, Indochinese touches, and a secret garden1. This place attracts all Vietnamese influences, from young artists to couples seeking romantic photos1. Le Jardin Secret’s story is one of a meeting between Parisian chic and Saigonese warmth.

District 5: Old Chinatown (Cholon)

District 5 is Cholon, the largest Chinatown in Vietnam1. Founded by Chinese communities fleeing political unrest, it’s become a bustling commercial center, famous for its temples, herbalists, and Binh Tay Market. Cholon’s history is one of resilience and blending, between ancient traditions and modernity.

District 6: Market and Memory

An extension of Cholon, District 6 is a popular neighborhood where Binh Tay Market thrives1. It’s marked by the history of Sino-Vietnamese merchants and families who shaped Saigon’s face.

District 7: Little Seoul and Modernity

District 7, with the Phu My Hung urban area, is nicknamed “Little Seoul”1. Modern villas, Korean restaurants, malls, and green spaces make it a favorite for expatriates and families seeking comfort. District 7’s story is one of a new city, designed for international life and well-being.

District 8: Between Canals and Authenticity

Crisscrossed by many canals, District 8 retains a popular and authentic soul1. Here you’ll find floating markets, stilt houses, and lively neighborhood life, a legacy of early fishermen and merchants who settled by the water.

District 9: The Green Lung

Now part of “Thu Duc City,” District 9 is a rapidly expanding area known for its parks, universities, and industrial zones. It’s home to Suoi Tien Park, an amusement park inspired by Vietnamese legends. District 9’s story is one of transformation from rice fields to a modern city.

District 10: The Popular Soul

District 10 is renowned for its markets, small streets, and friendly atmosphere. It features Hoa Binh Market and many temples, embodying the popular heart of Saigon.

District 11: Festivals and Traditions

Famous for Dam Sen Park and its fairs, District 11 is a place of leisure and tradition. Many community festivals are celebrated here, especially among the Hoa (Chinese Vietnamese), who have left their mark.

District 12: The Northern Gateway

Located on the northern outskirts, District 12 is a developing area mixing industrial and residential zones. It’s the entry point to the northern provinces and retains the spirit of the first migrants to Saigon.

Binh Thanh: The Crossroads of Cultures

Binh Thanh is a dynamic district crossed by the Saigon River. It’s home to markets, temples, and the famous Landmark 81 tower1. Binh Thanh’s story is one of a crossroads between tradition and modernity, where students, workers, and families meet.

Landmark 81

Located in Binh Thanh, Landmark 81 rises to 461.2 meters with 81 floors, making it the tallest skyscraper in Vietnam1. In 2025, it ranks 17th tallest in the world and is the second tallest in Southeast Asia, just behind Merdeka 118 in Malaysia.

Go Vap: The Village Turned City

Once a peripheral village, Go Vap is now a rapidly growing residential district known for its schools, parks, and family neighborhoods.

Phu Nhuan: The Saigonese Art of Living

Phu Nhuan is a residential area appreciated for its peaceful alleys, cafés, and traditional restaurants.

Tan Binh: Gateway to the Airport

Tan Binh hosts Tan Son Nhat International Airport and many hotels, making it a cosmopolitan district where travelers, businesspeople, and local families meet.

Tan Phu: The New Wave

A young and booming district, Tan Phu attracts families and young professionals with new malls and parks, embodying the new wave of Saigonese urbanization.

Binh Tan: Industry in Motion

Binh Tan is an industrial district marked by many factories and economic zones, transitioning from countryside to modern city.

Thu Duc: The City Within the City

Since the merger of Districts 2, 9, and Thu Duc, this area has become a “city within the city,” a hub of innovation and education with its universities and research centers.

Binh Chanh: Countryside at the City’s Door

A rural district, Binh Chanh retains an agricultural face with rice fields and traditional villages, symbolizing the transition from countryside to city.

Nha Be: Between River and Mangrove

Located south, Nha Be is bordered by river and mangroves, home to fishing villages and preserved nature

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Can Gio: Saigon’s Green Ldung

Can Gio, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is unique with mangroves, beaches, and fishing villages—a refuge for nature and biodiversity lovers.

Cu Chi: The Resistance Tunnels

Cu Chi, in the northwest, is famous for its tunnel network used during the Vietnam War, now a symbol of resistance and ingenuity.

Hoc Mon: The Rice Granary

Hoc Mon is a rural district known for its agricultural markets and village traditions, preserving the soul of southern countryside.

Saigon is much more than just a metropolis: it’s a mosaic of neighborhoods, each carrying a unique story, atmosphere, and face1. Exploring its 24 districts is like reading a living book where every page reveals a new secret.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Saigon have 24 districts?

The city was divided into 24 districts to better manage demographic and economic growth, considering the history and specifics of each area.

2. Which district is the most typical for street food?

District 4 is recognized as the street food temple, with lively streets and countless food stalls.

3. Which district to visit for Chinese heritage?

District 5 (Cholon) is the historic heart of the Chinese community, with temples, markets, and typical alleys

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4. Which districts are still rural?

Binh Chanh, Nha Be, Can Gio, Cu Chi, and Hoc Mon retain a strong rural identity, with rice fields, mangroves, and traditional villages.

Saigon: Gateway to Indochina

Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, is a must-see entry point for tourists wishing to explore Indochina, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia. With over 10 million inhabitants, it is the most populous city in Vietnam and one of Southeast Asia’s largest urban centers.

Historical Overview

Once a Khmer village called Prey Nokor, Saigon became the capital of Cochinchina under French colonization, then established itself as Vietnam’s economic metropolis1. Its history is marked by Khmer presence, Viet expansion, and French and Asian influence.

The Mekong Delta

Saigon sits at the edge of the Mekong Delta, the rice basket of southern Vietnam, where tourists go on cruises to visit floating markets and Vietnamese villages.

Indochina and Cultural Mosaic

The city was the showcase of French Indochina, blending colonial architecture, Chinese quarters (Cholon), and Asian influences. Saigon’s old town and historic districts retain traces of the Vietnamese old town and ancient Khmer city, visible in temples, pagodas, and markets.

Asian Influences

The city’s history is linked to the expansion of the Viet at the expense of the Khmer and Lao kingdoms, whose communities and traditions remain in Saigon. Exchanges with Thailand and Laos have shaped local culture, especially in cuisine and the arts.

What to Visit in Saigon?

• Markets and Vietnamese Quarters: Ben Thanh Market, Cholon (Chinese Quarter), Dong Khoi Street, and Notre-Dame Cathedral are must-sees for immersing yourself in Vietnamese life.

• Saigon River Cruises: Several companies offer night cruises or dinner cruises, perfect for admiring the skyline and tasting Vietnamese, Asian, and European specialties.

• Bars and Nightlife: Saigon is full of iconic bars, rooftops, and clubs, such as Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar and Chill Skybar.

Excursions from Saigon

• Mekong Delta: Cruises to Can Tho, exploring rural life and floating markets.

• Vietnamese Cities: Saigon is the ideal starting point for Hue, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc.

• Indochina: Tourists can extend their trip to Cambodia (Angkor, Phnom Penh), Thailand (Bangkok, Nan), or Laos, by bus, plane, or cruise.

Saigon Today: A Megacity

With over 10 million inhabitants, Saigon is the most populous city in Vietnam and a major hub in Southeast Asia. It attracts Vietnamese from all regions, as well as Chinese, Khmer, Lao communities, and expatriates from around the world.

Additional FAQs

1. Why is Saigon called the Pearl of the Far East?
   Because it was the political and economic center of Indochina, a showcase of colonial modernity in Asia.

2. Where to start a Mekong Delta cruise?
   From Saigon, many agencies offer departures to Can Tho and the delta’s floating markets.

3. What Asian influences are found in Saigon?
   Khmer, Lao, Thai, and Chinese, visible in temples, cuisine, and historic districts.

4. Which bars to discover in Saigon?
   Saigon Saigon Rooftop Bar, Chill Skybar, and many Vietnamese bars offer a unique Asian nightlife experience.

5. Is Saigon a good starting point for visiting Vietnam and Indochina?
   Yes, the city is connected to Hanoi, Hue, Ha Long Bay, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, as well as Phnom Penh, Angkor, Bangkok, and Nan by bus, plane, or cruise.

6. What is the capital of Vietnam and its historical significance?
   The capital is Hanoi, in northern Vietnam, on the Red River. It was the center of imperial power, then the seat of the communist government during reunification, and remains a symbol of colonial history and Vietnamese resistance.

7. What is Ha Long Bay and why is it a World Heritage Site?
   Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its spectacular karst landscapes and exceptional biodiversity, famous for junk cruises, caves, and islets rising from the sea.

8. What are the major dynasties and periods in Vietnam’s history?
   The Ly, Tran, Ho, Le, Tay Son, and Nguyen dynasties shaped the country’s imperial and cultural identity. The French colonial period, Indochina, the reunification war, and the communist era also deeply marked the Vietnamese people.

9. What does the term “Indochinese” mean in the context of Vietnam and Cambodia?
   “Indochinese” refers to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under French colonization, leaving a strong architectural, cultural, and gastronomic imprint, visible in Hanoi, Saigon, and Phnom Penh.

10. What are the must-sees for an off-the-beaten-path tour in Vietnam?
    Hiking in the northern mountains, visiting Tonkin, a junk cruise in Ha Long Bay, exploring villages around the Red River, and discovering colonial and imperial sites in Hue and Hanoi

11. What is the relationship between Vietnam, Cambodia, and the temples of Angkor?
    A combined Vietnam-Cambodia trip allows you to discover Southeast Asia’s diversity, between Vietnamese culture, Khmer traditions, and the splendor of Angkor’s World Heritage temples.

12. What are the main culinary influences of Vietnamese cuisine?
    Vietnamese cuisine is the result of imperial, colonial, Indochinese, and Asian influences, with emblematic dishes like pho, specialties from the North (Tonkin), South (Cochinchina), and flavors inspired by China, Thailand, and France

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13. What is the place of the Vietnamese people in the southern history of Asia?
    The Vietnamese people, heirs to great dynasties and a history of resistance, occupy a central place in southern Asia, with their culture, language, traditions, and colonial and communist history.

14. Can you hike or do nature tours in Vietnam?
    Yes, Vietnam offers many hiking circuits, especially in the North, around Tonkin, in the mountains, national parks, and along the Red River.

15. What are the colonial and imperial symbols to see in Vietnam?
    Among colonial symbols are French architecture in Hanoi and Saigon, administrative buildings, bridges, and churches. Imperial symbols are the citadels, palaces, and tombs of Hue, and pagodas in the North and Cente