Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis that defies simple description, home to 12 million people spread across 16 diverse districts. At the heart of this urban landscape lies District 1 – the tourism epicenter that draws travelers from around the world.
This compact yet vibrant district is a treasure trove of iconic attractions, including the Presidential Palace, the stunning Opera House, and the historic Notre Dame Cathedral. It's a tourist-friendly area with a high concentration of shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
The district itself is also really big so when you’re looking for a hotel in District 1, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the center of town.
Understanding the layout and character of each neighborhood can help you make the most of your stay in this dynamic city. While District 1 is the primary tourist zone, each area offers a unique experience and accommodation style that caters to different traveler preferences.
Business District: Luxury and Saigon Historic Charm
The heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s business district spans Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Le Loi Street, and Dong Khoi Street. This is a lively area with local and international restaurants, cafes and bars, clothing and souvenir shops. The Opera House is the central landmark, and it’s in walking distance to the Old Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, Presidential Palace and Ben Thanh Market.
In this area, you’ll find many 5-star and luxury hotels like the Reverie, Caravelle, Sheraton Saigon, and Park Hyatt, to name a few. Of course you get a nicer room along with their full-service facilities but one of the perks of staying in a 5-star hotel is that it has a swimming pool which is not common among most hotels in the city. These hotels range from $150-400 a night.
If you’re into architecture and historic hotels, there’s the Continental Hotel which became famous as the backdrop of Graham Greene’s novel ‘the Quiet American’ and it’s the oldest hotel in Saigon. There are also the Grand Hotel and the Hotel Majestic with their beautiful French architecture. The price range from $80-150 a night.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to stay in this area. There are mid-range hotels like the Palace Hotel and Saigon Prince both on Nguyen Hue Street. They’re a bit older and the rooms are pretty standard but their location is great. Their rates are typically from $50-100 night.
If you’re looking for a hotel with a river view, there’s a handful near and on Ton Duc Thang Street. The Hotel Majestic, the newly opened Hilton Saigon, Le Meridien Saigon, and Liberty Central Saigon Riverside all have river views and a rooftop bar that’s worth experiencing. Though the downside is that some of these hotels are located on a major street with a lot of traffic and it has median barriers which can be an inconvenience for cars accessing the hotel. And if you’re walking, it takes an additional 10-15 minutes than if you were staying somewhere closer to the Opera House.
Ben Thanh Market Area: Shopping & Food
Located around Le Thanh Ton and Ly Tu Trong Streets, this neighborhood is a favorite among budget travelers and overseas Vietnamese who like staying near Ben Thanh market for their shopping needs and having access to the street food outside and also inside the market.
Most hotels in this area are low to mid-range with prices from $40-80 per night. They’re usually in a tall tube building meaning there’s only windows in the front of the building, and they tend to have smaller size rooms and more basic facilities.
There are two 5-star hotels in this area – the New World Saigon Hotel which has been around a long time and the newly opened La Siesta Premium Saigon. The high-end hotels range from $100-200 per night.
One thing that’s great about this area – is that there’s something for everyone. Did you know there’s a Malaysian Street? There’s a small street opposite the west entrance of the market that’s caters to Malaysian tourists with budget hotels, Halal restaurants, and tailor shops that specialize in making the traditional Malaysian dress. It’s apparently much cheaper to get it made in Saigon than back in their home country.
Japan Town: Dining and Nightlife
The area around Le Thanh Ton, Thi Sach, and Thai Van Lung streets is commonly referred to as Japan Town. As you can guess by the name – this area has a high concentration of Japanese restaurants, shops and services catering to the Japanese expat community. If you’re looking for good sushi – this is where you should go. It also has a very vibrant night life and, in some parts, teetering on the seedy side, not ideal for traveling with kids.
Thai Van Lung street has many low to mid-range hotels. This street gets very busy and chaotic at night. Because of the narrow street, there tends to be road congestion. A quieter option is Thi Sach Street which is parallel to Thai Van Lung. This street is actually only a 5-minute walk to the Opera House. If you’re looking for a 5-star facility for half the price, you may want to consider hotels on this street. Prices for hotels here range from $70-150 per night.
Backpacker Area: Budget-Friendly and Bustling
Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien, and De Tham Streets form the city’s backpacker district, perfect for budget travelers. This area can be considered as the ‘tourist hub’ because a lot of budget travel agencies and ground transport services pick up tourists from here for trips to other destinations. There’s also a lot of cheap local and international restaurants, shops selling travel gear and souvenirs, and just basically anything you need, you’ll find here.
You’ve probably seen videos of the night life on Bui Vien Street. If you want a good night sleep, you probably don’t want to book a room on this street! As for accommodation there are plenty of budget hotels and hostels in this area which can go as low as $10 a night!
Here are some tips when selecting a hotel:
- Keep in mind that not all accommodations in District 1 are centrally located
- Consider your priorities: your spending budget, locations near shopping, attractions, or nightlife
- Each area offers a unique experience of Ho Chi Minh City so choose one that interests you
District 1 is a diverse area that offers everything from luxury to budget stays, exciting nightlife, cultural and historical attractions, and a glimpse into modern Vietnam.
