Congratulations on deciding to move to Ho Chi Minh City, also referred to as HCMC or Saigon. You'll find that life is so much sweeter in the south, and the Vietnamese population is incredibly welcoming and warm to new foreigners building a home here. You might have different preferences with dogs or children versus a single expat with no dependents - either way, you'll find comfortable and modern accommodation to suit every budget.聽
A quick overview of Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a flavorful and exciting pace of life for expats of all ages! The city has something for everyone, whether it's art, networking, history, five-star dining, literature, and remains a diverse blend of history and modern advancements as it pays homage to the man who unified the country and worked toward being an economic and cultural hub of Southeast Asia. There are several pockets where expats prefer to stay, but it's convenient to forge your path and find the district that works best for you.
Vietnam has had a long history of occupation from the Japanese to the French, and becoming a headquarters for the United States during the Vietnam War. On April 30, 1975, the Viet Cong, led by Ho Chi Minh from the North of the country, captured the South and took full control to unify the country and cement their independence. Since then, it has continued to blossom and flourish in many different areas and advancements.
When you move to Ho Chi Minh City, you're signing up to live in a place with access to fresh food, sizzling coffee, excellent art and entertainment, and modern accommodation. In the past you didn't have to think too far ahead when moving to Vietnam. Lately, as it continues to progress and make headway in attracting foreign investment, Vietnam has become stricter in its visa process. This means that making the decision to move here will require planning and patience.
Choosing a district in Ho Chi Minh City
Now that you've decided Ho Chi Minh City should be your home, the big question is which district will you live in? Due to the size and layout of the property and development, the city is constantly looking for ways to reorganize or make the process clearer. Currently, there are twenty-four districts, which further break down into nineteen inner city districts and five suburban areas. One of the most up-and-coming areas of Ho Chi Minh City is Thu Duc City, which is a district comprising two and nine as of 2021.
You won't have to worry about learning each district before you arrive, especially as you can go years without ever needing to set foot in them. Here is a breakdown of key districts that expats prefer to live in.
District 1
Many types of housing with different levels of comfort are available all around the city. District 1 is in the heart of downtown - you are literally in the center of it all! You can easily travel to other districts and also have a front-row seat to new restaurants and cafes that seem to pop up weekly.
The pro of living in District 1 is convenience- you can find anything, have anything delivered, and outside of rush hour, you can get anywhere in the city within twenty minutes. It's perfect for singles or young couples who want to be immersed in Saigon. If you are someone who plans on hosting a lot of guests during your time in Vietnam, this will also be a fantastic place to set yourself up, as it is close to key tourist attractions: Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the Saigon Opera House.
A con for living in this district can be the noise and the never-ending construction. While District 1 will be very accepting of foreigners living in apartment buildings, you'll still get approached quite frequently by vendors thinking you are a tourist. We would encourage you to work on your Vietnamese and to gain confidence while speaking to help battle against these assumptions. Another con is that there are not many high-rise apartment or condo buildings in this district. This means you will be finding a low-rise apartment building that most likely does not have amenities like a pool or a gym.
The monthly average price to live in District 1 is:
- Studio - 9 million VND/month ($353.50 or 鈧�337.50),
- One-bedroom(no amenities) - 11 million VND/month ($432.00 or 鈧�412.50),
- Two-bedroom (no amenities) - 20 million VND or higher ($785.00 or 鈧�750.00).
District 2, aka Thao Dien
This neighborhood is globally recognized for being a cool and happening place. In 2024, Time Out magazine registered this neighborhood as one of the 38 coolest neighborhoods in the world. Thao Dien or District 2 will not disappoint! It's an expat haven with many international eateries open nearby and easy access to most international schools. You'll find high-rise apartments readily available, furnished and with full amenities ranging from tennis courts to pools to saunas to steps away from metro locations. If you are an expat who prefers to cook, you'll have easy access to meal plans and international grocery stores carrying familiar products from your native country. Amidst all of this, you'll still experience the Vietnamese charm of sidewalk food vendors and flower merchants, and access to fresh fruit or vegetables any day of the week.
A major pro for choosing this district is the ease with which to make friends and be close to expat-specific events and mingling. This is the closest district to most international schools and is favored by pupils and teachers alike.
A major con for this district is that it is surrounded by the Saigon River and easily floods during the rainy season. You'll definitely experience walking in thigh-high water on more than one occasion or being 鈥渇orced鈥� to have another round of drinks as you wait for a grab bike to be able to pick you up and for the rain to stop. This district also has very high rental costs, as the district experiences higher inflation due to its popularity with foreigners and buildings targeting their clientele.
The monthly average price to live in District 2 is:
- Studio (no amenities) apartment: 11 million VND/month($431.80 or 鈧�412.60 )
- One-bedroom apartment: 16 million VND/month ($628.10 or 鈧�599.90)
- Two-bedroom apartment: 35 million VND or higher ($1,374.50 or 鈧�1,312.80)
District 3
Known as Saigon's 'business district,' District 3 offers similar amenities and vibes as District 1, which makes sense as they border one another. The area is a mixture of old and new and is a popular choice among young professionals and couples. Here, expats can find plenty of street food and Vietnamese restaurants, but also enjoy a few sundown cocktails atop some of the city's most beautiful, towering hotel rooftops. Some examples are , and , which all offer competitive happy hour deals each night.
District 4
Of all the neighbourhoods in Ho Chi Minh City, District 4 is probably the one changing the most. This ever-evolving 'hood was once a hotspot for Saigon's mafia members and wasn't typically somewhere expats would choose to rent a property. However, given its proximity to the business district and District 7, this neighbourhood is undergoing lots of renovation to appeal to both foreigners and locals looking for a change of pace. While the neighbourhood is still quite traditional, quite a few high-end apartment buildings are being constructed, and these are similar to the compounds found in District 2 and District 7.
Some popular choices are , , and . Most of these are located along the Saigon River. However, it is almost guaranteed there will be construction nearby, given the dramatic modernisation taking place in the area. The rent in District 4 ranges anywhere from VND 7,658,250 or $300 to VND 25,527,500 or $1,000 per month for an apartment with Western amenities. Just like District 2, these larger buildings will include gym and pool access.
District 7
District 7 truly feels removed from Ho Chi Minh City. Crossing into this district, you'll immediately notice wider streets, more greenery, and also an influx of Korean culture. It feels almost docile or quaint compared to the chaos of District 1, and this may make it the perfect environment for you to call home. District 7 is an extremely pet-friendly neighborhood! Most buildings allow dogs and cats, but it's to your benefit to ask first and ensure it's guaranteed before signing a lease.
The most popular area of District 7 is called Phu My Hung and is within walking distance from the Korean International School and Saigon South International School.
Pros of this neighborhood include generally cleaner air, as there are more trees, and people prefer to walk or ride a bicycle.
One of the cons of living in this district is that it can feel isolating. A lot of events will happen in Districts 1 and 2 ,so be prepared to travel for most nightlife or to meet up with friends.
The monthly average price to live in District 7 is:
- Studio (no amenities) apartment: 11 million VND/month($431.80 or 鈧�412.60 )
- One-bedroom(no amenities) apartment: 11 million VND/month($431.80 or 鈧�412.60 )
- Two-bedroom (with amenities) apartment: 24 million VND or higher ($940.80 or 鈧�897.84)
Binh Thanh District
Binh Thanh is popular with university students but is also gaining traction with the expat community. While it's a much more localized neighborhood, this is also a hot spot for living close to Pham Viet Chanh Street - an area with many restaurants and cocktail bars! While finding the perfect apartment here might take a bit of research and patience with a realtor, you'll love the convenience of being close to the Saigon Canal coffee area and meeting up for after-work drinks at a local.
Another pro is, of course, living in a highly populated Vietnamese neighborhood. You'll become better acquainted with neighbors and have access to street vendors that are specific to the area. This is also the closest area to living near Vincom Park - similar to Central Park in New York.
A con to the area is the traffic and congestion. This area gets extremely busy, and while you can walk, roads may feel a little more risky due to being narrow and motorbikes feeling like they are everywhere all at once. Many expats are turned off by the garbage found in this district, but others will persevere for the comforts and proximity to the things that matter to them.
The average price to live in Binh Thanh District is:
- Studio (no amenities) apartment: 12 million VND/month($433 or 鈧�415 )
- One-bedroom(no amenities) apartment: 20 million VND/month ($785 or 鈧�750)
- Two-bedroom (with amenities) apartment: 35 million VND/month ($1,374.50 or 鈧�1,312.80)
Thu Duc City
This district was created by combining the original property lines of Districts Two and Nine. While District 2 is also home to Thao Dien - Thu Duc City is slightly more north and also encompasses the An Phu ward.
Thu Duc City is growing exponentially and becoming popular with young Vietnamese families and expats alike. The district, in general, has high-rise apartment buildings, meaning you'll have access to brand-new amenities. However, you'll also be further from most places and have a lot of travel to get around.
A pro to living in Thu Duc City is that it's relatively quiet. It's the desired location for new research institutes and tech parks, but may still have a few years to go before restaurants begin catering to foreign influence.
The monthly average price to live in Thu Duc City is:
- Studio: 12 million VND/month($433 or 鈧�415 )
- One-bedroom: 16 million VND/month ($628.10 or 鈧�599.90)
- Two-bedroom: 35 million VND/month ($1,374.50 or 鈧�1,312.80)
Good to know:
Most houses, apartments, as well as some villas available in Ho Chi Minh City, are furnished and include wifi. Other standard amenities include air conditioning, a TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a weekly cleaner. Luxury apartment complexes in Districts 2 and 7 will provide a gym, swimming pool, games room, and 24-hour security; however, a parking pass is generally extra.
How to find accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City
Finding accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City is possible both before and after your arrival. You can utilize the listings on expat.com or Facebook.
Check out the following pages for your apartment-hunting adventure:
- ;
- ;
- .
If you do post or begin to participate on the designated Facebook accommodation pages, we recommend knowing what you want because realtors will message you immediately. What we mean by this is understanding your budget, your likes and dislikes (in-unit washing machine, balcony, kitchen size, furniture, district, building amenities), and your expected size (studio, one- or two-bedroom).
Browse previous listings and spend more time exploring other districts before taking the leap and signing a lease. You can also utilize Booking.com or Airbnb to try out living in different styles of accommodation, but it does begin to add up!
Good to know:
Not every building allows pets! Do your research and make sure it's confirmed by the landlord and not just an appeasing real estate agent before signing on the dotted line.
Rental conditions in Ho Chi Minh City
When you have found your home within Ho Chi Minh City, standard rental contracts will be for a one-year lease. You will be required to pay a one or two-month deposit either in cash or by bank transfer. The monthly rent will include a management fee, typically a weekly cleaner, and electricity (air conditioning, lights, etc). You will be responsible for paying the rental costs once a month on an agreed-upon date or the day you moved in.
Good to know:
According to Vietnamese law, your lease contract should be in Vietnamese and English. While the property law massively favors the landlord in Vietnam, not having a copy of your lease in a language you understand will automatically sway courts or police to your favor in any disputes.
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
