Most people who come to Saigon don’t realize how big the city is and how distinct each of the 24 districts is from the other. At XO Tours, we are often asked by guests to recommend a district to stay in while they are in Saigon, so in this article we will share our picks for the top 5 districts in Saigon for tourists.
But before we introduce the 5 districts that we think most tourists should stay in, we want to share a popular saying from locals:
“Eat in District 5, Located in District 3, Luxury in District 1, Tranquil in District 4“literally means”Eat in District 5, sleep in District 3, party in District 1, rob District 4.”
In this post, we’ll cover the 4 counties mentioned in the quote above, and add District 2 as we’re starting to see more and more tourists interested in that district.
5 BEST DISTRICTS OF SAI GON FOR TRAVELERS ONLY
DISTRICT 1 – CITY CENTER
There are many advantages to staying in District 1 over other districts, which is why most visitors choose to stay here. First of all, District 1 has the widest choice of accommodation in the city, from the cheapest hostels to 5-star hotels. In addition, most of the main tourist attractions are located here: such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, War Remnants Museum and Independence Palace. District 1 is also a great area for nightlife lovers, with a wide range of bars, clubs and cafes open late into the evening. However, keep in mind that food, accommodation and other services in District 1 are often much more expensive than in other counties. If you are the type of traveler who wants to go to a less touristy area, we recommend avoiding District 1.
For a nearby option, head to District 3.
DISTRICT 3 – COFFEE AND ARCHITECTURE
According to the old saying that I mentioned earlier, District 3 is the best place to have a good night’s sleep. That’s why some of the oldest neighborhoods in Saigon are located in District 3. District 3 is much less bustling than District 1 but still conveniently located to most tourist attractions and shopping areas. main. Many of the oldest French colonial buildings in the city are located in the 3rd District, so it’s a great place to stay if you love architecture. District 3 also has some of the most unique cafes in Saigon, where many Saigonese will gather for leisure and work. There isn’t as much nightlife in District 3 as in District 1, however, you can find some of the best live music in District 3 at venues like The Acoustic Bar and Yoko Bar.
From District 3 we will now cross the Saigon River to reach District 4.
DISTRICT 4 – AirBNB AND SEAFOOD: Best Place to Stay in Saigon?
District 4, like District 3, is bordered by District 1, so it is conveniently located near most famous places in the city. There aren’t as many hotel options in District 4 compared to Districts 1 and 3, but you’ll find some great AirBNBs with some of the best city views in District 4. District 4 used to be famous for being home to many. crime but over the past 10 years the government has cleaned up the crime and District 4 is now one of the best places in Saigon to find great street seafood. Crab claws, scallops and clams… are some of the standout dishes. The only downside of restaurants in this area is that most don’t have English menus. If you’re scared to explore District 4 on your own, join XO Tours on our popular XO Foodie Tour and we’ll order the best seafood in District 4 for you!
The next district we will examine is District 5, commonly known as Chinatown.
DISTRICT 5 – CHEAP SHOPPING AND Dumplings
Welcome to one of the largest Chinatowns in the world! Locals call Chinatown here Cho Lon, literally “Big Market”. The name tell everythings; it is the main commercial and wholesale district in Saigon. Most of the street vendors in Ben Thanh market and other famous markets in Saigon come to Chinatown to buy their products wholesale, so prices in this area are often much lower than in other areas. crowded tourists. However, keep in mind that many vendors in Chinatown only sell their products in bulk. Shopping in Chinatown is also more difficult if you don’t speak Vietnamese or Cantonese because most of the vendors don’t speak English. Another disadvantage of staying in the D5 is that it is quite far from the main tourist attractions. If you love Chinese architecture, bargain shopping, outdoor markets and Chinese food then this is the best District in Saigon to stay. Also, if you’re the type of traveler who likes to explore the trails, then you’ll appreciate the fact that you won’t meet many tourists in District 5.
And now we’ll head to D2 to completely change the scene.
DISTRICT 2 – PEACEFUL AND DELICIOUS EAT
District 2 used to be a swamp land, but great development in recent years has turned it into the richest district in the city filled with villas and villas. If you’re tired of Vietnamese food and enjoy fine dining, you’ll love District 2. You’ll find some of the most popular European and Western restaurants in the city in District 2. This district is also one of the best. the most popular areas for expats to live because it’s much less bustling than other districts and less air pollution due to lack of traffic. Many of the biggest international schools are located in District 2, so it is a convenient place to live for many expats who teach for a living. The downside of District 2 is that it takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center and there are far fewer local street food options. And in the rainy season (from June to October), many areas in District 2 are prone to flooding.
We hope you found this blog post about districts in Saigon helpful. For most first-time visitors to Saigon, we still recommend staying in District 1 as it is the most convenient area for sightseeing and shopping. If you have been to Saigon and want to explore some other unique districts, however we don’t think you can go wrong with one of the other districts we mentioned in this post.
