Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City: Saigon Ward (District 1) vs the Rest
Most first trips to Saigon start in the old District 1, now Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the area you choose shapes your trip more than the hotel itself. It decides how much of the city you can reach on foot, how long you sit in traffic, and whether your evenings end with a short walk or a long ride home.
This guide compares the areas travellers ask about most, explains the new ward names you will now see on maps and booking sites, and suggests where to stay in each one.
Quick answer: where should I stay in Ho Chi Minh City? For a first visit, stay in the old District 1, now mostly Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward. The Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market and the Saigon River are all within walking distance. Choose the old District 3 for a calmer, local food and coffee scene next to the centre, the old District 7 for space and apartment-style stays, and Tan Binh if you need to be close to Tan Son Nhat Airport.
First, the new names: District 1 is now Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward
Since 1 July 2025, Ho Chi Minh City no longer has districts. The city now runs on wards and communes, and the old District 1 was merged into four wards: Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh and Cau Ong Lanh.
- Saigon Ward covers the historic heart of the old District 1, including the Opera House, Dong Khoi Street, Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Bach Dang Wharf.
- Ben Thanh Ward covers Ben Thanh Market, Tao Dan Park and the Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien backpacker area.
- Locals, drivers and most travel sites still say "District 1", so you will hear both. Hotel addresses now use the new ward names.
The best areas to stay in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Saigon Ward (old District 1): best for first-time visitors
The Saigon Opera House, at the centre of Saigon Ward.
This is the Saigon most people picture: French-era landmarks, rooftop bars, the riverfront and the city's busiest dining streets, packed into a few square kilometres. You can walk between most major sights, and Metro Line 1 starts here at Ben Thanh and Opera House stations.
Stay here if it is your first trip, you are in town for two to four nights, or you want to walk everywhere. Rooms cost more than in neighbouring areas, which is the price of the location.
Where to stay in Saigon Ward:
- KiN Hotel Dong Du, 19 to 21 Dong Du Street: a Kingsman-inspired boutique hotel a couple of minutes from the Saigon River.
- KiN Hotel Onsen, 40 Hai Ba Trung Street: a red wine-inspired boutique hotel with a private Japanese-inspired onsen.
- KiN Hotel Thi Sach Edition, 11A Thi Sach Street: a 4-star hotel a 4-minute walk from the Opera House and about 6 minutes from Vincom Center.
- KiN Hotel Thai Van Lung, 36 to 38 Thai Van Lung Street: a boutique hotel in the heart of Japan Town, a 5-minute walk from Vincom Center.
- NiK Hotel Thi Sach, 4B to 4C Thi Sach Street: a 3-star hotel in a quieter corner of the centre.
Two of these, KiN Hotel Dong Du and KiN Hotel Onsen, are part of the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection 2026, chosen by anonymous inspectors for their sense of place, design, service and personality. Read what it takes to become a MICHELIN Guide hotel to see how they meet each criterion.
KiN Hotel Thi Sach Edition, a short walk from the Opera House.
2. Ben Thanh Ward (old District 1): best for markets, street food and nightlife
Ben Thanh Market, the landmark that gives the ward its name.
The other half of the old centre is busier and a little more local. You are close to Ben Thanh Market, Tao Dan Park and the street food around Pham Ngu Lao, and still within walking distance of Nguyen Hue. The Bui Vien area stays loud until very late, so if you want calm nights, pick a street a few blocks away from it.
Stay here if you want to eat your way around the city, prefer more choice at lower prices, or plan to enjoy the nightlife.
Where to stay in Ben Thanh Ward:
- KiN Hotel Ly Tu Trong Edition, 145 to 151 Ly Tu Trong Street: a boutique hotel just steps from Ben Thanh Market.
- KiN Hotel Bui Thi Xuan, 84A Bui Thi Xuan Street: a 4-star boutique hotel a 3-minute walk from Tao Dan Park and about 8 minutes on foot from Bui Vien Walking Street.
- NiK Hotel Nguyen Trai, 7/9 Nguyen Trai Street: a local-friendly hotel surrounded by eateries and cafés.
- NiK Hotel Pham Ngu Lao, 175/4 to 6 Pham Ngu Lao Street: a budget-friendly base in the backpacker quarter.
KiN Hotel Ly Tu Trong Edition, steps from Ben Thanh Market.
3. Old District 3 (Xuan Hoa and Ban Co wards): best for food and coffee lovers
Leafy streets, old villas, local cafés and some of the city's best street food, with the old District 1 a 10 to 20 minute walk away. It feels more local and less touristy, and rooms are usually better value than in the centre.
Stay here if you have been to Saigon before, or you prefer a neighbourhood feel to a tourist hub.
Where to stay in the old District 3:
- KiN Hotel Central Park, 223 Hai Ba Trung Street, Xuan Hoa Ward: a green-inspired boutique lifestyle hotel on the edge of the centre, with entrances on both Hai Ba Trung and Truong Quyen streets.
- NiK Hotel Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, 382/1 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Ban Co Ward: a local-friendly hotel about 700 metres from Tao Dan Park.
KiN Hotel Central Park brings a green, calm mood close to the centre.
4. Old District 7 (Tan Hung Ward): best for longer stays and families
South of the centre, the old District 7 is planned, spacious and calm, with wide streets, malls such as Crescent Mall and SC VivoCity, and the riverside Starlight Bridge. It suits travellers who want room to spread out and a kitchen of their own. The trade-off is distance: plan on a ride of around half an hour to the old centre.
Stay here if you are staying a week or longer, travelling as a family, or want apartment-style living.
Where to stay in the old District 7:
- KiN Wander Tan Quy: tucked into a quiet alley near Crescent Mall and Starlight Bridge, with a private kitchen and a projector with Netflix in every room.
- KiN Wander Tan Phong, The Moonage: a laid-back stay near Crescent Mall and SC VivoCity, with a kitchenette in every room and a private balcony in most. Five of its rooms now come with a Samsung smart home setup.
- KiN Wander Trung Son: a nature-filled escape in the nearby Trung Son neighbourhood, with a little matcha shop in the garden.
KiN Wander Tan Quy, a quiet base in the old District 7.
5. Tan Binh: best for quick airport access
Tan Binh surrounds Tan Son Nhat Airport. It is a lively, local area rather than a sightseeing one, but staying here makes sense for a late arrival, an early flight or a short stopover. You will need Grab for most sightseeing.
- KiN Wander Tan Binh, The Mountain, 51 Nui Thanh Street: a black-and-grey minimalist apartment stay minutes from the airport, with a shared rooftop and a coffee shop downstairs.
The rooftop at KiN Wander Tan Binh, The Mountain.
What about Thao Dien and Cho Lon?
Thao Dien (old District 2) is green and quiet, with international cafés and boutiques, and is popular with expats and families. It is about 20 to 30 minutes from the centre, or a short ride on Metro Line 1 from Thao Dien station. Cho Lon (old District 5) is Saigon's historic Chinatown, with temples, wholesale markets and Chinese-Vietnamese food, about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the centre. Both make great half-day visits from a base in the old District 1.
Quick comparison
| Area | Best for | Walk to main sights | KiN stays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saigon Ward (old District 1) | First trip, short stays, business | Yes | 5 |
| Ben Thanh Ward (old District 1) | Markets, street food, nightlife | Yes | 4 |
| Old District 3 | Food, coffee, repeat visitors | 10 to 20 min walk | 2 |
| Old District 7 | Families, long stays | No, about 30 min ride | 3 |
| Tan Binh | Airport, stopovers | No | 1 |
How to choose based on your trip
- Two to four nights, first visit: Saigon Ward or Ben Thanh Ward. You will save hours of transport and see more.
- Business trip: Saigon Ward, close to the main offices, hotels and meeting venues.
- Food-focused trip: Ben Thanh Ward or the old District 3.
- One week or longer: split your stay, a few nights in the centre and the rest in an apartment-style stay in the old District 7.
- Late arrival or early flight: Tan Binh for the night closest to the airport. From the old District 1, the airport is usually 30 to 45 minutes by car in normal traffic.
Planning what to do once you arrive? See 48 Hours in Saigon and Walking Routes to Discover Saigon's Most Beautiful Streets.
🛎️ Find your KiN stay in Saigon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Ho Chi Minh City for first-time visitors?
Is District 1 the same as Saigon Ward?
Is it better to stay in District 1 or District 3?
Where should I stay in Ho Chi Minh City for a long stay?
Where should I stay near Tan Son Nhat Airport?
Which area should I avoid if I want to sleep well?
How many nights do I need in Ho Chi Minh City?
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