Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City: Where the Mekong Delta Meets the South China Sea Trade Routes

Ho Chi Minh City (still widely called Saigon) is Vietnam's largest city, home to roughly 9 million people across 24 districts. The French colonial grid of District 1 — anchored by the 1863-built Saigon Central Post Office and Reunification Palace — sits minutes from the narrow alleys of District 3 and the wholesale textile lanes of Cho Lon, the Chinese quarter in District 5. The city fell to Northern forces on 30 April 1975, a date that reshaped Southeast Asia and still draws history-focused visitors to the War Remnants Museum on Vo Van Tan Street.

Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City

Most hotels cluster in District 1 (Bến Nghé and Bến Thành wards), within walking distance of Bến Thành Market and the Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian boulevard. District 3 offers quieter mid-range options along tree-lined streets. Thảo Điền in District 2 (now Thu Duc City) attracts longer-stay travelers with riverside serviced apartments roughly 8 km northeast of the central post office.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Grab (ride-hail) and metered taxis are reliable; avoid unlicensed xe ôm for airport runs.
• Airport transfer: Tan Son Nhat International Airport sits 7 km northwest of District 1 — a metered taxi takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Currency: Vietnamese đồng (VND); ATMs are plentiful in District 1.
• Weather: The dry season runs November through April — the cooler window for walking the French Quarter.