Where to Stay in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) ?

The purpose of this page is not to recommend specific hotels, but rather to help you recognize some potential areas in which you can book a hotel.
You can later read opinions of travelers about specific hotels in Saigon.
Look at the following map. This is the center of Saigon (district 1).
Click to enlarge :

I have highlighted on the map 3 zones in which you may want to stay. There are many hotels in Saigon, for all budgets and the prices are relatively low, so there’s no reason not to stay in the center (at least, if your stay is short).

1. Backpacker’s area – Pham Ngu Lao (Budget prices)

This zone is a tourist attraction by itself, not because of special monuments but because the area is very, very live at night. Look at the following map, click to enlarge :

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Advantages of this location :
A lot of budget hotels, hostels and dormitories. Many bars and cafés at night.
Great choice for restaurants at budget prices. International food (Mexican, Indian, Italian, middle eastern…). Many Vegetarian options. Nice park in front.
Disadvantages :
Tumultuous environment, some people can get exhausted fast. Even more nagging by street vendors compared to other areas. Need to walk 20 minutes to arrive to the walking street of Saigon (that’s fine for me).
My opinion : Overall, this is a very interesting place to live, quite central (close to the park and a walking distance to the famous market Ben Thanh). If you are vegetarian, this is the place to stay, you will eat like a king.

See Hotels (and Hostels) in Pham Ngu Lao. (After you click, use the “Map View” to search hotels in this zone).

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2. Around the famous market Ben Thanh (Mid-level prices)

Look at the following map, click to enlarge :

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There is a big concentration of hotels between the famous covered market Ben Thanh and the reunification palace. Especially in the diagonal streets “Le tanh Ton” and “Ly Tu trong”. It is possible to find here many mid level price hotels, but also budget and upscale.
Advantages of this location :
Very Central. You can walk to everywhere. The market is a very live point at night  with food and textile stands outside the covered market and also a beer garden.
Disadvantages :
Most of the hotels are on busy streets, there could be noise.

See Hotels (and Hostels) around market Ben Thanh

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3. Around the Commercial street Dong Khoi (upscale prices)

Look at the following map, click to enlarge :

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In this area, especially the one which is close to the river, there are many luxurious hotels. Like for example Caravelle hotel.
Advantages of this location :
Near the most elegant streets of Saigon (the upscale street Dong Khoi and the walking street Nguyen Hue). Near the big malls. Near the river, nice views.
Disadvantages :
Prices are higher, for hotels and food.

See Hotels (and Hostels) in this area (After you click, use the “Map View” to search hotels in this zone).

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4. Out of the Center

Look at the following map, click to enlarge :

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District 1 is the center of Saigon. You may choose to live outside of the center if you get better quality in the hotel or better prices but just remember : There is not a Metro transport system in Saigon and the buses are not so easy to understand so you will probably need to use Taxis or Moto-Taxis or rent a moto.
To get a feeling of the distance : District 5 is at 5 Km from the center. China Town (Cholon) is in this district.

See Hotels (and Hostels) out of the center (After you click, use the “Map View” to search hotels in any zone).

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5. Near the airport

Look at the following map, click to enlarge :

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Saigon airport (Tan Son Nhat International Airport) is at 7 Km distance from the city center.
If you prefer to sleep close to the airport, there are hotels.

See Hotels (and Hostels) near the airport (After you click, use the “Map View” to search hotels in this zone).

saigon

The main pages about Saigon :

  1. What to Visit in Saigon (Tourist Attractions)
  2. Where to Stay in Saigon (The potential zones for the Hotel)
  3. The Transport in Saigon (Airport, Bus and Train stations)

Related pages, on this site :

Where to Stay in…
Click on a city to see, the potential zones to Stay, advantages and disadvantages of each neighborhood  :

More on Vietnam :

  On Thailand :

Other Stuff :

If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.

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