Ho Chi Minh City (still Saigon to many) is Vietnam turned up to eleven. French façades and skyscrapers, incense and iced Cà Phê coffee, and street food smoke. Each district has its own rhythm. There is temple-filled Cholon, the greenery District 3, and the expat-chic Thao Dien: so your perfect trip is all about picking the right patch. First-timer or seasoned returner, foodie or night owl, there’s a corner of Saigon with your name on it. Here are the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh.

Best for: First-timers, night owls, culture buffs.

The downtown engine room. By day, it’s Notre-Dame Basilica, the Post Office, the War Remnants Museum and boulevards built for strolling. By night, District 1 is all about its rooftop bars, Bánh canh at Ben Thanh Street Food Market and Nguyen Hue’s people-watching parade. You can walk to most big-ticket sights, dip into markets, and be sipping a sky-high cocktail by sunset. If it’s your first time, this is the easiest base, with all action, zero FOMO.

Best for: Families, café-hoppers, slower stays.

Leafy, local and downright lovely. Villa-lined streets hide excellent coffee, the Jade Emperor Pagoda swirls with incense, and parks give you the shade and space you need to recover from a hectic day of exploring the capital. It’s walkable from District 1, and perfect if you want culture and calm in the same day.

Best for: Foodies, culture lovers, market wanderers.

Welcome to Chinatown’s sensory overload: lanterns, herb stalls, sizzling woks and temples dedicated to sea goddesses. Binh Tay Market is the beating heart, while prayers at the Chinese-style Ba Thien Hau Temple soothe the soul. Come hungry for the hu tieu noodles, roasted meats and Chinese-Vietnamese favourites that line every block.

Best for: Digital nomads, brunch squads, long-stayers.

Green riverside pocket with yoga studios, co-working spaces, craft beer and excellent brunches all around. Boutique shops, galleries and weekend markets give it a creative edge, while villas keep things village-y. District 2 feels a world away, but you’re only a short Grab ride from downtown.

Best for: Street-food hunters, budget travellers, night owls.

Seafood alley heaven. Vinh Khanh Street fires up after dark with grilled scallops, butter clams and crab claws, while side lanes sling bowls of noodles till late. It’s raw, lively and cheap. The perfect pick if you want flavour over frills, with downtown just over the bridge.