Binh Thanh District is a transit hub between District 1 and District 2, and embodies much of the vibrancy of Saigon several decades ago. Due to its proximity to District 1, it has become a magnet for higher-end apartment blocks such as the Manor and Saigon Pearl.

The name of this district is a merger between two wards (Binh Hoa and Thanh My Tay) that used to be a part of the Go Vap District. Binh Thanh is divided into 20 wards, a labyrinth of activities that shows you the authenticity of Vietnam.

What to do in Binh Thanh District?

If you’re wondering where to go when you want to avoid the touristy areas in Ho Chi Minh, this is the place to go. Here's some of the interesting things to see and do in Binh Thanh:

You can start off by playing golf at the Him Lam Golf Driving Range. You can then try some of the best street food in Ho Chi Minh city at Phan Van Han. One you’ve had your fill, you can check out the Thi Nghe or Ba Chieu Market where nearly everything from fruits to flowers and clothes to home accessories are being sold at a fairly reasonable price. Once you’re done looking for a bargain, you can head on over to Van Thanh Park, a green space in the heart of the city, soak up the atmosphere, have a meal on a table by the lake, or a cup of coffee at one of the nice cafes in the area.

For a distant (but spectacular) view of the Saigon river, head on over to Dieu Phap Pagoda where you’ll get transported to an old Vietnamese village. To top off your day, you can go sunset watching at Thu Thiem Bridge where there are a lot of vendors doing rounds so you can have some snacks while waiting for the sun to go down.

It is also home to the Bình Quới area which has some of the greenest spaces in town and the historic Tomb of Le Van Duyet (tomb of the Marshall), which became a worship house for the mandarins of Nguyen Dynasty.

For information on living in Saigon go to Saigon: Not Yet a Tourism Hub