discover
Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to
Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) - or is it Saigon? Well, it was known as Gia Định when it was conquered by the French in the 1860s, who Westernised the traditional name to Saigon (Sài Gòn). After the reunification of the country in 1975, the provisional government renamed it to its current moniker in honour of the late North Vietnamese leader and father of independent Vietnam, Hồ Chí Minh.
That said, many Vietnamese still call it Sài Gòn, especially when they refer to the built-up city centre rather than the whole municipality.
The train station officially is still Ga Sài Gòn, and the IATA code for the airport is SGN. The municipality, however, is known as Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, or Tp HCM.
Make sure you always say Ho Chi Minh City (or HCMC) when dealing with officials and filling in forms.
Living in Ho Chi Minh City has never been easier. As Saigon becomes more modernized by the day, the standard of living for expats inches closer and closer to what you'd expect at home - with, of course, the added benefit of being much more affordable.
With a budding job market, an abundance of affordable residences, a wealth of international schools and universities, and enough charm to last a lifetime, living in Saigon has become a real choice for many foreigners looking for something different.
Those moving to Vietnam will need to go through a bit of hassle getting a working permit and temporary residence cards. Adjusting to the local community, getting used to the hectic mode of transport, anachronistic banking practices and insurance tribulations are not out of the question. In exchange, however, expats get the rare chance to settle in cosmopolitan areas built amidst local streets and historic buildings, full of delicious local and international restaurants, malls and entertainment centers, and fun activities for the entire family.
A roaring nightlife - active most days of the week - offers classy, affordable entertainment, while art and culture lovers will get a kick out of the artistic community in Saigon.
Affordable housing becomes a sound investment as the city's real estate market gets more and more attention from foreign investors. As evidenced by District 2's and District 7's momentous growth, middle-to-upper-class expats and locals are getting bargain rates for potentially lucrative properties. Violent crime is almost non-existent, adding safety to the growing list of reasons to settle in Ho Chi Minh City.
With a bit of hassle, the charm and affordability of living in Ho Chi Minh City far outweighs the initial burdens. Check out our living section to find all the information you need on the best health care providers, serviced apartment complexes and more.
most popular articles
If the inner child inside you has been yelling out loud for sugary redemption, City Pass Guide has you covered! ...
Have you ever tried Southern Vietnamese foods? If you could only use a few words to describe your Southern dish, ...
• The first international school in HCMC • Educaring™ in HCMC • More details about education options in HCMC Find ...
Travelling with a family can make for a fun holiday, but sometimes it can create headaches for parents. A family-friendly ...
A Definitive List of Saigon’s Select and Seriously Succulent Sushi Japanese cuisine is often quoted as one of the most ...
A quick search on the internet will yield fascinating results: the craft beer scene in Ho Chi Minh City is ...
With almost 100,000 Korean people living in South Vietnam, it’s not surprising that there are numerous Korean restaurants to choose ...
What is the best place to live in Saigon? The answer depends on who you are and how much you ...
Where To Stay
Fronting the scenic Saigon River and only 5 minutes walking ...
Not only is Tan Son Nhat Hotel brilliantly situated for ...
A hotel can be much more than just a place ...
Lafayette De Saigon is among the most high-ranking serviced apartment ...
Situated in the heart of Saigon's business and entertainment district, ...
Where To Eat
Southern Vietnamese cuisine relies heavily on sugar and spices and ...
Three female chefs carefully cut skins off pieces of salmon ...
B3 Steakhouse & Craft Beer is the latest addition to ...
A few steps from Bitexco Tower in the very heart ...
Not only offering you a entertaining venue, Chill also offers ...
Where To Drink
Gentle piano notes fill the lobby and beckon guests to ...
The original open-air rooftop club and bar in Ho Chi ...
Chill and Chic: Hôtel des Arts Saigon Social Club Rooftop ...
Looking for a place to share a craft beer or ...
The Long @ Times Square is a café and restaurant which ...
Promote Your Brand Here
Start HerePremiere venues
With possibly the most convenient location in Thao Dien, the European International School Ho Chi Minh City is the only ...
This shop specialises in the restoration and export of classic vintage Italian motor scooters. You can also rent bikes here.
The International School Saigon Pearl (ISSP) provides an American curriculum for children aged 18 months to 11 years old with ...
Fully-furnished one to four-bedroom apartments with private balconies providing panoramic views of the stunning surroundings. Each space features plush interiors, ...
Services: House/office relocations, express service, logistics, travelling packages, water filter products for homes and shops. New Indo-China International offers relocation ...
Services: This provider is known for a number of top-quality services. These include doorto-door services, international moves, local moves, office ...
Run by three expat relocation consultants from diverse backgrounds, Relocation Vietnam orients clients with the complexities of the city, helps ...
Services: Moving, relocation, immigration, document storage and home search. All of Santa Fe’s services are conducted inhouse by experienced staff, ...
Embracing the traditional family values that emanate from the family owners; ABCIS students are modest, highly motivated learners, engaged in a ...
"At SSIS we begin with those ideas that bind us together, our core values of the pursuit of Academic Excellence, ...
The American School is a school with a short history but with a long list of accomplishments. From Early Childhood ...
Established in 2004 and licensed by the Vietnamese Government, Vietnam Australia International School (VAS) is a private school group within ...
Of course, it’s the job of a school to teach students the basics like how to read and do long ...
Centre Médical International is an international standard, fully equipped outpatient clinic. Near Notre Dame Cathedral in central Saigon, CMI offers ...
Hoan My Sai Gon Hospital, the first private general hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, was established in 1997 and ...
European Medical Center provides high quality medical and cardiovascular care for patients. Headed by a French cardiologist and using the ...
Accadent is a German owned dental clinic located in the city center. The German dentists offer top-notch dentistry with know-how ...
Starlight dental clinic was established in 1996. Our commitment is to provide you the highest standard of personalized dental care ...
The Clinic’s team uses the latest techniques and strictly adheres to the international standards of sterilisation and cross infection control. ...
With possibly the most convenient location in Thao Dien, the European International School Ho Chi Minh City is the only ...
