Staying in District 10: local Saigon between District 3 and Cho Lon

Who should stay in District 10?

District 10 suits budget travellers, repeat visitors who want to see local life, students and business visitors to its hospitals and universities. It is well placed between the centre and Cho Lon: District 1 is about 3 km away, a 10 to 20-minute ride, and the temples and markets of Chinatown are close by.

The trade-offs are that District 10 has few sights of its own and little nightlife aimed at visitors, and the main roads, such as 3 Thang 2 and Ly Thuong Kiet, are among the busiest in the city. Its strengths are prices, food and the feeling of living in a Vietnamese neighbourhood.

Hotels and other places to stay in District 10

The 73 properties listed in this zone are mostly hotels, followed by apartments and a few aparthotels, homestays and guest houses. Most hotels are simple to mid-range, from one to three stars, often in narrow buildings on the main roads or in the alleys behind them, with a few four-star properties. Prices are generally lower than in District 1 and District 3 for the same standard.

As everywhere in central Saigon, some rooms in narrow buildings have no windows, and the listings say so; check whether breakfast is included, as many small hotels do not serve it but have street-food stalls at the door.

What is there to do in District 10?

The Viet Nam Quoc Tu pagoda, on 3 Thang 2 street, is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the city, known for its tall tower. Van Hanh Mall has shops, a supermarket, restaurants and cinemas. The district's markets and food alleys are the main attraction for visitors interested in local food: noodle soups, broken rice, snails and sweet soups, at prices well below District 1.

District 10 is also a practical base for exploring Cho Lon, with its assembly halls, temples and Binh Tay Market, a short ride to the south-west, and for the centre: the War Remnants Museum, Independence Palace and Ben Thanh Market are 2 to 4 km away.

How do you get to District 10?

From Tan Son Nhat International Airport, about 3 to 5 km away, the ride takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, often less than to District 1. Ride-hailing cars and motorbike taxis are the usual way to get around; a trip to District 1 takes 10 to 20 minutes. City buses run along the main avenues towards Ben Thanh and Cho Lon.

Metro Line 1 does not serve District 10. Saigon Railway Station, in neighbouring District 3, is a short ride away.

When is District 10 at its best?

The dry season, from about December to April, is the most comfortable time for walking and eating outdoors. During the rainy season, from about May to November, short afternoon showers are common. Around Tet, the Lunar New Year in late January or February, the pagodas fill with worshippers and many local shops close for several days.

Where to eat in District 10?

District 10 is one of the best districts in Saigon for cheap, authentic food. Its alleys and side streets are full of stalls and small family restaurants serving the dishes Saigonese eat every day: broken rice with grilled pork, noodle soups, rice-paper snacks, snails, grilled seafood and sweet soups for dessert. Many of them open from early morning until late at night, and a full meal rarely costs more than 50,000 to 70,000 VND.

The area around the markets and the university campuses has a young, lively atmosphere, with milk tea shops, grilled-meat restaurants and coffee shops packed with students in the evening. Ky Hoa and the streets near 3 Thang 2 are good starting points for an evening walk. For a more comfortable meal, Van Hanh Mall has restaurants and a food court.

Because few tourists stay here, menus are often only in Vietnamese and prices are local. Pointing at what other diners are eating works well, and staff in the busier places are used to helping. For travellers who enjoy food, District 10 offers a more genuine and much cheaper experience than the tourist streets of District 1, while the centre remains 10 to 20 minutes away.