District 1 HCMC: Ultimate Travel Guide to Saigon’s Heart!

District 1 is the beating heart of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - a lively downtown where French colonial landmarks meet bustling markets and neon nightlife. In our District 1 travel diary, you’ll find quick hits on iconic spots like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, and Ben Thanh Market, plus off-the-beaten-path cafes and alleyways known to locals. 

Walking around District 1 is easy as major sites like Ben Thanh, the Independence Palace and Nguyen Hue walking street are just a 10-15 minute walk apart. Expect crowds and plenty of street hawkers but also endless photo ops and coffee-sipping with people-watching.

How to reach here

District 1’s is close to Tan Son Nhat airport (SGN). From the airport, a Grab or taxi to central Saigon costs about 150,000 VND (~$7 USD) and takes 15-20 minutes (more in traffic). Public bus #152 runs from SGN to Ben Thanh Market (District 1) for around 5-10k VND if you’re on a budget. 

The roads can be busy at any hour, so allow extra time if you’re catching a flight or train. Within Ho Chi Minh City, ridesharing (Grab/Mai Linh) or walking and cycling work well for District 1. Once you arrive, the main attractions are very walkable (just 10-15 min between major sites), or take the city’s ubiquitous motorbike taxis for short hops.

Personally, I prefer just getting around Saigon with a Grab bike which is cheaper and faster than normal taxi cars. You can also hire them for a few hours so no need to book the bike again and again. Nice, right?

Top Highlights & Hidden Gems

Famous Market of Saigon Ben Thanh Market

• Ben Thanh Market (Duong Le Loi): The central landmark bazaar where you can shop souvenirs, street food and local snacks. It bustles most from 6am-6pm; come early to see it in morning light.

  Pro tip: check out the night market stalls out front after dark.

  

  Reunification (independence) Palace of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City

• Reunification (Independence) Palace: The former presidential palace (1912) with wartime war rooms. Closed Mondays, typically open 7:45 am-11 am & 1:00 pm-4:00 pm (entrance ~40k VND).

  

  War Remnants Museum of Ho Chi Minh City

• War Remnants Museum: (7:30am-6:00pm, daily) Powerful exhibits on the Vietnam War; admission ~40k VND. (You may want to budget 2 hours and bring tissues.)
  It really is an eye opener!

  

  Central Post Office Looks Pretty Vintage Yet Classic!

• Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office: Iconic French-architecture pair (Notre Dame’s restoration was ongoing at the time of writing this in Aug 2025, but the red-brick exterior is still photogenic; the Post Office is open ~6:00am-6:00pm daily). Free to enter.
  Check the google map location of Cathedral here.

• Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A pedestrian promenade lined with City Hall (People’s Committee Building) and LED showlights. Best at dusk when locals and families flood the area.

  

  Bui Vien Street Is a Mini Party Capital of Saigon

• Bui Vien Street (Backpacker District): The go-to nightlife stretch for bars and international eats. It livens up after dark with street food stalls and late-night crowds.
  If you are in Ho chi minh city and you did not visit this street, then what are you doing? No, seriously, just go there right now lol

• Hidden spots of Saigon not covered by most travelers! Sip ca phe sua da (iced milk coffee) on the sidewalk near Notre Dame at 6:30am and grab a banh mi from a cart because why not!
  Stop at a “hidden” rooftop bar or cafe (e.g. The cafe Apartment on Lê Lợi) for people-watching.

  Explore alleys off Cách Mạng Tháng Tám Street for hole-in-wall pho or fresh juice stands.

  If you can, catch sunset drinks at a skybar (like Chill Skybar or Saigon Saigon Rooftop) for city views. I loved strolling Turtle Lake area when I was here the last time (on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu St.), it’s walking distance to D1’s main sites.

  

  French Architecture of District 1 in Saigon Is Still Clearly Visible

When to visit District 1

• Opening Hours & Fees: Most attractions are daytime only. War Remnants Museum (7:30am-6pm, admission ~40k VND) and Reunification Palace (7:45am-11am & 1-4pm, ~40k VND) are open daily.

  Ben Thanh Market vendors start early (around 6am), shops run until 6-8pm. Cathedrals and post offices close by 6pm.

  Double-check any temple or museum hours online before you go.

• Best Time to Visit: Saigon is hot and humid year-round (rainy season Jun-Nov, dry Nov-Apr). Morning or late afternoon are best for walking; the city cools off slightly at night (though mosquitoes come out).

  If possible, avoid Tet (Vietnamese New Year, late Jan/Feb) when businesses shut down.

• Nearby Amenities: District 1 has everything: local pho stalls, street carts, cafes and international restaurants on every corner. Convenience stores and ATMs are ubiquitous. Public toilets are inside malls or some cafes (small fee).

  Parking is tight; it’s often easier to park outside D1 (or use bike valet at restaurants) and walk in.

• Transport: Inside D1, most people explore on foot or GrabBike (motorbike taxi) which costs just a few thousand dong per km. If you rent a motorbike, always carry your license and lock it up at night.

  

  Many Expats Prefer to Stay in District 1

FAQs

• Is District 1 Ho Chi Minh City safe?
  Yes. District 1 is one of Saigon’s busiest, tourist-centric areas and is generally safe at all hours. Standard precautions (watch your belongings, avoid dark alleys late at night) are wise.

• Can I see everything in District 1 by foot?
  Most of D1’s top sights are centrally clustered and walkable. Ben Thanh, the cathedral, palace and museums are within 10-15 minutes of each other. You will still occasionally use short taxi or Grab rides, but walking is often faster than driving through traffic.
• What is District 1 famous for?
  It’s famous as Saigon’s historic center. Highlights include colonial-era buildings (Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Opera House), Ben Thanh Market, and vibrant streets (Nguyễn Huệ pedestrian mall, Bùi Viện nightlife). Essentially, D1 holds Saigon’s top tourist sights and the hub of Vietnamese culture.

• Any tips for bargain shopping?
  Ben Thanh Market sells clothes and souvenirs - feel free to haggle (start at ~50% off the first price).
  If you’re serious about cheap fashion, head a few blocks south to Các Năm Châu on Lê Lai street or to D3’s Hoàng Minh Giám street for better quality. Street food in D1 is wallet-friendly: a bowl of phở or bún only ~30-50k VND.

• Is District 1 Ho Chi Minh walkable for tourists?
  Absolutely. The main attraction loop in D1 (Notre Dame, Post Office, streets to Ben Thanh and palace) is very walker-friendly. Many travelers recommend staying just outside the busiest block of District 1 (e.g. near Turtle Lake) for a bit more quiet, but if you love being in the action, D1 hotels put you in the center of it all.

• Can I drink the tap water or is it safe?
  Tap water in Saigon is not safe to drink. Always buy bottled water or use filtered water at cafes. Ice is usually safe from reputable restaurants.

• Are scooters or taxis better for getting around District 1?
  For longer distances or luggage, use a metered taxi (Mai Linh or Vinasun) or GrabCar. For short hops through downtown traffic, GrabBike (motorbike taxi) is very popular and cheap. Just ensure the rider has a helmet for you.