Ho Chi Minh City

What you need to know about Ho Chi Minh City

By Expat Guru Last Updated:

About Ho Chi Minh City

I liked Ho Chi Minh City a lot. It has all of the convivences one could expect from the city except for an MRT system which as of September 2022, they are in the middle of building one anyway. Things are affordable although I have noticed a tamer street food scene compared to other places in Vietnam like Hanoi. Seems to be making more room for higher end dining but affordability is still easy. HCMC without a doubt has some great nightlife, so party animals are going to be very happy here. I am sure those willing to use grab or even rent a motorbike may find even more affordability outside of District 1.

Nomad Guide of Ho Chi Minh City

Explore Ho Chi Minh City like a local with our comprehensive nomad guide. Find the best places to work, live, and play, all tailored to the digital nomad lifestyle. Stay connected and make the most of your time in Ho Chi Minh City with our insider tips and recommendations.

Continent :

Asia

Country :

vietnam

Weather :

31°C + Humidity 84% = 42°C Feel

Internet Speed :

8 Mbps

Insurance :

Safetywing

Air Quality :

87AQI

Best Neighborhood :

District 10: Ward 12

Upcoming Neighborhood :

Binh Chanh District: Binh Hung Ward

Power :

230V50Hz

Average Trip Length :

9 Days

Best Taxi App :

Grab

100000 VND to USD :

$4.02 USD

Tap Water Quality :

No, not drinkable

Visitor per year :

5500000 Visitors

Tourist now :

105407 tourists

Population :

7431000 people

GDP per capita :

$2171 / year

Population Density :

busy: 10x10m (100m²) per person

Gender Ratio (Expats) :

H 57% / F 43%

Religious Gouvernment :

Non-religious

Appartement Listing :

Facebook group

Online electronics shop :

Nguyen Kim


Weather in Ho Chi Minh City

Stay updated on the weather in Ho Chi Minh City with our reliable data source. Plan ahead for changing conditions and make the most of your time in the city. Check the forecast and stay prepared for any weather events.


Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City

Discover the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City with our data source. Compare expenses for housing, food, transportation, and more to make informed decisions about your budget. Stay informed and make the most of your money in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cost of Living for Expats :

$1,162/mo

Cost of Living for Nomads :

$1,303/mo

Cost of Living for Families :

$3,071/mo

Cost of Living for Local :

$878/mo

Cost of coffee :

$0.67

Rent for 1 bedroom :

$875/mo

Dinner:

$3.53

Beer :

$1.34

Coca Cola :

$1.01

Tax for 50k income :

$

Tax for 100k income :

$

Tax for 250k income :

$


Pros and Cons Living in Ho Chi Minh City

Like many other cities Ho Chi Minh City have a lot of advantages to offer its residents and visitors, but it also has its fair share of drawbacks. We have made this pros and cons table to help you better vizualize them.

Pros

  • ✅ Affordable to live
  • ✅ Pretty safe
  • ✅ Lots of fun stuff to do
  • ✅ Warm now
  • ✅ Warm all year round
  • ✅ Good air quality usually
  • ✅ Nomad List members liked going here
  • ✅ Many Nomad List members here all year round
  • ✅ Very easy to make friends
  • ✅ Easy to do business
  • ✅ Great hospitals
  • ✅ Safe for women

Cons

  • ❌ No freedom of speech
  • ❌ No democracy
  • ❌ Pretty slow internet
  • ❌ Very sweaty and humid now
  • ❌ Feels crowded
  • ❌ Quality of education is low
  • ❌ Roads can be dangerous
  • ❌ People don't speak English well
  • ❌ Not family friendly
  • ❌ Hostile towards LGBTQ+
  • ❌ Many people smoke tobacco

Quality of Life in Ho Chi Minh City

No Data for now.


Visa Requirements in Ho Chi Minh City

No Data for now.


Security and Crime in Ho Chi Minh City

Stay informed on security and crime in Ho Chi Minh City with updated information on crime rates, types of crimes and measures being taken. Ensure personal safety by staying informed and taking steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Help keep Ho Chi Minh City safe.

020406080100

Low Crime rate

020406080100

High Security Index


Polution and Air Quality in Ho Chi Minh City

Stay informed about the air quality and pollution levels in Ho Chi Minh City. Our data source provides up-to-date information on various pollutants and their effects on health and the environment. By monitoring the air quality in Ho Chi Minh City, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of pollution.

Similar cities to Ho Chi Minh City

Discover cities that are similar to Ho Chi Minh City in terms of attractions and amenities. Our hand-picked list includes locations with similar cultural settings, recreational activities, and high-quality lodgings. These cities are worth visiting if you're looking for a place with a similar atmosphere or just a change of scenery. Plan your next urban journey by visiting these similar cities.

Trending

Gray Concrete Building Near Palm Trees

Bangkok

Thailand

#4

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

17

Mbps

FEELS 33°

29°

$1,895/mo

Trending

Photo of People Riding on City Tram

Lisbon

Portugal

#1

Air Quality
Good
wifi

29

Mbps

FEELS 22°

22°

$3,367/mo

Trending

Architectural Design Of An Orange Temple

Chiang Mai

Thailand

#8

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

17

Mbps

FEELS 35°

29°

$1,222/mo

Trending

Scenic View Of City During Evening

Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

#34

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

11

Mbps

FEELS 39°

29°

$1,601/mo

Trending

Green and Brown Building Near Body of Water

Amsterdam

Netherlands

#141

Air Quality
Good
wifi

14

Mbps

FEELS 15°

15°

$6,366/mo

Trending

Grayscale Photo of a Concrete Building

Barcelona

Spain

#75

Air Quality
Good
wifi

39

Mbps

FEELS 23°

23°

$4,295/mo

Trending

Taipei

Taiwan

#125

Air Quality
Good
wifi

24

Mbps

FEELS 23°

23°

$2,698/mo

Trending

Imperial Citadel in Hanoi Vietnam

Hanoi

Vietnam

#148

Air Quality
Good
wifi

5

Mbps

FEELS 31°

29°

$1,067/mo

Cities near Ho Chi Minh City to visit

There are several cities and places close to Ho Chi Minh City worth your visit. In addition to sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City, spare some time to discover the surroundings of the city.
You can discover Da Nang, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang, who are a few kilometres away either by car or public transport.

Trending

Street cafe near historic buildings in city

Da Nang

Vietnam

#66

Air Quality
Good
wifi

2

Mbps

FEELS 33°

29°

$1,128/mo

Trending

 Photography of Architectural Building

Siem Reap

Cambodia

#79

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

5

Mbps

FEELS 34°

29°

$1,223/mo

Trending

Aerial View Of City Buildings

Phnom Penh

Cambodia

#129

Air Quality
Good
wifi

4

Mbps

FEELS 39°

30°

$1,608/mo

Trending

Person in Yellow Shirt Walking on Snow Covered Field

Phu Quoc

Vietnam

#87

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 37°

30°

$1,338/mo

Trending

City Escape Against Mountains

Nha Trang

Vietnam

#168

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

9

Mbps

FEELS 39°

30°

$1,163/mo

Trending

Red and Brown Temple Under Blue Sky

Hoi An

Vietnam

#138

Air Quality
Good
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 31°

28°

$978/mo

Trending

White Concrete Buildings near the Ocean

Pattaya

Thailand

#162

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

16

Mbps

FEELS 33°

29°

$1,461/mo

Trending

Da Lat Market in Vietnam

Da Lat

Vietnam

#268

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 21°

21°

$968/mo

Reviews of Ho Chi Minh City - Feedback from travelers

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Discussion (14)

0

I liked Ho Chi Minh City a lot. It has all of the convivences one could expect from the city except for an MRT system which as of September 2022, they are in the middle of building one anyway. Things are affordable although I have noticed a tamer street food scene compared to other places in Vietnam like Hanoi. Seems to be making more room for higher end dining but affordability is still easy. HCMC without a doubt has some great nightlife, so party animals are going to be very happy here. I am sure those willing to use grab or even rent a motorbike may find even more affordability outside of District 1.

0

Been living here for more than 3 years. Overall I do not recommend it. Its not terrible but overall theres better options in asia. The city is constantly busy, noisy and polluted (air and landscapes). You can hardly go out for breeze of fresh air or to relax and ease your mind. There is not much nature, beach or mountains for you to escape. Traveling is very restriced because people go crazy due to covid. During the lockdown you couldnt even leave your appartment for a walk outside. They trapped everyone inside. It was like a prison! It is very hostile for dogs as most Vietnamese treat animals like trash. The people can be rude and xenophobic. Some people are nice and helpful if you ask them but overall very uneducated, sleezy and close minded. The girls are attractive in looks department but dont make great long term partners as they are too childish, insecure, and stupid. In general the people are funny and sociable but uneducated, immature, poor. It is an interesting place to discover for a few weeks after that you wanna get away

0

Only thing to add is that in general Saigon has terrible walkability. I love Saigon, lived there for 3 years. But motorbikes are always parked on the sidewalks so you constantly have to step onto the road which is a little hair raising. And if it's not motorbikes then there are restaurant tables scattered across the pavement. Plus the pavement is almost always cracked. I'm a pretty chill person. But going for a random walk in Saigon always leaves me kind of irritated after a while. Of course the parks and pedestrian zones are all fine though.Great city, but you need to drive everywhere.

0

Usually goes dead after one month. Polluted streets and antisocial locals. It’s okay for a few weeks, but the fun diminishes quickly and boredom sets in. You are left with high rent and no fun after about a month.

0

It used to have a lot of character and charm but all the construction is making the city lose its culture.Apartments and accommodation are ridiculously expensive. 300 to 500 a month for tiny rooms in a shared house.For single guys go elsewhere. Women here are rude, ultra conservative and have flat personalities with nothing going for them. Food is okay but plenty of MSG and food safety is atrocious. In addition motorists are aggressive and plenty of accidents take place.Don't live here imo but come and visit.

0

Main advantage of Vietnam in general is the ease of getting a visa. That's real nice but there are some big problems here. The food is terrible. Bland soups with slippery, boring rice noodles topped with weird stuff like pig's feet are not my idea of a good meal. Neither are sandwiches with fatty mystery meats. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia all have way better food. The sushi I've had here was also terrible. The city itself is pretty ugly. Every building is the same tall, skinny shape. Overall safety is low and you'll probably end up in a traffic accident if you stay here long enough. It costs more to rent a place and if you're on a low budget you'll likely end up in a home stay or guesthouse when you could have rented an apartment for the same price in another city. Many places have curfews, even as early as 8pm, so make sure to ask your Airbnb about that because they won't bother to mention it in the listing. Stay in D1/D10/D3/D4/Phu nhuan. Avoid Tan phu, D7, D2, Tan binh, and Go vap.Avoid the rainy season.

0

Ho Chi Minh City is clearly the place to be right now. What I like most is the diversity : there are quiet places, busy places, cheap places, fancy places. Above all, the most important thing for a digital nomad is the Internet and it's almost perfect (there are some breakdowns a few seconds here and there) but overall it's pretty fast. You can feel a great vibe, there is just the right balance between chaos and comfort. Highly recommend.

0

Great city for working that is incredibly cheap and has great cafes to work at. There's plenty of activities and social events so making friends was easy. Sadly food quality and air quality is very poor and there is a lack of nature nearby. I recommend staying here three months to half a year if you want a big city life but longer than that and you will get bored. Also stay out of district one as outside of it everything is cheaper and there's still plenty to do.

0

"omagad they like totally stole my iphone", "it's like the worst, everybody is like so aggressive" welcome to the Real World, maybe you now learn to appreciate your cosy first world country and stop bitching about your oppression and your rights.Ho Chi Minh is an awesome upcoming city. It has an original and still traditional look and vibe to it, interesting colors (check out japanese district) not swamped with brand shops (the local coffee shops dominate starbucks in terms of quality and design and some are open 24h !). The nightlife also has plenty of options and be sure to enjoy the view from a the many rooftop bars in the city.You get to see a city full of energetic, young people growing their country after a devastating war and under an authoritarian regime. You get a choice between older buildings in D1 or totally new apartment buildings in D2 all at great value prices.There are a lot of people coming here to work remotely and also to start businesses. Decent sports facilities readily available (check out mach's gym, UFC center). If you don't want to spend money on the gym you can always do a workout on one of the many parks that have bars for chalistenics available.However, beware the pollution and always wear a mask, especially in D1. This is the biggest con here in my opinion.

0

worst place I have ever been to. walking is difficult. weather is extremely humid. lack of infrastructure so terrible smells which are hard to cope with. they keep trying to sell you things. lastly, aggressive people all around the place, especially males.

0

Cheap and friendly city. very spread out with limited public transport but there is an Uber-like app called Grab you can use to get a ride to anywhere in the city cheaply.

0

Ho Chi Minh City is a big hot spot for digital nomads. Currently experiencing huge growth in the number of co-working spaces available. It has a slower pace of life compared to other cities. Ho Chi Minh City is well known for its coffee culture (many local cafés), traditional architecture, and friendly locals. Prices for food and accommodation are low in comparison to other South East Asian locations. Added bonus: weekend getaways at the beach are just a bus ride away.

0

Big, dirty, vibrant, and cheap. Not an easy city compared to somewhere like Bangkok, but it's a good experience. I recommend at least a three-month stay.