Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.
Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team Saigon's first metro line, open since 22 December 2024, runs from Ben Thanh in District 1 east toward Thu Duc, so it serves the Thao Dien side of the river but not Phu My Hung. If one parent commutes downtown every day, a home on the Line 1 corridor can take the car out of that commute. Families in Phu My Hung rely on roads and bridges for every trip to the center, so test that drive at rush hour before you sign.
Ho Chi Minh City gives families more choice than anywhere else in Vietnam, but traffic and heat turn a badly placed home into hours in a car each week.
The main decision is between the former District 2 (Thao Dien and An Phu) and the former District 7 (Phu My Hung). The first is closer to downtown and on the metro corridor; the second is greener and more planned, but farther from everything else.
Since 1 July 2025, Vietnam's districts no longer exist administratively. Ho Chi Minh City absorbed Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau and now counts 113 wards, 54 communes and one special zone. We still say "District 2" and "District 7," but check the new ward name on any lease.
At a glance
| Best for | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| International-school families | Thao Dien and An Phu (former District 2) | Largest cluster of family-oriented housing and schools, near Metro Line 1 |
| Planned streets and green space | Phu My Hung (former District 7) | Wide sidewalks, parks, calmer traffic inside the area |
| Compromise on commute | Binh Thanh riverside | Between District 1 and Thao Dien |
| Parents working downtown, young kids | Districts 1 and 3 | Short commute; small apartments, little green space |
How we chose
- School run and how it crosses the city's bridges and main roads.
- Space and green areas within walking distance.
- Commute for working parents, including Metro Line 1.
- Cost signals from Numbeo's Ho Chi Minh City page (last updated 31 October 2026): about ₫33.9 million a month for a three-bedroom in the center and ₫18.2 million outside it; international primary school tuition averaging about ₫682 million a year; full-day private preschool about ₫12.7 million a month. These are citywide averages, so ask each school for its written fee schedule.
Checked on 31 October 2026.
1. Thao Dien and An Phu — best for international-school families
Across the Saigon River from District 1, Thao Dien is the city's best-known expat neighborhood, with several international-school campuses in it or in neighboring An Phu, plus villas, serviced apartments and international supermarkets. The new ward list includes An Khanh and An Phu, names that now cover parts of the old District 2; confirm which applies to your street.
Metro Line 1 runs along this side of the river toward Thu Duc. A VietnamTourism.com guide updated in October 2026 puts Thao Dien one-bedrooms in the same ₫15–25 million range as District 1, and family villas cost far more. Some riverside lanes flood during the May to October rainy season, so check your street after heavy rain.
2. Phu My Hung — best for planned streets and green space
Phu My Hung, in the former District 7, is a master-planned area with wide roads, sidewalks, parks and a large expatriate population. It has its own international-school options and is a calmer place to let older children cycle or walk.
The trade-off is distance. Phu My Hung is not on Metro Line 1, so trips to District 1 or to schools in Thao Dien mean crossing the city by car. If both your workplace and your school are in the south, this matters less.
3. Binh Thanh riverside — best for a commute compromise
Binh Thanh sits between District 1 and Thao Dien, with riverside high-rise complexes that often include pools and playgrounds. It suits families who want a shorter downtown commute than District 2 and more space than District 1. Expect tower living rather than gardens, and test the school run at 7 a.m. on a weekday.
What would this move really cost you?
Use your own rent, insurance, transport and visa assumptions. Compare options before committing.
4. Districts 1 and 3 — best for parents working downtown with young kids
For parents with a demanding downtown job and preschool-age children, living centrally saves time: short commutes, culture on your doorstep and Metro Line 1 starting at Ben Thanh. Nomada's remote-work guide notes these districts are loud. Apartments are smaller, parks are few, and the school run to Thao Dien or Phu My Hung gets long once children start school.
What to check before you decide
- Pick the school first, then test the school run at peak time.
- Ask about flooding on your street during the rainy season.
- Get a written fee schedule from each school, including enrollment, building and bus fees.
- Check the new ward name on the lease and on school paperwork.
- Confirm internet speeds in the unit; Ookla put the city's median fixed broadband at about 298 Mbps in August 2026, but buildings vary.
FAQ
Where do expat families live in Ho Chi Minh City?
Mostly in Thao Dien and An Phu (former District 2) and Phu My Hung (former District 7), both close to international schools.
Is District 2 or District 7 better for families?
District 2 is closer to downtown and on the Metro Line 1 corridor. District 7's Phu My Hung is more planned and greener but depends on roads for trips to the center. Choose based on where your school and your work are.
Did District 2 and District 7 change names?
Yes. Since 1 July 2025, districts no longer exist as administrative units, and addresses use new ward names. The old district names remain in everyday use.
Related guides
- Living in Ho Chi Minh City: city guide
- Best areas to live in Ho Chi Minh City
- Best international schools in Ho Chi Minh City
- Best hospitals for expats in Ho Chi Minh City
- Family cost of living in Vietnam
- Budget calculator
Sources
- Ho Chi Minh City Metro (Wikipedia) — Line 1 opening date, Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien route, length and stations
- Ho Chi Minh City (Wikipedia) — 113 wards, 54 communes and one special zone; new ward names; Phu My Hung expat population
- Vietnam's provincial mergers (Vietnam Briefing) — HCMC absorbing Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau; end of district level from 1 July 2025
- Numbeo: Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City — three-bedroom rents, international primary school and preschool averages
- Vietnam for digital nomads (VietnamTourism.com, Oct 2026) — one-bedroom ranges in Thao Dien and District 1
- Vietnam for nomads in 2026 (Nomada) — Thao Dien as expat area, District 1 and 3 character, May–October rainy season
- Hanoi becomes world's fifth-fastest city for mobile internet (VietNamNet, Oct 2026) — Ookla August 2026 HCMC fixed broadband median
Choose the right services for your move.
Explore independent selection criteria and optionally request an introduction. No provider referral, delivery time or quotation is guaranteed.
