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Ho Chi Minh City on Map: Where is Saigon Located in Vietnam?
Look at any Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam map and you'll spot it immediately—down in the southern tip at coordinates 10.8231°N, 106.6297°E, about 1,730 km from Hanoi.
When you see Saigon on map, it's hugging the Saigon River, and sits closer to Cambodia (250 km west) than to central Vietnam. The city's tropical southern latitude means year-round heat and humidity—pack light, breathable clothes.
Its strategic position near the Mekong Delta and proximity to beach towns like the Cu Chi Tunnels (1.5 hours northwest) makes it perfect for day trips while serving as Vietnam's southern travel hub.
Ho Chi Minh District Map: Complete Guide to Saigon's 24 Districts
Let me clear up something that confuses almost every first-time visitor: Ho Chi Minh City is massive—sprawling across 24 districts—but you'll only care about a handful of them.
I've included two maps here because understanding the difference between the entire city and the tourist-friendly core will save you hours of confusion (and overpriced taxi rides).
Complete Ho Chi Minh City District Map - All 24 Administrative Divisions Explained
Yes, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is huge. The city stretches from Cu Chi in the northwest (where those famous tunnels are) all the way to Can Gio in the southeast (mangrove forests and beaches). Most of these outer districts?
You'll never set foot in them unless you're doing a day trip or living here long-term. They're residential, industrial, or just... not where tourists go.
Saigon City Map: Central Urban Districts Guide
This Ho Chi Minh City urban districts map is what you actually need: a Saigon district map focusing on the urban core. This zooms in on Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, and Binh Thanh—basically, the central area where 95% of tourist action happens. This is your reference map.
The heart of HCMC is District 1, where you'll find famous spots like Ben Thanh Market and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Nearby, District 3 has the pretty Pink Church and old pagodas, while District 5 is full of Chinese shops and restaurants. These three districts are where you'll likely spend most of your time exploring.
District 2 is across the river—modern, expat-heavy, with international restaurants and yoga studios. Unless you're visiting someone or staying at a resort, you probably won't venture here.
Ho Chi Minh City Tourist Map: Top Attractions & Sightseeing on Map
Looking at the tourist map of Ho Chi Minh City, let me show you these famous spots and where to find them. Most places you'll want to see are in District 1. What's nice is that you can walk from north to south in District 1 to see everything - many tourists enjoy exploring this way on foot.
Ho Chi Minh City Attractions: 11 Famous Places to Visit (2026)
The French Colonial Core (Heart of District 1)
That's where the French built their grandest landmarks:
- The Notre Dame Cathedral, known as "Paris of the East," Its twin red-brick spires are so iconic they appeared on old 20,000 VND notes.
- Right beside it, the Central Post Office, famous for its beautiful Gothic design and high curved ceiling (yes, the same person who built the Eiffel Tower designed it!).
The History Quarter
Walk south for about 10 minutes from the city center, and you'll find two places that history lovers always visit: Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum.
Independence Palace is famous because a tank broke through its gates in 1975, marking the end of the war (you can still see the real tank outside!). Inside, everything looks exactly like it did in the 1960s.
A few blocks away, the War Remnants Museum gets half a million visitors each year. Lonely Planet calls it "Vietnam's most moving war museum".
The Lively Center (At the Bottom Center)
- Ben Thanh Market: At the end of Le Loi Street, you'll see Ben Thanh Market with its big clock tower. It's the biggest market in the city and the best place to try local food, especially after dark.
- Nguyen Hue Walking Street: A walking street in the middle of the city. You'll see the pretty Saigon Opera House, and the "Cafe Apartments" building, which people love because it's full of cool coffee shops and small stores. The 262-meter Bitexco Financial Tower, resembling a lotus bud, dominates the skyline with its 49th-floor Skydeck.
- Saigon River: End your walk by the Saigon River, perfect for sunset boat rides to see the city lights.
Must-See Detours
In District 3, there's a beautiful pink church called Tan Dinh Church. With its pink walls make it Vietnam's most photographed church. And the Cu Chi Tunnels (off-map NW). Where you can squeeze through actual Viet Cong tunnels (they've widened them slightly for tourists!)
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Map: Transport Hubs, Hotels & Local Food Spots
Let's zoom in on our Ho Chi Minh City travel map, and I'll show you exactly how to get around, where to stay, and where to find great food.
Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) sits on the city's northwest edge in Tan Binh District. From here to District 1, the city center, it's about 7 kilometers north. A taxi ride takes 20-30 minutes and costs about 200,000 VND (around 8-10 dollars).
For trains, you'll find Saigon Railway Station in District 3, just 2 kilometers from the city center. You can get there in 10 minutes by taxi or walk for 20 minutes. This is where most tourists catch their trains to other Vietnamese cities like Nha Trang or Hanoi. There's another station called Tham Luong far in the northwest, but tourists rarely use it.
Find a Accommodation on Map
District 1 dominates any Ho Chi Minh City travel map for first-timers—walking distance to Ben Thanh Market, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and countless restaurants. District 3 offers quieter streets with better coffee shops, while District 5 (Cholon) gives you authentic Chinatown vibes.
Foodie Hotspots
Skip the tourist traps near Ben Thanh Market. For legendary pho, hit Pho Hoa Pasteur in District 1 or Pho Le in District 10. Banh Mi Huynh Hoa (District 1) has lines for a reason—crispy baguettes stuffed properly.
For banh xeo and local dishes, try Quan An Ngon or venture to Lunch Lady (changes menu daily). District 5's Hai Lua Restaurant serves stellar dim sum. The best food is rarely in District 1's tourist core—those hole-in-the-wall spots on Nguyen Trai Street feed you better for half the price.
Ho Chi Minh City Transportation Map: Travel to Ho Chi Minh City from Other Vietnam Cities
Mark all these routes on your Ho Chi Minh City transportation map? It's way easier to plan when you see how everything connects. Especially how to reach Ho Chi Minh City from the country's most popular tourist spots.
Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
From the north, Hanoi is about 1,760 kilometers away. Most travelers choose to fly, which takes just over 2 hours. If you want to see the countryside, the Reunification Express train takes about 32 hours.
Da Nang & Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Moving to Central Vietnam, Da Nang is 850 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City. A quick flight takes 1 hour 20 minutes, while the train journey along the coast takes 16-18 hours.
If you're in Hoi An, you'll need to travel through Da Nang first. It's a 45-minute ride to Da Nang's airport or train station. From there, you can follow the same routes as from Da Nang.
Nha Thang to Ho Chi Minh City
From the beach city of Nha Trang, 440 kilometers away, you have good options. A short one-hour flight from Cam Ranh Airport, or you can take a scenic train ride for 7-8 hours. You'll cruise along the coast watching fishing villages go by.
Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc to Ho Chi Minh City
The Mekong Delta(from Can Tho)? Easy 4-hour bus ride through rice fields. And if you're island-hopping from Phu Quoc, there's direct flights (about 1 hour) that'll have you in Saigon for lunch.
Travel with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) to Explore Vietnam
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Helpful Articles for Your Vietnam Trip:
- Vietnam Travel Guide → All you need to know before you go.
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