Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 🇻🇳
Nomad Score:
72%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, known for its vibrant atmosphere and rich history. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 9 million people. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 40-50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Vietnamese Dong (VND). 1 USD ≈ 24,000 VND. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; it is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, with Type A, C, and D plugs commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Popular providers include Viettel, Mobifone, and Vinaphone with prepaid plans available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks like HSBC, Citibank, and local banks accept foreign cards. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from shared apartments to luxury condos, with Airbnb prevalent in popular areas. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, digital payment methods like Momo, ZaloPay are widely accepted in urban areas. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental agencies provide numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Vietnam Backpacker Hostels offer affordable options starting around 200,000 VND per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Toong Coworking Space, known for its great amenities and community vibe. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Workshop Cafe, popular for its strong coffee and reliable WiFi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Events are frequently hosted by Meetup groups focusing on tech and startups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups such as 'Expats in Ho Chi Minh City' host regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Ho Chi Minh City. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | You can rent scooters via applications like Tigit Motorcycle Rentals. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Vung Tau Beach, approximately 2 hours away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Vietnam Airlines is the primary regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Major carriers include Qatar Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and Singapore Airlines. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected to major highways like QL1A and Ho Chi Minh Highway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Saigon Railway Station connects to various cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport is limited; however, buses are available with single tickets. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains offer travel options to nearby cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | FV Hospital is known for its quality care and expatriate services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Plus offers various yoga classes in a welcoming environment. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and California Centuryon are popular gym choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Fold services are available throughout the city, often costing around 30,000 VND per kg. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood is widely used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Veggie Saigon and The Organik House offer great plant-based options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Fanny Ice Cream is famous for its delicious artisanal ice creams. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Ben Thanh Market is ideal for local food and handicrafts. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Tiki are popular for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | NowFresh and VinMart provide grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bui Vien Street is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Pasteur Street Brewing Company is known for its craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Warehouse offers a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food stalls are found all over the city, serving local dishes. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizza 4P's is known for its delicious pizzas with a local twist. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The War Remnants Museum and the Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon are essential visits. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Fine Arts Museum features a variety of contemporary Vietnamese art. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Reunification Palace is an iconic historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Jade Emperor Pagoda is a famous and beautiful site to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Tet (Lunar New Year) is the most significant festival with various celebrations. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | District 1 is known for its cultural heritage and tourist attractions. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Saigon Opera House hosts a variety of performances, including traditional Vietnamese shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Ben Thanh Market and An Dong Market are vibrant local shopping experiences. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can be found across various venues, particularly in District 1. |
| 🎨 Street Art | District 1 has various murals and street art displaying local culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | HCMC Cooking Classes offer hands-on experiences in Vietnamese cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galerie Quynh showcases contemporary Vietnamese artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Saigon Central Post Office is an architectural gem. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Dragon symbolizes local Vietnamese heritage and culture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Can Gio Mangrove Forest is about 30 km away and offers a natural getaway. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Cat Tien National Park is a great spot for hiking and wildlife viewing, located approximately 150 km from the city. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The riverside path along the Saigon River is popular for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Bitexco Financial Tower Sky Deck provides stunning city views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching in the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve offers unique opportunities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches such as Vung Tau allow bonfires in designated areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Vietnam Post and Giao Hang Nhanh (GHN) offer reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | The Laptop Center offers tech repair services across the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers and gyms have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | VietLessons provides Vietnamese language classes for expatriates. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Ho Chi Minh City General Library is a great place for studying and reading. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Hoa Sen University often hosts events and gatherings for expats. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Cyber Game Center in District 1 is popular among gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Grand Ho Tram Strip is a well-known casino located nearby. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 2,500 USD per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 75,000 USD). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 1,800 USD per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 54,000 USD). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 2,800 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 168,000 USD). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 132,000 USD). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 3,000 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 240,000 USD). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 2,400 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 192,000 USD). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% for foreign investors. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Vietnam operates a progressive tax system for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 35%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 10%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, regulations apply to foreign subsidiary taxation. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate applies for property transactions. |