Ho Chi Minh City - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
My housing is fantastic. I have a spacious 3-bedroom newly renovated apartment in a serviced apartment/hotel. We have daily housekeeping (or less depending on how you schedule it), a good gym, sauna, and pool. Housekeeping provides fresh linens and toilet paper each time they come. Our Wi-Fi is also provided by the residence. I am located in District 1 (D1) which is walkable and surrounded by amazing food options. My residence is also right next to the Consulate so I could not have a better commute unless I lived on the compound. I can leave my door and be at my desk within 10 minutes. If you do not have kids or a pet, you will likely live in one of the serviced apartments in D1. If you have kids or a pet, you will likely be moved into a house or apartment in District 2 (D2). The D2 houses are on a lovely compound with multiple pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, gyms, etc. but they are not serviced. The apartments in D2 are serviced apartments and are typically larger than the D1 apartments. They are also on a compound by the water. The biggest difference for me between D1 and D2 (besides the commute which can be up to 45 min on a bad day between the office and D2 ) is that D1 is in the middle of the city surrounded by local shops and local food options, and D2 is the expat area so many things are very westernized. - Jul 2024
Housing is mixed: large villas in a gated community with all the amenities, and near schools; spacious apartments (as big as five bedrooms) with many amenities also near schools; or smaller apartments walking distance from the Consulate. They just added a new apartment building to the pool, but it is furthest away from Consulate. It is not walking distance to anything worth walking to...there is only one small family there now. - Sep 2021
We lived in a serviced apartment downtown near the Independence Park. I usually walked to work (10-15 minutes). Three-bedroom, two-bath. The building is excellently maintained, the staff are very responsive. Small gym, indoor pool, yoga room, and small playroom for little kids. - Jul 2019
Masses of huge apartment buildings are going up in District 2, which used to be semi-countryside, Villas in and out of compounds, local houses, as long as you can handle the noise from the neighbours. - Mar 2016
We have many serviced apartments in District 1, which is where the consulate is. Out in District 2, which is a 15-20 minute drive to the consulate (30-40 with traffic), we have about 6 houses in a very nice compound on the main strip of Thao Dien with shops and restaurants. Then we have 8 apartments in Riverside. This is where we live, and we couldn’t be happier. The apartments are a little outdated, but the outdoor space and amenities make living here great. We are next door to the International School of HCMC. Nearby there is a park, a pool, restaurants, spa, market, coffee shop, kids' garden, gym, yoga classes, Zumba classes, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball court, and a bus and boat shuttle into D1 multiple times throughout the day. Riverside has one of the largest green spaces here. - Aug 2015
We live in an expat area with lots of compounds. Houses are fairly large, concrete. Split pack air conditioners. Commutes vary greatly based on where you live and work. From our house in district 2 to work in district 1, it takes anywhere from 15 minutes (Sunday morning) to 40 minutes on a rough morning with flooded streets and traffic. - May 2014
Apartments are a big plus. That is pretty much across the board. Most of my visitors ask me about my favorite place in HCMC, and I say my apartment. After all, almost every where delivers. Families are out in a compound outside of the city. You must have a car and you must fight this traffic. Most people dislike the commute, many try to find a place in the city in the long run. - Jul 2011
We live in the very center of HCMC in a furnished Condo with 12 floors, a pool and a small restaurant. We can be anywhere within 20 mins or less. There are good taxi's and also motor bike taxis called Xe Om (pronounced Say Om. If you get to know a couple of the old guys that stand on your street corner with their motor bikes, they make very good modes of transport, they look out for you. Helmets must be worn here it's the law and is enforced, but they are mostly building site plastic things. we brought 2 good strong helmets from the USA (made in China of course sigh!)Across the river a longer commute, 20 minutes from center on a motor bike, 40 minutes in a car not rush hour,as bad as a couple of hours if in rush hour and construction going on. This area is called Anh Phu and is where all the compounds and schools are, good facilities for families with children. - Sep 2010
Compounds of varying quality, huge apartment blocks, local houses for expats; and prices have finally come down. - Nov 2009
There is one compound for families and several high-rise full-service apartments with three bedrooms, two baths, pools and gyms. - Dec 2008
