Binh Thanh District is one of the districts in Ho Chi Minh City where you can get away from the crowded downtown. This old district may not be well-known to many tourists, but you can enjoy its authentic and buoyant spirit. If you are looking for an area where you can experience the casual life of local people but not far from the center, Binh Thanh District is an excellent choice to consider visiting.
Map of Binh Thanh District’s Attractions:
Binh Thanh District Overview
Located on the eastern side of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thanh District is surrounded by many small canals, such as Thi Nghe, Cau Bong, Van Thanh, and Thanh Da. It is close to District 1, District 3, and many other areas of Ho Chi Minh City such as Phu Nhuan District and Go Vap District.
The history of Binh Thanh District can be traced to the early 19th century. This old district was one of the first districts to be established in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), with a small community of many different ethnicities and cultures from other regions in Vietnam. Historically, people in the area relied on agriculture, fishing, and farming. Today, tourism is Binh Thanh District’s main economic activity. On an area of 20.76 square kilometers, about 480,000 people reside, and many office buildings are forming.
How to Get to Binh Thanh District
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it takes you about 30 minutes to get to Binh Thanh District by taxis, with the approximate price from VND 105,000 to VND 120,000. Or you can get your bus ticket online to travel to Binh Thanh.
From District 1 or other central districts of the city, it takes you about 20 minutes to get to Binh Thanh District by scooter or taxi. There is one more convenient way to visit this district is by bus. You can easily find a bus route to travel to Binh Thanh District at Ben Thanh bus station or on your phone with the app Ho Chi Minh City Bus Map.
Attractions in Binh Thanh District
Tomb of General Le Van Duyet (locally known as Lang Ong Ba Chieu)
Sipping a drink with a fantastic view of the city at Landmark 81
Attractions in Binh Thanh District are not well-known to foreign visitors or even locals from other regions and areas. But you can still find these places interesting because of their decoration and construction, which preserve many precious traditions of local people over time.
| Name | Entrance Fee | Address | Category |
| Tomb of Le Van Duyet | Free | 1 Vu Tung Street, Ward 1 | History mausoleum |
| Binh Quoi Tourist Village | Free | 48/10 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 28 | Recreational park |
| Dieu Phap Pagoda | Free | 188 No Trang Long Street, Ward 13 | Religious site |
| Gia Dinh Church | Free | 280 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Ward 2 | Religious site |
| Landmark 81 | Free | 208 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Tan Cang Vinhomes | Shopping and Entertainment |
Eating in Binh Thanh District
Binh Thanh is one of the most ancient residential areas of Ho Chi Minh City, where many of its residents are from different regions of Vietnam: the North, the Center, and the South. Therefore, the cultural activities are both diverse and vibrant, as well as the food. Here is the recommended list of your best local experiences in Binh Thanh District.
| Category | Location |
| Traditional dishes | Com tho chay 209 – 211 – 213 Dinh Bo Linh Street, Ward 26 From 6 AM to 10 PM Anh Tu grilled chicken 449 Le Quang Dinh Street, Ward 5 From 4 PM to 10 PM Banh xeo Binh Dinh Nau Oi |
| Street eats | Phan Van Han Street, Van Kiep Street, Huynh Man Dat Street, Truong Sa Street From 4 PM to 11 PM Sticky rice: Ba Chieu Market From 5 PM to 11 PM |
| Western food | Beefsteak Titi 67/4/118 Vu Huy Tan Street, Ward 3 From 8 AM to 10 PM Farm Potatoes (Nong Trai Khoai) 89 Pham Viet Chanh Street, Ward 19 From 5 PM to 11 PM Le Bordeaux |
| Coffee shops | Juliet’s Garden 97/5 Le Quang Dinh Street, Ward 14 From 6:30 AM to 10 PM Qi Garden Coffee 225 Nguyen Xi Street, Ward 13 From 7 AM to 10 PM |
Shopping in Binh Thanh District
Binh Thanh District does not have many grand shopping malls or stores like those in the central town, but it is a place where you can bargain for a cheap souvenir in a local market and enjoy traditional Vietnamese foods. There are some suggestions below for your shopping experience in this district.
| Location | Address | What to Buy |
| Pearl Plaza | 561 Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 25 | Clothes, Accessories |
| Vincom Plaza Saigon Res | 188 Nguyen Xi Street, Ward 26 | Clothes, Accessories |
| Ba Chieu Market | Corner of Bach Dang and Bui Huu Nghia Street, Ward 1 | Clothes, Accessories, Food, Vietnamese souvenirs |
| Thi Nghe Market | Near Thi Nghe Bridge – Phan Van Han Street, Ward 19 | Clothes, Accessories, Food, Vietnamese souvenirs |
Nightlife in Binh Thanh District
As mentioned above, Binh Thanh District is surrounded by many canals, which is why the main activity of the people here when night falls is spending time at the riverside while enjoying the pleasant breeze. You can walk along the canal or have dinner by the riverside with Vietnamese beer.
You can also experience the food as well as the atmosphere of Japan at the Little Tokyo on Pham Viet Chanh Street, with many Japanese restaurants and hotels.
Summary of Binh Thanh District in Ho Chi Minh City
If you are looking for a chance to experience the life of local people with many ancient cultures, Binh Thanh is where you can find those things. The pace of life in Binh Thanh District, now and then, has always been calm and not hurried, and most of the values reflected the authentic ways of life of the people here are still preserved.