To the east of Ho Chi Minh City is another outskirt district, connecting the city with the provinces in the north and east. Learn more about this district – District 9 – in our guide and discover the fun activities you can enjoy here.
District 9 Overview
District 9 was on the outskirts of Thu Duc District in the past, and since January 2021, it has become part of Thu Duc City as part of the Ho Chi Minh City urbanization plan. It was also the area receiving constant attacks from the armies of the US and former Southern Vietnam’s government. After years of destruction from the war, District 9’s economy still hasn’t recovered fully, and it stays a rural area despite its convenient location.
Located east of Ho Chi Minh City, District 9 is the gateway to Bien Hoa, Dong Nai Province, via the Hanoi and Dong Nai River waterways. The district’s authority also plans to take advantage of its vast natural beauty and turn District 9 into a hi-tech cultural and ecological tourism center. In the area of 113.62 square km, about 1.5 times that of District 1, there are 13 wards, over 125,000 households, and many enterprises, universities, and research institutions in Saigon Hi-tech Park.
The arrangement of functions of District 9’s neighbors has made the establishment of this park possible. To the north and east of the district is Dong Nai Province – the industrial area with many factories of all kinds, while its west side is the college town – Thu Duc District, and the south is the new expat town – District 2. Di An Town, Binh Duong Province, another industrial area, is only a 30-minute drive from the hi-tech park. This establishment has brought more investment and business to the district, such as inns and transportation for foreign and local workers.
How to Get to District 9
It is roughly 20 km from District 1 to get to District 9. With such a long distance, the public bus is one of the locals’ common choices to travel there. You can catch bus 19 from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien Theme Park or the Saigon Hi-tech Park. The bus fare costs VND 6,000, but it will take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. Another option is the taxi, which costs about VND 250,000 – VND 300,000. The motorbike is not recommended as there could be many traffic accidents on the Hanoi Highway, the fastest road to District 9 from the city center.
Attractions in District 9
Historical landmarks
An important landmark of District 9 is Bot Day Thep (Barbed Wire Station). This location was built as a telegram transmission station for the French, but it also had a secret basement for prison people here. Anyone suspected of joining the revolutionary movements would be caught and brought here by the French soldiers. Many Vietnamese died in this station because of the imprisonment and torture.
Religious Temples
District 9 is also the home of many old pagodas and temples from the 18th and 19th centuries, like Phuoc Tuong, Thoi Linh, and Buu Thanh Temple. A newer Buddhist architecture that attracts many visitors for its rare design in Vietnam is the Buu Long Pagoda, built in 1942. This pagoda’s architecture reflects Angkor Wat and Cham’s culture, like those from Thailand with golden conical roofs. It is located inside the Historical and Cultural Park, in an area of over 110,000 square meters.
Another religious destination that is famous among the locals is the Tam Linh Viet Temple. This temple is a private construction of a celebrity-comedian in Vietnam, dedicated to the gods and founders of the art. Every year, on the 12th of the eighth month of the Lunar Calendar, at this spiritual place for artists and performers, especially those in Southern Vietnam, there is a big ceremony to pay respect to the gods and to ask for their blessing in one’s artistic career. The temple is also open to visitors every Sunday, the 1st and 15th day of every month in the Lunar Calendar. Besides these places are Catholic churches across the district and the Hung King’s Memorial Temple, where many of Ho Chi Minh’s citizens come to pray at Hung King’s Festivals.
Amusement Parks
District 9 does not lack entertainment areas on its way to development. One of them is Suoi Tien Park, the most well-known man-made park for many years. This park is suitable for family picnics and day trips. Waterparks and recreational areas have cultural themes such as national heroes and mythical creatures. During the Hung King Festival, a ceremony is also held in the park, attracting many local visitors.
Other attractions and activities in District 9
| Name | Entrance Fee | Address | Category |
| Bot Day Thep | Free | Le Van Viet, Tang Nhon Phu A Ward | Historical site |
| Hung Kings Memorial Temple | Free | 207/2 Xa Lo Ha Noi (Hanoi Highway), Long Binh Ward | Religious site |
| Buu Long Pagoda | Free | 81 Nguyen Xien, Khu Pho Thai Binh 1, Long Binh Ward | Religious site |
| Thoi Linh Pagoda | Free | 191 Long Phuoc, Ap Long Thuan, Long Phuoc Ward | Religious site |
| Phuoc Tuong Temple | Free | 13/32 Tang Long, Tang Nhon Phu A Ward | Religious site |
| Tan Hoa Pagoda | Free | 115 Nam Cao, Tan Phu Ward | Religious site |
| Buu Thanh Temple | Free | 50D Nguyen Duy Trinh, Ap Ong Nhieu, Long Truong Ward | Religious site |
| Phuoc Long (Chau Doc 3) | Free | 2 Cu Lao, Long Binh Ward | Religious site |
| Tam Linh Viet | Free | Duong 5, Long Phuoc Ward | Religious site |
| Tan Duc Church | Free | Do Xuan Hop, Phuoc Binh Ward | Religious site |
| Thanh Cam Church | Free | 12 Duong 11, Ap Chan Phuc Cam, Long Thanh My Ward | Religious site |
| Minh Duc Church | Free | 10 Duong 154, Ap Cay Dau, Tan Phu Ward | Religious site |
| Thanh Tam Church | Free | 43 Tran Hung Dao, Khu Pho 1, Hiep Phu Ward | Religious site |
Suoi Tien Theme Park | Entrance: VND 120,000/adult Waterpark VND 100,000/adult | 120 Xa Lo Ha Noi, Tan Phu Ward | Amusement park |
| BCR Complex (paintball, water sports, kayak, handicraft, etc.) | VND 30,000 – VND 200,000 for activities | 191 Tam Da, Truong Thanh Residential Area, Truong Thanh Ward | Amusement park |
| Long Island | VND 100,000 | 173 Long Thuan, Long Phuoc Ward | Amusement park |
| Tam Da Lotus Lake | VND 30,000 | Tam Da, Truong Thanh Ward | Ecological recreation |
| Tu De Stork Garden | VND 100,000 – VND 550,000 for entrance and other services | 124/31 Nguyen Xien, Long Thanh My Ward | Ecological recreation |
| Vinhomes Grand Park | Free | Nguyen Xien, Long Thanh My | Amusement park, night market |
Eating in District 9
Most of District 9’s area is dedicated to the hi-tech park and ecological tourism center, so it is easier to find restaurants in or near these places. You can also go to the streets where many eateries gather, like Le Van Viet, Do Xuan Hop, and Tang Nhon Phu, to look for your favorite local foods.
| Category | Location |
| Vietnamese Cuisine | Broken Rice: Com Tam Phuc Loc Tho – 31-33 Le Van Viet, Hiep Phu Ward Tapioca Noodle Soup: Banh Canh Ghe – 26 Le Van Viet, Hiep Phu Ward Spicy Beef Noodle Soup: Bun Bo Hue – 506 Hoang Huu Nam, Long Binh Ward |
| Fast Foods | Domino’s Pizza – 196 Le Van Viet, Tang Nhon Phu B Ward KFC – 193 Le Van Viet, Hiep Phu Ward |
| Coffee Shops | Highlands Coffee – Lo I1-I2a-I2b, Duong D1, Tan Phu Ward Doc Coffee – 11 Dinh Phong Phu, Tang Nhon Phu B Ward |
Shopping in District 9
As a district quite far from the city center, few high-class shopping malls or stores exist. However, visiting District 9 is a perfect chance to experience an authentic Vietnamese lifestyle and scenery.
| Category | Address | What to Buy |
| Shopping Malls | Vincom Le Van Viet – 50 Le Van Viet, Hiep Phu Ward | Clothing, souvenirs, and accessories |
| Local Markets | Phuoc Long B Market – 9 Do Xuan Hop, Phuoc Long B Ward Man Thien Night Market – 228 Man Thien, Tan Phu Ward Nam Hoa Market – 9 Tay Hoa, Phuoc Long A Ward Tang Nhon Phu A Market – Le Van Viet, Tang Nhon Phu A Ward | Dried foods, foods, clothing, and accessories |
Nightlife in District 9
Most of the parks and recreational areas in District 9 only open from early morning, around 9 AM to 5 PM, and close at night. On the other hand, businesses like the night market, shopping mall, some eateries, and street foods (like those on Le Van Viet and Dinh Phong Phu Street) are active as the sun goes down. The Man Thien Night Market is no less exciting than the one in Thu Duc. You can find many items and foods at a low price, but you may want to consider their quality and safety before buying or consuming. Seeing the bustling market at night in a quiet area like District 9 could be an interesting experience.
Find accommodations around the District 9 area:
A Conclusion of District 9 in Ho Chi Minh City
After significant damage from the war, District 9 is slowly developing yet gradually becoming a center for ecological tourism and high-tech research in Ho Chi Minh City. Without many upscale activities and attractions, the district offers a more rustic and authentic experience of getting close to nature and understanding more about another side of the most dynamic city in Southern Vietnam.
Check out more things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:
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