Binh Thanh sits just north of District 1, across the Thi Nghe Canal, and has changed shape quickly over the past decade. It's home to Landmark 81, currently Vietnam's tallest building, along with a fast-expanding cluster of bars, live music venues and riverside cafés, particularly along Nguyen Huu Canh and the streets feeding into it.

What's changed

What was once a mostly residential, slightly overlooked district has become one of the city's more talked-about nightlife and lifestyle areas, helped along by the Landmark 81 complex (which includes a shopping mall, observation deck and several high-end dining options) and a wave of independent bars opening in converted houses nearby.

Good to know: Binh Thanh is less walkable and less polished than District 1 in places — footpaths can be uneven and infrastructure is still catching up with development. Expect to use taxis or ride-hailing more than you would in the centre.

Who it suits

Visitors who've spent a few days in District 1 already and want a change of pace, or anyone specifically chasing the Landmark 81 views and the newer bar scene. It's a reasonable, if less central, alternative base for longer stays at generally lower prices than District 1.

Known forLandmark 81, riverside bars, fast redevelopment
Best forNightlife, skyline views, a change of pace from D1
Distance to D1Roughly 10–20 minutes by taxi, depending on area