Touring the "international neighborhoods" in Ho Chi Minh City.

Instead of coming to Vietnam as tourists, many foreigners have chosen to live and work in Ho Chi Minh City with their families. At this point, settling down and adapting to their new life becomes their top priority. Like foreigners in other countries, foreigners in Vietnam also strive to integrate into the local culture, but generally, they still prioritize a sense of belonging and trust with those who share their race and language.

District 5 – Rich in the colors of ancient China

As one of the largest and oldest communities in Ho Chi Minh City, the Chinese community in District 5 has brought a distinctive way of life through its businesses and preserved unique cultural features. The area is famous for its temples with strong Chinese influences and its streets lined with herbal medicine shops, often referred to as the "Traditional Medicine Street" in the heart of Saigon. Even more special, during the Lunar New Year, the streets in this area become bustling and filled with vibrant red decorations.

The Chinese community in Ho Chi Minh City is always very welcoming, skilled in business, and maintains very close ties with other families within the same community. With the remarkable achievements they have made, the Chinese community in District 5 has become a unique highlight in the diverse foreign landscape of the city.

"Miniature Seoul" in District 7

Coming from a country with a deeply influential culture, the Korean community concentrated in District 7 has created a "miniature Seoul" right in this area.

Initially, Phu My Hung was the most preferred location for Koreans due to the privacy, security, and amenities of its apartments. The rapid economic, cultural, and social development of the area has attracted an increasing number of Koreans to settle there, making the "Korean Quarter" a thriving hub with many high-standard and upscale services that increasingly meet the needs of its residents. Kmart, LOTTE Mart, Skymart, and other retailers offer a full range of imported Korean goods; restaurants like Galbi Brothers, Mr.BBQ & SsAM, and K-CHEF TALE provide authentic Korean cuisine; and schools with a large Korean student population include the South Saigon International School (SSIS) and ABC International School.

However, to meet the growing demand of Korean residents in Vietnam, many new types of services and apartments have emerged. For families and Korean professionals living and working in Vietnam, accommodation is no longer limited to hotels or rental apartments. Currently, serviced apartments are a new form of accommodation that is gaining popularity because they offer convenience, warmth, and comfort to guests, making them feel like they are in their own home. Oakwood Residence Saigon, a serviced apartment located within the Saigon South Place complex (including the SC VivoCity shopping and entertainment center and the Mapletree Business Centre Grade A office building), is one of the prime examples of this type of apartment in Ho Chi Minh City. At Oakwood Residence Saigon, the apartments are luxuriously designed with elegant interiors and international-standard amenities, along with a modern gym, outdoor swimming pool, relaxing lounge area, apartment maintenance, and housekeeping services—just like a 5-star hotel. This is also why this upscale serviced apartment is trusted by many Korean families in District 7 as their accommodation during their business trips to Vietnam.

The bustling "Western Quarter" in District 1

With their free-spirited nature, love of new experiences, and strong commitment to creating value for themselves and their families, foreigners living in District 1 form a community with many unique characteristics. Known as the "heart of the city," District 1 is home to many of the largest and most modern commercial centers, residential areas, and hotels in Vietnam.

Not inferior to any city in the world, District 1 is home to many famous international brands spanning various fields from business and finance to trade and services. Its vibrancy and bustling atmosphere have attracted many residents from America and Europe, creating a crowded "Western Quarter." The image of Bui Vien Street with its lively music and sparkling lights, and De Tham and Huynh Thuc Khang streets with their lively conversations among Westerners every night, has become a familiar sight to the people of Saigon.

The eastern area of ​​District 2 is transforming and attracting Westerners.

Although a relatively new area, Thao Dien, District 2, also known as "East Street," attracts considerable attention from the expatriate community. Unlike the bustling District 1, Thao Dien boasts a unique charm, combining elegance and modernity with a distinct local culture, evident in its charming boutiques, shops, and small local eateries. At upscale projects like Masteri Thao Dien, Gateway Thao Dien, and HOLM..., it's common to see expatriate families with their children leisurely strolling through parks and tree-lined streets, or enjoying sophisticated dinners together. Recognizing this demand, many resort, restaurant, and shopping establishments have flourished in Thao Dien, District 2. Names like The Deck, Lubu, and River Cottage are becoming increasingly familiar to expats living there.

From initial feelings of unfamiliarity and apprehension, foreign families have begun to view this city as their "second home." Regardless of their origins, the expatriate community in Ho Chi Minh City has contributed to enriching the overall cultural landscape of Vietnam's most vibrant metropolis.

BK - XN