Top 15 Notable Urban Areas in Ho Chi Minh City: Locations and Key Features

HCMC offers a diverse range of urban developments, varying in scale, planning approach and residential character. These differences influence connectivity, amenities, community environments and long-term living quality. Understanding how they compare can help buyers identify locations that align with their lifestyle, housing needs and investment objectives. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. An Overview of Urban Developments in HCMC 1.1. Urban Developments, Residential Areas and Mixed-Use Developments 1.2. How Planning Shapes Urban Development in HCMC 2. Leading Urban Developments in Ho Chi Minh City 2.1. Phu My Hung 2.2. Thu Thiem New Urban Area 2.3. Sala 2.4. Empire City 2.5. The Global City 2.6. Vinhomes Grand Park 2.7. Van Phuc City 2.8. Vinhomes Central Park 2.9. Celadon City 2.10. Mizuki Park 2.11. Vinhomes Golden River 2.12. Lakeview City 2.13. Dragon City 2.14. CityLand Park Hills 2.15. Him Lam Tan Hung 3. The Role of Urban Developments in HCMC's Growth 3.1. Improving Social Infrastructure and Integrating Urban Functions 3.2. Expanding the City and Supporting a Polycentric Model Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions

1. An overview of urban developments in HCMC

The growth of urban areas in HCMC has created a diverse range of residential options, from large-scale master-planned townships to smaller mixed-use developments. While many are marketed as integrated urban communities, their scale, infrastructure, amenities and connectivity vary significantly. Understanding these differences can help buyers compare residential areas in HCMC more effectively and identify developments that best match their lifestyle and long-term housing needs.

1.1. Urban developments, residential areas and mixed-use developments

While closely related, these three terms differ in their scope and function:

• Urban development: A comprehensively planned area combining housing with transport links, technical infrastructure, green spaces and public services. Under QCVN 01:2021/BXD, a residential planning unit comprises housing clusters, public and service facilities, green spaces, internal roads and parking.
• Residential area: A broad term for an area where people live, including but not limited to, an established neighbourhood or a purpose-built residential project. Not every residential area has the defined boundaries and functions of a standalone urban development.
• Mixed-use development: A project combining several uses, such as housing, retail, offices, accommodation and leisure. It may operate independently or form part of a larger urban development.

1.2. How planning is shaping urban development in HCMC

Residential development in HCMC is increasingly concentrated in the east, south and along the Saigon River, where larger land parcels enable more comprehensive planning. Compared with established central districts, these areas provide greater opportunities to integrate housing, transport infrastructure, green space and public amenities within a single development framework.

This direction is reinforced by Decision No. 1125/QD-TTg, which approved the adjustment to HCMC's General Master Plan to 2040, with a vision to 2060. The plan adopts a polycentric urban model comprising six subregions connected by nine radial corridors, three ring roads and two strategic development corridors, including one centred on the Saigon River. Together, these initiatives are expected to support the continued growth of new urban areas beyond the traditional city centre.

Each urban or mixed-use development within this network will serve a distinct combination of residential, commercial and service functions. 

2. Leading urban developments in Ho Chi Minh City

The following selection covers large urban developments and notable mixed-use projects across Ho Chi Minh City. To support comparison, each is assessed against five criteria: location and connectivity, development scale, property types, planning characteristics and current operational status. The order of presentation does not indicate a market ranking.

2.1. Phu My Hung

• Location: Tan My and Tan Hung wards, District 7, HCMC.
• Developer: Phu My Hung Development Corporation.
• Scale: 750 ha, comprising five functional urban clusters.
• Property types: Apartments, low-rise housing, offices and retail premises.
• Development status: Established and operational, with further projects being added.

Phu My Hung’s appeal lies in its established urban environment, where housing connects with education, healthcare, retail and public spaces. It is particularly suited to buyers who prioritise existing amenities and want to assess the living environment in person before purchasing.

2.2. Thu Thiem New Urban Area

• Location: An Khanh Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC.
• Scale: 657 ha.
• Property types: High-end apartments, houses, offices, commercial premises and public facilities.
• Development status: Several component projects are operational, while technical and social infrastructure continues to develop.

Thu Thiem forms part of the strategy to extend HCMC’s centre to the eastern bank of the Saigon River, with a master plan to serve the wider city. The area offers a range of residential options, from luxury apartments to new apartments in HCMC and waterfront residences. This mix will contribute to differences in delivery schedules and operational characteristics between component developments, including Sala and Empire City.

• The OpusK Residence – The Metropole Thu Thiem: A high-end residential development near Ba Son Bridge, offering premium residences with convenient access to District 1 and the existing city centre. 
• Thu Thiem Zeit River: A premium residential development featuring apartments, duplexes, penthouses, shophouses and townhouses. Its location offers convenient connections to District 1 and other central areas. 
• The River Thu Thiem: A luxury riverside residential development offering apartments, penthouses, sky villas and pool villas, combining waterfront living with access to the city centre. 
• Palm River: A luxury riverside residential development in the Nam Rach Chiec area, within the Palm City masterplan. The project features four 36-storey towers, with apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, duplexes and penthouses. Its location offers convenient access to Thu Thiem, District 1 and major transport routes.

2.3. Sala

• Location: Mai Chi Tho Boulevard, An Khanh Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC.
• Developer: Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment Corporation.
• Scale: 257 ha, including an ecological park.
• Property types: Low-rise housing, including shophouses and villas, high-end apartments, offices and shopping centres.
• Development status: Several neighbourhoods are established and operational, with further phases under development.

Sala combines low-density development, open spaces and extensive landscaping near central HCMC. Completed neighbourhoods allow buyers to assess the existing living environment, while subsequent phases continue to broaden the range of properties available. THISO Mall Sala provides shopping, dining and leisure facilities, adding to the development’s wider amenity offering.

2.4. Empire City

• Location: An Khanh Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC, on the Saigon River within Thu Thiem NUA.
• Developer: Empire City Limited Liability Company.
• Scale: 14.6 ha.
• Property types: High-end apartments, offices and retail premises.
• Development status: Several residential phases have been handed over and are operational.

Empire City provides a riverfront setting and mixed-use master plan with homes, workplaces and leisure facilities within a distinctive community.

Alongside its residential phases, Empire City plans to develop Empire 88 Tower, an 88-level mixed-use complex based on the published design proposal. The scale is expected to combine apartments, a hotel, commercial space and an observation deck, with elevated gardens as a central design feature. It is intended to become an architectural landmark for Thu Thiem.

Upcoming residential phases at Empire City:

• Linden Residences
• Tilia Residences
• Cove Residences
• Narra Residences

2.5. The Global City

• Location: Do Xuan Hop Street, An Phu Ward, bordering Binh Trung, Thu Duc City, HCMC.
• Scale: 117.4 ha.
• Developer: Saigon Development and Investment Corporation (SDI Corp).
• Property types: Commercial townhouses, villas, high-end apartments and commercial premises.
• Development status: The SOHO precinct is operational, while other phases remain under development.

The Global City, also known as New Downtown, is gradually taking shape as an urban district with commercial activity, public spaces and an established residential community. Its combination of low-and high-rise neighbourhoods supports a range of residential, business and investment requirements in eastern HCMC.

Developing phases at The Global City:

• Masteri Grand View
• Lumiere Midtown
• Masteri Park Place
• Masteri Cosmo Central
• SOHO
• SOLA Peninsula

2.6. Vinhomes Grand Park

• Location: Long Binh and Long Thanh My wards, Thu Duc City, HCMC, close to Ring Road 3.
• Developer: Vinhomes JSC.
• Scale: 271 ha.
• Property types: Apartments, townhouses, villas and shophouses.
• Development status: Several phases have been handed over and accommodate established residential communities.

The scale of Vinhomes Grand Park allows housing to be integrated with a large park, shopping centre, schools and healthcare facilities. These amenities support a substantial residential community and provide buyers in eastern Ho Chi Minh City with a broad choice of market segments, property types and stages of completion.

Upcoming projects at Vinhomes Grand Park:

• The Beverly Solari
• Masteri Central Point
• The Opus One
• Glory Heights
• Lumiere Boulevard

2.7. Van Phuc City

• Location: National Highway 13 frontage, Hiep Binh Phuoc Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC.
• Scale: 98 ha.
• Developer: Van Phuc Group.
• Property types: Commercial townhouses, villas, high-end apartments, commercial premises and service facilities.
• Development status: Low-rise neighbourhoods are established and occupied; future phases are planned.

Van Phuc City draws on its natural riverfront setting to shape the master plan. The Saigon River, central lake and canal network connect with residential neighbourhoods and service infrastructure to create a landscape-led living environment. These features support its positioning as a location for long-term property ownership and potential capital growth in northern HCMC.

2.8. Vinhomes Central Park

• Location: Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Ward 22, formerly Thanh My Tay, Binh Thanh District, HCMC.
• Developer: Vinhomes JSC.
• Scale: 43.91 ha.
• Property types: High-end apartments, low-rise villas, offices and retail premises.
• Development status: Fully completed and operational.

Vinhomes Central Park, also known as Vinhomes Tan Cang, brings housing, retail, education, healthcare and a large riverside park together within a single master plan. Landmark 81 provides a distinctive architectural focal point, while the established amenities allow buyers to assess daily living conditions before making a purchase.

2.9. Celadon City

• Location: Tan Son Nhi Ward, Son Ky area, in western HCMC.
• Developer: Gamuda Land.
• Scale: 82 ha.
• Property types: High-end apartments, commercial premises and recreational facilities.
• Development status: Residential phases and amenities are completed and operational.

Green spaces and landscaping are central to Celadon City’s master plan. Its extensive parkland, shopping centre, sports complex and completed apartment neighbourhoods provide an integrated living environment for residents in western HCMC.

2.10. Mizuki Park

• Location: Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard, Binh Hung Commune, Binh Chanh District, in southern HCMC.
• Developer: Nam Long Group.
• Scale: 26 ha.
• Property types: Apartments, townhouses, villas and social housing.
• Development status: Several phases have been handed over and are occupied.

Mizuki Park’s landscape-led master plan uses waterways as the central feature connecting residential clusters, walking routes and community amenities. Its housing offer spans mass-market to high-end properties, supporting residential occupancy and providing a basis for long-term property value and liquidity in the southern market.

2.11. Vinhomes Golden River

• Location: 2 Ton Duc Thang Street, Sai Gon Ward, HCMC.
• Developer: Vingroup.
• Scale: 25.3 ha.
• Property types: Apartments, villas, commercial premises and service facilities.
• Development status: The development has an established residential community.

Vinhomes Golden River occupies a central location on the Saigon River, and combines apartment towers and villas with landscaped areas, communal spaces and on-site amenities. Its proximity to Ba Son Station on Metro Line 1, together with access to Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Huu Canh streets, connects residents with the city’s employment, retail and service destinations.

2.12. Lakeview City

• Location: Binh Trung Ward, close to the Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway.
• Scale: 30 ha.
• Property types: Townhouses, terraced houses and villas.
• Development status: The residential development has been completed and handed over.

Lakeview City is arranged around a landscaped lake of 3.6 ha. Townhouses, villas, green spaces and water features create a coherent low-rise residential setting, with access to developing areas in the east of the city.

2.13. Dragon City

• Location: Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Nha Be Commune.
• Scale: 65 ha.
• Property types: Villas, townhouses, apartments and offices.
• Development status: Component projects are at different stages of development.

Dragon City comprises a collection of projects along the Nguyen Huu Tho corridor. This structure provides a range of properties, from low-rise homes to apartments and offices, serving different residential and commercial requirements in southern HCMC.

2.14. CityLand Park Hills

• Location: Phan Van Tri Street, Go Vap Ward.
• Scale: 26.98 ha.
• Property types: Villas, townhouses, and apartments.
• Development status: Completed, with an established residential community.

CityLand Park Hills combines housing with commercial facilities, education, healthcare and public squares within an established urban area. Its Go Vap location gives residents access to existing local amenities, with connections to the airport area and northern HCMC.

2.15. Him Lam Tan Hung

• Location: Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Scale: 58.4 ha.
• Property types: Low-rise housing and apartments.
• Development status: Established and operational, with a mature residential community.

Him Lam Tan Hung’s appeal lies in its established housing, infrastructure and residential character. Having developed over several years, the neighbourhood allows buyers to observe the living environment and assess property quality directly before deciding. 

Comparison of urban developments in HCMC 

3. The role of urban developments in HCMC’s growth

Large urban developments play a central role in the city’s spatial development strategy. Alongside increasing housing supply, they support a polycentric urban structure, improve social infrastructure and help ease pressure on the historic city centre.

3.1. Improving social infrastructure and integrating urban functions

New urban developments reflect a shift from single-use land subdivision towards more compact, mixed-use planning. Bringing homes, offices, retail, healthcare and parks together creates more self-contained communities, enabling residents to meet daily needs locally and reducing the need to travel into the existing city centre.

This integration takes three different forms:

• Established mixed-use centres, such as Phu My Hung and Vinhomes Central Park: Combine residential, retail and office uses, supporting both day-to-day living and employment activity.
• Large satellite developments, such as Vinhomes Grand Park and The Global City: Provide a range of housing options alongside schools, healthcare facilities, retail and other social infrastructure serving large resident populations.
• Landscape-led developments, such as Celadon City, Mizuki Park and Van Phuc City: Incorporate extensive parks, waterways and open space within the master plan to enhance the living environment and support local microclimates.

3.2. Expanding the city and supporting a polycentric model

The distribution of existing urban developments aligns with the direction set out in HCMC’s General Master Plan under Decision No. 1125/QD-TTg, supporting expansion along the city’s key development corridors.

In the east, Thu Thiem serves as a new financial and commercial centre extending from District 1. Together with Vinhomes Grand Park, The Global City and Lakeview City, it forms a group of developments supporting growth in Thu Duc City.

In the south, Phu My Hung, Mizuki Park and Dragon City shape a corridor of landscape-led and riverside developments along Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard and Nguyen Huu Tho Street.

In the west and north, projects such as Celadon City, Akari City and CityLand Park Hills help renew residential areas and add service infrastructure to established urban neighbourhoods.

Beyond easing residential pressure, new urban developments help maximise the benefits of regional infrastructure, including Ring Road 3, expressways and Metro Line 1. They provide a foundation for the city’s gradual shift towards transit-oriented development (TOD), supporting a more coordinated distribution of residents and economic activity.

Conclusion

HCMC offers a diverse range of urban developments, each suited to different lifestyles, budgets and residential priorities. Factors such as location, connectivity, housing type, community maturity, landscaping and the availability of amenities all influence the quality of daily living.

Before making a purchase, buyers should define their budget, commuting requirements, preferred property type and priority amenities. Visiting developments, reviewing legal documentation and distinguishing completed facilities from plans can help ensure the selected property aligns with practical housing needs.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between an urban development and a residential area in HCMC? 

An urban development follows a comprehensive master plan integrating housing with technical infrastructure, social infrastructure and service facilities. A residential area is a broader term for a place where people live. It can include an established neighbourhood, an area undergoing urban renewal or a collection of separate property developments. 

Is Thao Dien a standalone urban development? 

Thao Dien is not a single, standalone urban development. It is an established residential area comprising villas, apartment towers, commercial premises and service facilities developed across multiple projects. Under the subdivision plan for the area north of Hanoi Highway, now Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard, Thao Dien is designated for residential use combined with public facilities serving the local residential planning unit. 

Why are some locations described as affluent neighbourhoods? 

An affluent neighbourhood is an informal expression used in everyday conversation and the media. It is not a legal term or an official planning classification. 

The phrase generally refers to areas with a concentration of high-end properties, including villas and luxury apartments, international-standard services and substantial investment in local infrastructure. It describes an area’s broad market image rather than every housing type or all residents within it. 

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