1 BEDROOM in MASTERI THAO DIEN

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about staying in a 1 BEDROOM in MASTERI THAO DIEN, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The name sounds pretty corporate, you know? But this four-star setup in District 2 actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The thing about Thao Dien is that it’s sort of become the expat haven of Ho Chi Minh City, and staying here really gives you that vibe. I mean, you’re technically still in the chaos of Saigon, but it feels like this little bubble where you can actually breathe. The apartment itself sits in this sleek high-rise that honestly looks like it belongs in Singapore or something – all glass and modern lines. What I loved most was waking up to these massive floor-to-ceiling windows that let in ridiculous amounts of natural light. The bedroom’s got this clean, minimalist thing going on, and the bed was actually comfortable (which, let’s face it, isn’t always a given in Vietnam).

But here’s what really sold me on the place – the building’s amenities are legit. There’s this infinity pool on a higher floor where you can swim and look out over the Saigon River, which is pretty spectacular around sunset. The gym’s decent too, though it gets crowded around 7 PM when all the residents finish work. One thing that caught me off guard was how quiet it gets at night. You’d think being in District 2 you’d still hear the motorbike symphony, but the soundproofing is solid. The kitchen‘s fully equipped, which came in handy since there’s a decent supermarket right in the building’s lower level – super convenient when you want to grab breakfast stuff or just need water without venturing out into the heat. Getting around from here is actually pretty smooth; there are plenty of grab bikes, and if you’re heading to District 1, the taxi ride’s about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. The whole Thao Dien area has this interesting mix of local Vietnamese spots and international cafes, so you can get your pho fix in the morning and then grab proper coffee from an Australian-run place in the afternoon. I particularly loved this little banh mi cart that sets up right outside the building around 11 AM – the lady there makes these incredible grilled pork sandwiches that became my daily addiction.

Best hotels in Ho Chi Minh City range from luxurious high-rise properties in District 1 to boutique hotels in historic French Quarter and elegant accommodations overlooking the Saigon River and Ben Thanh Market.