Located next to District 1, the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 4 is a crowded district where you can easily observe the ordinary daily lives of Vietnamese locals. It is also an ideal destination for food lovers as there is a wide variety of tasty street foods and several wonderful eating streets in District 4.
Map of District 4’s Attractions:
District 4 Overview
With a total area of about 4.2 square km, District 4 is considered the smallest district in Ho Chi Minh City. Located next to District 1, the center of Ho Chi Minh City, District 4 is generally an island surrounded by Saigon River at the northeast, Ben Nghe Canal at the northwest, and Te Canal at the South. There are 15 wards in District ranging from Ward 1 to Ward 18, except for Ward 7, Ward 11, and Ward 17, as they were merged with other wards.
Ho Chi Minh City Districts Overview
During the French colonial invasion, District 4 was known by names such as Xom Chieu and Khanh Hoi. These are still familiar to people of old Saigon regarding the land of District 4. The name “District 4” has been officially used since 1959.
How to Get to District 4
From Tan Son Nhat International Airport, it would take you about 35 minutes to get to District 4 by taxi, which costs approximately VND 120,000 to VND 150,000. However, if you book a four-seat car with Grab or Uber, this price could be slightly lower, ranging from VND 70,000 to VND 100,000.
From District 1, it would take you about 15 minutes to get to District 4 by car or motorbike. There are only two bus routes from District 1 to District 4, bus number 44 and bus number 46. You can easily get to know the Ho Chi Minh City bus system with the app Ho Chi Minh City Bus Map.
Attractions in District 4
District 4 is not a famous tourist destination for foreigners. However, you can find it interesting to see how locals work and live on a daily basis. Two popular types of attractions in District 4 are historical attractions and religious sites.
| Name | Entrance Fee | Address | Category |
| Nha Rong Wharf or Dragon Wharf – Ho Chi Minh Museum | Free | 1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Ward 12 | Historical attraction |
| Giac Nguyen Pagoda | Free | 129F/186/2 Ben Van Don, Ward 6 | Religious site |
| Linh Quang Tinh Xa | Free | 40/60 Nguyen Khoai, Ward 2 | Religious site |
| Khanh Hoi Church | Free | 98 Le Quoc Hung, Ward 12 | Religious site |
| Vinh Hoi Church | Free | 158 Ben Van Don, Ward 6 | Religious site |
| Xom Chieu Church | Free | 92B/20 bis Ton That Thuyet, Ward 16 | Religious site |
Eating in District 4
Being famous for several kinds of street eats, especially seafood, District 4 is such a paradise for any food lovers. You can easily catch sight of vendors, stalls, and small restaurants selling a wide variety of street foods, including Banh xeo, Bot chien (fried dough),Xoi (sticky rice), Banh trang nuong (Vietnamese pizza), and Banh mi along with almost every street in District 4.
| Category | Location |
| Seafood | Vinh Khanh street Xom Chieu Street |
| Street snacks | Doan Van Bo Street |
Shopping in District 4
Despite being located next to the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 4 is not a shopping center compared to District 1. However, there is a pretty big local market where you can buy Vietnamese food and local souvenirs such as clothes, accessories, and dried foods at reasonable prices.
Xom Chieu Market
Address: Le Quoc Hung, Ward 12
Nightlife in District 4
When the night falls, District 4 becomes lively with several restaurants, food stalls, and vendors selling street foods. It is also a top favorite place for Saigonese youngsters to gather and enjoy beer and food because it is near the city center and has many low price eateries.
Connecting District 1 to District 4, Mong Bridge is an ideal place for young people to gather together as well as a perfect dating venue for young couples at night. This bridge only serves pedestrians so you can sit and enjoy flavorful food and a wonderful night view.
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However, as District 4 used to be a port with people from all walks of life looking for better opportunities and conditions in the city, this district is considered quite dangerous for foreign tourists. Robbery and snatching are likely to take place frequently in many streets in District 4, especially Ton Dan Street and Mong Bridge. You should go out in the daytime, leave your valuable belongings at the hotels or secured with you, and even better if you could go with a local friend during your visit.
Check out more things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:
Summary of District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City
Despite not being a tourist district, District 4 can bring you joy and cheer with various eating streets and beautiful religious sites. This district offers a decent chance to adopt a different view of the daily lives of Vietnamese people and thoroughly explore Vietnamese street food culture.
Find accommodations around the District 4 area:
