District 4
The Foodie
"Unpretentious, generous, and utterly authentic. District 4 is that friend who insists on taking you to 'the real Saigon'—the one where plastic stools outnumber chairs, where seafood is so fresh it was swimming an hour ago, and where locals welcome you with open arms and another round of bia hoi."
District 4 doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. While District 1 dresses up for tourists, District 4 is busy feeding the soul of Saigon—one steaming bowl at a time.
This densely packed district hugs the Saigon River and is considered by many to have the best street food in the entire city. Vinh Khanh Street is the stuff of legend: as sunset approaches, the street transforms into an open-air seafood carnival. Vendors spread out grills on the sidewalk, cooking clams, shrimp, and fish while young Saigonese crowd onto tiny plastic stools, beer in hand, celebrating the end of another day.
Ton Dan Street offers nearly every Vietnamese street food you can imagine—banh xeo (sizzling crepes), bun rieu cua (crab noodle soup), and com tam (broken rice with grilled pork). Prices are shockingly low: a full meal rarely exceeds $3, even though you're eating in the heart of the city.
But the real magic is in the alleys. Alley 200 Xom Chieu is a hidden world where grandmothers cook family recipes passed down through generations. Doan Van Bo street winds through neighborhoods where architecture is delightfully chaotic—tiny houses stacked like Tetris blocks, laundry hanging overhead, kids playing soccer in impossibly narrow lanes.
District 4 is Saigon with its guard down—genuine, welcoming, and utterly delicious.
Neighborhoods
Vinh Khanh Street
Seafood street food paradise, especially at night
Lively, Social, Seafood-centric
Ton Dan Street
Comprehensive Vietnamese street food lineup
Bustling, Authentic, Affordable
200 Xom Chieu
Hidden alley with family-run food stalls
Local, Hidden, Traditional
Doan Van Bo
Residential maze with surprises around every corner
Residential, Quirky, Real
Famous For
- •Vinh Khanh seafood street
- •Incredibly cheap and authentic street food
- •Bia hoi (fresh beer) culture
- •Local markets
- •Saigon River views
Hidden Gems
200 Xom Chieu Alley
A labyrinth of family-run food stalls with recipes passed through generations
💡 Go with a local or follow your nose—signage is minimal
Early morning markets
Witness Saigon's commerce in action before 7 AM
💡 Bring small bills and a smile—English is rare but warmth is universal
River coffee spots
Unmarked cafes along the Saigon River with stunning views
💡 Ask locals for 'ca phe song'—river coffee
When to Visit
Evening (6-10 PM) for Vinh Khanh seafood street at its liveliest. Early morning (5-8 AM) for markets and authentic breakfast. Avoid midday heat—locals retreat indoors.
Getting There
South of District 1, across the Khanh Hoi Bridge. Grab is your friend. Motorbike rides through the alleys are an adventure in themselves.
Local Saying
Ăn ngon, bổ, rẻ
An ngon, baw, zeh
"Delicious, nutritious, cheap"
The District 4 promise at every food stall
Did You Know?
District 4 is one of the most densely populated districts in Ho Chi Minh City despite being quite small
The district was once an island before canals were filled in
A bowl of soup in District 4 costs $2-3 despite the central location
Locals say you haven't truly eaten in Saigon until you've sat on a plastic stool in District 4