District 7 (Phu My Hung)

District 7, particularly the Phu My Hung area, is Saigon's model urban community—a planned development that prioritizes livability over chaos. And yes, that makes it different from the rest of Saigon, but that's precisely the point.

This is where you'll find wide boulevards instead of motorbike-choked alleys. Where Crescent Mall offers 112,000 square meters of shopping, dining, and entertainment—rooftop water parks for kids, CGV cinemas, over 200 brands, and food courts with panoramic views. Where SC VivoCity provides family-friendly atmosphere and play areas that let parents actually relax.

The Phu My Hung area feels almost suburban by Saigon standards. Parks are actually green and maintained. International schools cluster here—ISHCMC, Australian International School, British International School—making it expat family central. Cafes cater to parents with strollers. Restaurants have high chairs and kid-friendly menus.

But District 7 isn't all sanitized modernity. Scrape past the malls and you'll find local markets, Vietnamese coffee shops where old men play chess, and pho stalls that have been serving the same recipe for decades. The Saigon River forms the eastern border, offering sunset views and breezy waterfront restaurants.

Is it the 'real' Saigon? No. But it's a real part of Saigon—one that shows how the city is evolving, where families can thrive, and where modern infrastructure meets Vietnamese warmth.