A guide to District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

[EDIT: District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City no longer exists. On January 1, 2021, districts 2, 9, and Thu Duc were merged to form Thu Duc City. This article remains as an archive of development that was happening in the District 2 area.]

District 2 in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the biggest urban development areas in Southeast Asia. The show case redevelopment project is the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, which is touted to become the new central business district of Ho Chi Minh City.

There are other names that are also used in relation to District 2 which you may sometimes encounter. Districts of Ho Chi Minh City are broken up into wards. There are 11 wards in District 2, one of which is Thu Them. As you will see in this post, some developments in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area aren’t technically in Thu Thiem, but the name Thu Thiem New Urban Area is becoming interchangeable with new city area of District 2.

East Ho Chi Minh City generally refers to the districts east of the Saigon River (District 2, District 9, and Thu Duc). East Ho Chi Minh City is sometimes referred to in relation to the new smart and innovative city, though news reports about what this means is lacking in detail. Given how big this area encompasses it’s not smart that there isn’t a bigger plan for public transport.

This article is a guide to the major project in District 2. It includes apartment towers, mixed use developments, public transport and infrastructure, along with public buildings and architectural landmarks. Projects are listed by ward and in no particular order.

District 2 Development Map

This map shows all of the projects mentioned in this article. It includes proposed metro stations that are within District 2.

[View map of District 2 Ho Chi Minh City.]

Thu Thiem

This section has moved to: Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

Thao Dien

Thao Dien Ward is an enclave formed by the Saigon River and the Hanoi Highway. In the space of a few years Thao Dien has become one of the most desirable neighbourhoods in Saigon. Much of that has to do with the construction of metro Line 1. A canyon of apartment towers has sprung up along the path of the metro line, which is due to open at the end of 2020 (though more likely later given the current delays).

d’Edge Thao Dien

Address: Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Capitaland.

d’Edge Thao Dien by CapitaLand is an apartment development featuring 273 units with a skyline infinity swimming pool connecting the two towers.

Gateway Thao Dien

Address: 2 Le Thuoc Street, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: SonKim Land.
Official Website: gatewaythaodien.com.vn
Status: Completed.

King Crown Village

Address: 200 Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Bamboo Capital Group (BCG).

King Crown Village is a riverfront villas project in Thao Dien, comprising of 17 luxury villas in Phase 1, followed by a modern 25-storey building in Phase 2. BCG will participate as the project developer while the project owner is Sao Sang Saigon Joint Stock Company, which is also a subsidiary of Bamboo Capital Group.

Masteri An Phu

Address: 191 Hanoi Highway, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Thao Dien Investment.
Official Website: masterisehomes.com

Masteri An Phu is next to Gateway Thao Dien is what is now a built-up area, as apartment towers have sprung up around the future An Phu metro station. The is os on the boundary of Thao Dien and An Phu, so it’s not technically An Phu.

Masteri Thao Dien

Address: 159 Hanoi Highway, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Thao Dien Investment.
Official Website: masterisehomes.com
Status: Completed.

Masteri Thao Dien is a residential development featuring 4 towers ranging from 41 to 45 stories, and Vincom Mega Mall Thao Dien. The property is located next to the future An Phu metro station, which will be connected to the mall. The metro has been a driving force of apartment construction along the Hanoi Highway.

Q2 Thao Dien

Address: Road no. 9, Road no. 10 and Vo Truong Toan Street, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Frasers Property.
Official Website: q2thaodien.com.vn

Thao Dien Pearl

Address: 12 Quoc Huong St, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: SSG Group.
Official Website: thaodienpearl.com

Thao Dien Pearl comprises of two apartment towers of 33 floors on a retail podium. In the future the property will be connected by a pedestrian bridge to Thao Dien station of metro line 1.

The Ascent

Address: 58 Quoc Huong, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Tien Phat Corp.

The Ascent is a 29-floor apartment tower by Tien Phat Corp, completed in April 2016.

The Nassim

Address: No. 30, Street 11, Thao Dien, District 2, HCMC.
Developers: SonKim Land and Hongkong Land.
Official Website: thenassim.vn

The Nassim is a premium condominium project near the Saigon River in Thao Dien. It comprises 4 towers with 238 residential units ranging from one to four bedrooms and penthouses, provided with in-house parking spaces. The future Metro train station (An Phu) is within a short distance.

An Phu

Cantavil An Phu

Address: Hanoi Highway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Daewon – Thu Duc Housing Development JSC.

2 36-storey residential towers on a retail podium. The mall includes the Parkson department store and Big C, and there is also office space.

Centana

Address: 196 Nguyen Thi Dịnh, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: An Phuc Vien Ltd.
Website: centana.vn

Centana features two towers (15 and 31 floors) that houses an officetel and apartments. The property is situated at the intersection of Mai Chi Tho, Nguyen Thi Dinh, and the Long Thanh Dau Giay expressway, and opposite the future Ga Thu Thiem site.

Estella Heights

Address: Ha Noi Highway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developers: Tien Phuoc and Keppel Land.
Official Website: estellaheights.com.vn
Status: Completed.

Estella Heights is a 4-tower apartment complex of 33 and 34 stories, with a shopping mall at the podium level.

Gem Riverside

Address: Nam Rach Chiec, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Dat Xanh Group.
Official Website: gemriverside.vn.

Gem Riverside is a multi-tower development of 12 blocks with 33-34 floors each. The property is designed as a riverside resort, with two sides sitting on a fork of the Giong Ong To river. It is near the Long Thanh – Dau Giay highway.

Lakeview City

Address: Long Thanh – Dau Giay Highway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Novaland.

Lakeview City is a new urban area of villas built around a lake and park.

Palm City

Address: Dau Giay Expressway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Keppel Land.
Official Website: palm-city.com.vn

Palm City is a 30.2 hectare integrated waterfront development located by Giong Ong To and Muong Kinh rivers in District 2. Palm City will be developed in phases, comprising of a mix of landed residential housing, shop houses, high-rise apartments, commercial buildings, shopping centre and supporting amenities including kindergarten, school, hospital, parks and riverside walkway.

Rach Chiec Sports Complex

Address: An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Status: ?

The Rach Chiec sports complex was originally proposed in 1994, but so far only an access road has been built. It was originally going to be on an area of 466 hectares, with a 50,000 seat stadium among other facilities. It was to be used for the 2021 Southeast Asia Games until it was awarded to Hanoi, where there are already established sporting facilities.

Raemian Galaxy City

Address: Luong Dịnh Cua, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: HDTC.
Website: raemiangalaxyvn.com
Status: Preparation.

At 131 hectares this is one of the biggest developments in the An Phu area. The project includes 24 towers up to 40-storeys high, villas, and shopping and entertainment precincts.

Rome By Diamond Lotus

Address: Mai Chi Tho and Dong Van Cong St, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Phuc Khang Corporation.

Rome Diamond Lotus will be a 30-storey luxury apartment tower on the corner opposite the future Thu Thiem main train station.

Saigon Sports City

Address: An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Keppelland.
Status: Preparation.

Saigon Sports City is a 64-hectare development that will integrate a new living area with a sporting centre. This is next to the proposed Rach Chiec Sports Complex, so it’s not clear if this is part of the same project or just part of grand sports precinct.

The Estella

Address: Ha Noi Highway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developers: Tien Phuoc and Keppel Land.
Status: Completed.

The Estella is an eight-block development varying in height from 20 to 25 stories. The 5-hectare site has a garden and swimming pool area in the middle, giving the site a resort feel. The Estella is behind Estella Heights, which fronts the Hanoi Highway.

The Palace Residence

Address: Ha Noi Highway & Mai Chi Tho Avenue, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Novaland Group

The Palace Residence project is on an L-shaped block with frontage on the Ha Noi Highway & Mai Chi Tho Avenue, next to Estella Heights and the Minh Dang Quang Buddhism Institute.

The Sun Avenue

Address: 28 Mai Chi Tho Avenue, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Novaland.

The Sun Avenue is a mixed-use development stretching over 500 metres along Mai Chi Tho Avenue. The site features 8 similar towers of 28-30 floors in height, with over 1,400 apartments in total. It’s located opposite the reserve for the future Ga Thu Thiem (the proposed new long-distance railway station).

The Vista

Address: 628C Ha Noi Highway, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Capitaland.
Status: Completed.

Located next to Thao Dien north of the Hanoi Highway, The Vista comprises five 28-storey towers. The development is comprised of apartments and serviced residences on a retail podium. It’s not far from the future Rach Chiec metro station (Line 1). The sixth tower is this group is Somerset Vista.

Thu Thiem Railway Station

Address: Mai Chi Tho, An Phu, District 2, HCMC.

Thu Thiem Railway Station (Ga Thu Thiem) is the planned new terminal for long distance railways in Ho Chi Minh City. This will also be the station for the Thu Thiem station of metro line 2. The redevelopment of the north-south railway has been in planning for years but it is still no closer to starting. A large parcel of land has been reserved for the station for when it eventually is built.

Binh Khanh

Binh Khanh ward is between Thu Thiem and An Phu wards, though new apartments here are being marketed as part of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area.

Central Park Apartment Complex

Address: Duong So 4, Binh Khanh, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Thuan Viet Construction & Investment Corporation.

Listed on Google Maps as Central Park Apartment Complex, this is better known as the resettlement apartment area. With thousands of homes being demolished to make way for new developments, these apartments were built with the intention of resettling displaced home owners. So far no buyers have taken up the offer and the building project is currently reminiscent of a ghost city in China. You can see the apartments from District 1, and from there it looks like it’s in a desolate location. I went and had a look and it’s actually not a bad location when you consider it’s not far from a future metro, and that the surrounding area will eventually be built out.

New City Thu Thiem

Address: 17 Mai Chi Tho, Binh Khanh, District 2, HCMC.
Developer: Thuan Viet Construction & Investment.
Official Website: newcitythuthiem.com.vn
Status: Completed.

New City Thu Thiem features four towers – Venice Tower (25 floors), Babylon Tower (25 floors), Hawaii Tower (28 floors), Bali Tower (28 floors).

Thanh My Loi

Thanh My Loi is District 2’s administrative centre, home to the D2 People’s Committee, D2 State Treasury, and courthouse.

Feliz en Vista

Address: 01 Phan Van Dang Street, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Capitaland.

Feliz en Vista is a 34-storey high-end condo development featuring 202 units.

One Verandah

Address: 7 Ta Hien, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Mapletree
Official Website: oneverandah.vn

One Verandah is a residential complex of five high-rise apartment blocks next to the Saigon River.

Thu Thiem Dragon

Address: So 50 P, Duong Quach Giai, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Website: thuthiemdragon.com.vn

Victoria Village

Address: Dong Van Cong Street, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Novaland

Victoria Village is a mixed residential development of 4 apartment towers with 24 floors, townhouses, and villas.

Vista Verde

Address: Dong Van Cong Street, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: CapitaLand
Official Website: vistaverde.com.vn

Vista Verde comprises of four 35-storey residential towers with views of the Saigon River and the surrounding city.

Waterina Suites

Address: Ta Hien Street, Thanh My Loi Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developers: Thien Duc and Maeda.
Official Website: waterinasuites.vn

Waterina Suites a 25-storey luxury apartment tower with 86 apartments. The tower was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, and the design represents the curves of the Saigon River and the terraced paddy fields of Vietnam.

Binh Trung Tay

Diamond Island

Address: Dao Kim Cuong (Diamond Island), Binh Trung Tay Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Kusto Home
Official Website: diamondisland.com.vn

Diamond Island is a luxury apartment development set on an island by the Saigon and Giong Ong To rivers. There are seven residential towers, swimming pool, fitness centre, and it has it’s own supermarket. The island is now connected by a bridge and it has a shuttle bus and water taxi service.

Binh Trung Dong

Kris Vue

Address: 543 Nguyen Duy Trinh Street, Binh Trung Dong Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Capitaland

Kris Vue is a residential project tailored by CapitaLand (headquartered in Singapore) in cooperation with Khang Dien. It includes 128 apartments designed in a boutique-hotel style.

Cat Lai

Cat Lai is best known for the port and all the heavy vehicle traffic that goes with it. The port is planned to be moved, making way for possible new developments in the future.

CitiEsto

Address: Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Cat Lai Ward, District 2, Vietnam, HCMC.
Developer: Kien A Corporation

Ho Chi Minh City Metro

Line 1

Line 1 of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro is currently the only line under construction. There are three stations within District 2, following the route of the Hanoi Highway in Thao Dien and An Phu.

Line 2

The District 2 section of Line 2 will go from Ben Thanh Station in District 1, under the river to the future Thu Thiem main train station. Another proposal has the metro extended from Ga Thu Thiem to Cat Lai, but this is not featured on the metro management website as an official plan.

I made an updated Ho Chi Minh City metro map which shows how District 2 will be connected in relation to the proposed network.

[HCMC Metro Map (download full resolution image here.]

Monorail Line 2

Forming part of the metro network are two monorail lines, one of which connects District 2 to District 7. There are no solid details for this so I’ve just placed stations pins on the map as an illustration, as the official map is barely legible.

Notes on this directory

I’ve listed the most notable projects here, including completed, under construction, planned, and never-built. This is an ongoing list. If you are a developer and you want your project listed feel free to email me to have it added.

This is not a paid listing or promotional list. Contact me for details on sponsored posts for property developments.