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A Day in Ho Chi Minh City: Life Beyond the Busy Streets

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In this story, our local contributor Nguyen takes us through his neighborhood, away from the city's famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Through his own video and observations, we discover the small details of daily life—from street food vendors and neighborhood shops to busy roads and quiet evenings. It's a personal look at the city as Nguyen experiences it, one ordinary day at a time.

By Nguyen — Local Contributor, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is often associated with crowded streets, motorbikes, and towering buildings. But most of my daily life happens somewhere less remarkable: the small alleys around my neighborhood.

I live in an area where I can find almost everything I need without traveling far. There are food stalls, fruit shops, hairdressers, pharmacies, coffee shops, and convenience stores. It's a busy city, but living here can be surprisingly convenient.

I decided to take a walk around my neighborhood, first in the afternoon and then in the evening, to show what an ordinary day looks like where I live.

Video: A Day in Ho Chi Minh City | Everyday Life in a Local Neighborhood

The alleys have their own schedule

At around 2 PM, my neighborhood is relatively quiet. There are still motorbikes passing through and people going about their business, but many of the food stalls are already preparing to close.

It's very different earlier in the day.

From around 9 AM, the alleys become much busier. Street food vendors serve students from a nearby high school and workers from local construction sites. Around 11 AM is one of their busiest periods, but by 2 PM, some vendors have finished serving their main customers.

It's something you might not notice if you simply pass through the neighborhood once. The same street can feel completely different depending on the time of day.

Motorbike riders pass small shops and a café on a narrow neighborhood road.
Motorbike riders pass small shops and a café on a narrow neighborhood road.
A narrow residential alley with parked motorbikes, hanging laundry, and Vietnamese flags.
A narrow residential alley with parked motorbikes, hanging laundry, and Vietnamese flags.
A street vendor's cart stands outside a home.
A street vendor's cart stands outside a home.

A fruit drink for 30,000 dong

During my afternoon walk, I stop at a fruit shop for a drink. There are several options, including strawberry, banana, avocado, and durian.

Durian is my favorite. It's a popular fruit in Vietnam, although I know its distinctive taste and smell aren't for everyone.

I originally planned to order a mixture of durian and avocado, but the shop had run out of durian that day. Instead, I chose avocado mixed with banana.

The drink cost around 30,000 Vietnamese dong, which I estimated at about US$1.20 at the time.

For me, being able to buy a fresh fruit drink from a small neighborhood shop is one of the conveniences of living here. I don't need to visit a shopping mall or a large restaurant to find something good to eat or drink.

A small fruit juice stall operates beside a leafy café entrance.
A small fruit juice stall operates beside a leafy café entrance.
An open-front grocery shop stocked with rice, bottled drinks, and household essentials.
An open-front grocery shop stocked with rice, bottled drinks, and household essentials.
A small neighborhood stall packed with hanging snacks, sweets, and bottled drinks.
A small neighborhood stall packed with hanging snacks, sweets, and bottled drinks.

Between the alleys and the main roads

One thing I always notice about Ho Chi Minh City is how quickly the surroundings change.

Inside my neighborhood, you'll find narrow streets, small businesses, and residential buildings. One of the tallest buildings near my home rises more than 20 floors, but the city center has a very different skyline, with much taller buildings and modern commercial developments.

Traffic is another noticeable difference. Even the roads near my home can become very crowded, especially around 5 PM when people are returning from work and school.

Crossing a busy road can be difficult for someone visiting Vietnam for the first time. Motorbikes and cars keep coming, and even a short crossing requires attention.

Older residential buildings, a construction site, and small shops along a neighborhood street.
Older residential buildings, a construction site, and small shops along a neighborhood street.
A weathered building with graffiti beside a street.
A weathered building with graffiti beside a street.
A planted sidewalk beside neighborhood shops.
A planted sidewalk beside neighborhood shops.
A modern glass-fronted building reflects the surrounding streets and buildings.
A modern glass-fronted building reflects the surrounding streets and buildings.

When the neighborhood settles down

I return outside in the evening, and the atmosphere has changed again.

The smaller alleys are quieter as people come home, rest, and spend time with their families. Some vehicles still pass through, but the daytime food stalls are no longer the center of activity.

On my way, I pass a neighborhood church. Ho Chi Minh City is home to people of different religions; I'm Buddhist myself, so it's one of those small reminders of the different communities living alongside one another.

After dinner, I decide to visit a convenience store to buy some yogurt.

There are several convenience store chains around the city, including Circle K, GS25, and 7-Eleven. I visit Circle K and pick up yogurt from Vinamilk, a well-known Vietnamese dairy brand.

It's an ordinary errand, but also something I appreciate about living here. Many everyday necessities are available within a short trip from home.

A child sits outside a home along an alley lined with laundry and parked motorbikes.
A child sits outside a home along an alley lined with laundry and parked motorbikes.
Looking up between residential buildings at balconies, windows, and bright yellow awnings.
Looking up between residential buildings at balconies, windows, and bright yellow awnings.
A pharmacy and nearby shops light up a neighborhood intersection at night.
A pharmacy and nearby shops light up a neighborhood intersection at night.
Streetlights reflect on a wet neighborhood alley as a motorbike approaches.
Streetlights reflect on a wet neighborhood alley as a motorbike approaches.

An ordinary evening in my city

After buying my yogurt, I spend a little time walking around my neighborhood.

The nearest park is about a kilometer away, so tonight I decide to stay closer to home.

I enjoy showing this side of Ho Chi Minh City because it's different from what people usually see in travel videos. There are no famous landmarks on this walk, just the streets I use, the shops I visit, and the routines of people living nearby.

Of course, there is another side to the city, with tall buildings, busy commercial districts, and very different surroundings. That's something I'd like to show another time.

But for today, this is my Ho Chi Minh City.

A wide sidewalk beside a brightly lit building and a road busy with evening traffic.
A wide sidewalk beside a brightly lit building and a road busy with evening traffic.
Motorbikes travel past illuminated shops and businesses after dark.
Motorbikes travel past illuminated shops and businesses after dark.
A warmly lit café welcomes visitors beneath leafy trees and a Vietnamese flag.
A warmly lit café welcomes visitors beneath leafy trees and a Vietnamese flag.

※ Disclaimer: This story was created by an independent local contributor and reflects their personal experiences, observations, and opinions. Experio does not independently verify all contributor-submitted information and is not responsible for inaccuracies, opinions, or changes in the circumstances described. If you have concerns regarding the accuracy, privacy, copyright, or appropriateness of any content, please contact support@experio.global.

Images in this Story

  • Motorbikes pass through a neighborhood street lined with small shops, residential buildings, and construction sites in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
  • Motorbike riders pass small shops and a café on a narrow neighborhood road.
  • A narrow residential alley with parked motorbikes, hanging laundry, and Vietnamese flags.
  • A street vendor's cart stands outside a home.
  • A small fruit juice stall operates beside a leafy café entrance.
  • An open-front grocery shop stocked with rice, bottled drinks, and household essentials.
  • A small neighborhood stall packed with hanging snacks, sweets, and bottled drinks.
  • Older residential buildings, a construction site, and small shops along a neighborhood street.
  • A weathered building with graffiti beside a street.
  • A planted sidewalk beside neighborhood shops.
  • A modern glass-fronted building reflects the surrounding streets and buildings.
  • A child sits outside a home along an alley lined with laundry and parked motorbikes.
  • Looking up between residential buildings at balconies, windows, and bright yellow awnings.
  • A pharmacy and nearby shops light up a neighborhood intersection at night.
  • Streetlights reflect on a wet neighborhood alley as a motorbike approaches.
  • A wide sidewalk beside a brightly lit building and a road busy with evening traffic.
  • Motorbikes travel past illuminated shops and businesses after dark.
  • A warmly lit café welcomes visitors beneath leafy trees and a Vietnamese flag.

Videos in this Story