Hoc Mon district -- livable or not?

@ChoculaD hello, District Hoc Mon has a good Terminal of Buses to every where in Vietnam, it's not too big, but good enough.  It's also a middle-low price place to live  where you can find small furnished departments, 2 people, from USD$ 250. 

Traffic is less crazy, but don't expect to have a nice walk. Sidewalks are always used as parking, extension of road, or by street food anyplace in HCMC.

Distances is not a problem in HCMC, the problem will be always traffic jams once you crossed the airport.   As a reference to calculate your arriving time to your destinations: from Galaxy Cinema in Trung Chánh zone, to the entrance of the Airport takes it takes 1 hour by bus, or 45 minutes by motorbike.

If I could live near a nice park,

    -@ChoculaD

Not like an open park for walking but definitely worth a visit (for anyone who lives in HCMC ) is Rin Rin Japanese Koi Park, its small but beautiful.  I go there regularly just to chill out & its only about 20 minutes from Tan Phu & D12 & depending where you live in Hoc Mon its on your door step.

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJ … hSVVlmalRp

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Thanks for the replies. Ajairon, but how is the air quality? That's the main thing I want. I guess Cu Chi would be better, but it's too far out.

Goodolboy, Rin Rin park seems pretty small, and not a place for exercising. Also I read they charge 50,000 admission fee. That would get tiresome if you go every day.

Taurealist, how long is the commute to District 1 from Vinhomes? How is the air quality there?

If I could find a rural area of Hoc Mon with quiet streets, I wouldn't need a park. But not too far from a bus stop. Up to 2 km would be okay.

I am also researching areas in District 12. Quang Trung Software City seems interesting. Seems to be quiet with ability to exercise in the park. And clean air.  Also Ben Xua Tourist Area

(Khu Du Lịch Bến Xưa) sounds nice. If I can find an appropriate apartment near one of these places.

Anyone know any other quiet clean green areas in District 12?

It's not just clean air that I want, although it's high priority. 3 times in the past couple of weeks I have almost been killed trying to cross the street. One truck driver wouldn't even slow down even though I had the right of way, and I had to jump out of his path before he hit me. Then there was the moto driver who was looking at his phone and coming straight at me. I had to yell at him and he diverted around me at the last moment.

The crossing the street situation has gotten much worse in recent years, since now 30% of drivers are looking at their phones while driving.

I'm trying to find a way to live in HCM without these problems. Otherwise I will have to move, probably to Vung Tau.

@ChoculaD I can say the air in Hoc Mon and D12 is less polluted.  You can be happy in your micro environment of 200m around you within your neighborhood.,  But once you get out on the street it's as chaotic as anywhere else:  The self-defene rules of watching left to right even you are crossing a one-way street, and of watching behind you when crossing a transversal streets are unforgettable rules for foreigners in Vietnam.  I don't know why they don't care about pedestrians....  I'm starting to believe that the world is having the mistake

if the price of a department is not a problem to you (let's say from $700) , district 2 or Binh Duong are maybe what you need. That area has been prepared for population growth, you can walk less complicated and some small parks. 

Thanks. District 2 is also very polluted, I think. And Binh Duong is pretty far away and I don't know the bus situation. I've seen lots of neighborhoods all over the city where the streets are much more quiet. You just have to stay away from the big streets. But I do want to get air that's as clean as possible.

Is Vung Tau much more developed now than it was when I was there about 14 years ago? Is it still quiet Monday through Thursday and only crazy on the weekends? And is pollution worse now?

    Is Vung Tau much more developed now than it was when I was there about 14 years ago? Is it still quiet Monday through Thursday and only crazy on the weekends? And is pollution worse now?
   

    -@ChoculaD

VT isn't for everyone's tastes and I doubt we have many forum members who were there in 2010 and can make the comparison.

But I would move back there in a heartbeat if my only other choice was living ANYWHERE in HCMC.

Although I did not reside in VT permanently in 2010, I visited often.

Back then, it was quiet and sleepy.

Today, a lot of development is going on, and many major hotels are building new constructions.

In a couple of years, I believe that I will be looking for somewhere quieter, although it is quiet at the moment, except for the weekends and holidays when HCM moves to VT.

You would never get me moving to HCM for any reason.

Transport between HCM and VT is very good, with the nine-seater express limousines. I believe that VT will get busier once the new airport at Long Thanh is open, but transport to HCM will get even better.

I was in Vung Tau 6 months ago,  and yes, it's nice to live.  But, it takes  almost 2,5 hours from the center of HCM to VT....   If you want to have everything around you (cinema, shopping, etc), very clean and fresh air, nice weather, maybe you can also include  another cities such as Tuy Hoa, Da Lat or Buon Ma Thuot

@Safepeter,

thanks, that was very helpful. Does FUTA still run big full-size buses to VT? They are a lot safer than those minibuses with the crazy drivers.

Thanks Ajairon, but I have to have good ability to come to HCM once a week or so. Da Lat, BMT, Tuy Hoa are too far away. I read that the new highway to Phan Thiet reduces driving time to 2 hours, but I have a feeling that's wishful thinking.