Ho Chi Minh City has been named the world’s second-best city for retaining residents, thanks to affordable living costs, job opportunities, cultural vibrancy, and a unique spirit of generosity and inclusiveness.
A City of Warmth and Resilience
Often described with the word bao dung (tolerance), Ho Chi Minh City has shaped a distinct identity over its three centuries: youthful yet rooted, bustling yet generous. It’s a place where creativity and adaptability thrive alongside compassion and solidarity.
According to the City Pulse 2025 Report by Gensler Institute, cited by The Independent Singapore News, HCMC only trails Taipei and outperforms global hubs like Singapore, Sydney, and Berlin. Survey participants praised its affordable cost of living (83%), safety (81%), healthcare services (80%), job opportunities (74%), and tax system (70%).
A Cultural Crossroads
Since the 19th century, Saigon has been a magnet for migrants — Chinese, Indian, European — and today it continues to embrace new communities. The city’s culinary map reflects this diversity: from local specialties like bún mắm and phở to international flavors like Mongolian lamb, Korean kimchi, and Japanese sushi. Street food, in particular, is a living testament to HCMC’s inclusive spirit.
On a September evening downtown, foreign visitors are often seen clinking beer glasses at sidewalk stalls instead of fine restaurants. As one expatriate quipped: “It’s friendlier, more fun, and cheaper here.”
Stories of Belonging
For Kenji, a 53-year-old Japanese expatriate who has lived in HCMC for nearly two decades, the city has become a second home. “The people are warm and welcoming. I feel safe here, and I can find Japanese food that tastes 80% like back home,” he said.
The city is also home to one of the largest Korean communities in Vietnam — about 178,000 people — with over 2,000 Korean businesses operating locally. From Tiểu Seoul in Tân Bình to the thriving expat enclave in Phú Mỹ Hưng, these communities contribute to the city’s economic and cultural fabric.
A Magnet for Opportunity
Beyond foreigners, HCMC attracts people from across Vietnam. The city expects to need 85,000–90,000 workers in the third quarter of 2025, with 58% being unskilled labor.
Trần Minh Thuận, 23, from Quảng Trị, said: “If I had to choose again, I’d still come to HCMC. The people are open, the food is diverse, and the weather is easier to live with compared to the extremes back home.”
A City That Gives Back
HCMC’s appeal lies not just in its skyscrapers or modern infrastructure, but in how it makes people feel connected. From free roadside water stations and 2,000 VND charity meals to strangers turning into friends over a cup of street coffee, the city embodies generosity in daily life.
Despite challenges like traffic congestion, flooding, and uneven infrastructure, HCMC continues to show resilience and inclusivity — qualities that keep both locals and foreigners rooted here for the long term.
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Source: Vietnam Insider