Thủ Đức vs. Saigon: Where’s the Punchline to a Better Life?
so i’m at this sticky plastic stool bar in Thủ Đức drinking 10k VND beer with a guy named Đức who claims he’s "basically the mayor" because he knows where to get bootleg karaoke machines. here’s the raw, cackling truth about living in this Frankenstein suburb versus dirty-glitter Saigon, through the eyes of someone who bombs at open mics for fun.
*Q: Yo, why’s everyone calling Thủ Đức "the new city" now?
A: [slurps phở broth] Dude, it’s literally just Saigon’s awkward little sibling who got a glow-up. They merged three districts in 2021 and now suddenly we’ve got these glass office towers popping up next to bún mắm stalls that haven’t changed prices since the 90s. Rent’s still about $200/month for a studio though-compare that to Saigon’s $500+ for a shoebox that smells like expired fish sauce. This Reddit thread agrees.
Q: But what’s the vibe?
A: Imagine if a sleepy village and a tech bro had a baby. You’ve got ĐHQG University kids skateboarding past grandmas selling lottery tickets, and zero traffic lights. Saigon’s got that Tarantino-level chaos-last week I saw a dude transport three live pigs on a motorbike. Here? Biggest drama is whether the Quang Trung Software Park interns will finish the free coffee before noon.
Q: What’s the drunkest advice you’ve heard?
A: Some backpacker told me Thủ Đức’s "too quiet" while chain-smoking at 3AM. Bruh. Go yell that at the Sushi Chuột night market where they fry everything from squid to questionable mystery balls. Also, Saigon’s Bùi Viện Street is just a tourist trap where Australians vomit into storm drains. Fight me.
Pro Tip: If you’re doing gigs, Saigon’s got Hard Rock Cafe open mics but Thủ Đức’s Hẻm 76 alley has a secret comedy club that pays you in rice wine. Check their Facebook group.
Weather update: It’s that sauna-like drizzle that makes your socks hate you. Neighbors? Biên Hòa’s 30 minutes away if you need cheap car parts or existential crises.
Final Roast: Saigon’s got jobs but you’ll sell your soul to afford $7 cocktails. Thủ Đức? You can live like a king on freelance cash but good luck finding decent salsa classes. This Yelp list says Cộng Cà Phê* in both cities serves the same communist-chic nostalgia, though.
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