Discover the Remarkable Transformation of Ho Chi Minh City’s District 4 from a No-Go Area to a Must-Visit Destination!

• District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City was once notorious due to mobster Nam Cam.
• Now, it’s a safe and vibrant neighborhood with attractions, including a Michelin-listed restaurant.
• Travel writer Joshua Zukas recommends District 4 for adventurous city explorers.

Two decades ago, the infamous mafia leader Truong Van Cam, better known as Nam Cam or Vietnam’s “Godfather,” controlled District 4 in Ho Chi Minh City. This central district, with its waterways and hidden alleyways, provided the ideal environment for his criminal activities.

However, evidence of District 4’s criminal past is scarce, as the government prefers to leave that era behind. Tim Doling, a historian and author of “Saigon-Cho Lon: Vanishing Heritage of Ho Chi Minh City,” explained that the district’s history can only be found in the personal memories of those who lived there.

Ho Chi Minh City, predicted to become a future megacity by the United Nations, consists of 24 districts, half of which are numbered and half named. While most visitors focus on districts 1, 3, and 5, which house the city’s heritage buildings and museums, there are hidden gems like District 4 that offer unique experiences. As a travel writer specializing in Vietnam, I frequently explore Ho Chi Minh City and have discovered that these lesser-known areas have much to offer.

With an area of just over 1.5 square miles, District 4 is the smallest district in the city but densely populated, with nearly 200,000 residents. Once associated with crime, the district has now shed its reputation and become a hub for urban exploration. During my recent visit in September, I spent a day discovering the hidden treasures of District 4 and believe it deserves a place on visitors’ itineraries.