"Saigon – a place where the rhythm of the city intertwines with the breath of its people, seemingly never taking a moment to rest. At any time of day, Saigon remains vibrant, offering countless spots for leisure, entertainment, services, and the chance to experience the cultural value this city has to offer."
When Thinking of Saigon, people often picture a youthful and vibrant city, a hub of development and undeniable allure. Not only is it one of the nation's most powerful economic centers or the city with the highest tourism revenue in the first half of 2024, but Saigon is also a destination for countless migrants – the city's unique "guests."
Saigon – The City of Migration
"This city has a rare generosity, never judging where people come from. To everyone, Saigon is simply lovable."
As a magnet for a large influx of migrants, Saigon has become one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the country. Its continual growth in educational and job opportunities has made it an ideal destination for those seeking a new life. Many of them have chosen to stay, turning Saigon into their second home.
Though not everyone was born and raised here, the contribution of migrants to the city's development and to shaping the vibrant Saigon we know today is undeniably significant.
“Living in Saigon, they are both residents and tourists of the city.”
Becoming Tourists in the City They Call Home
In Saigon, migrants and newcomers don’t just come to study or work—they also take time to explore and experience the city they now live in. Together with long-term residents, they form a significant customer base for Saigon’s dining, entertainment, and recreational services.
“Among the sea of bustling motorbikes are city license plates mixed with those from other provinces; woven into the crowds are tourists, migrants, newcomers, and long-term Saigon residents.”
A clear reflection of this is the rapid growth of experience-driven services, ranging from cafés and restaurants to recreational hubs. It’s not only tourists but also Saigon’s residents who are key to the usage of these offerings.
In recent years, Saigon has witnessed a boom in its café culture. From simple roadside coffee stalls to well-known franchise brands, large-scale café chains, and uniquely conceptualized boutique cafés, the city has seen an ever-growing diversity. Each of these caters to distinct customer groups, making full use of the opportunities presented by Saigon’s dense and dynamic population.
It’s evident that the diversity in Saigon’s demographic and income levels has driven the city to continuously expand its service offerings to align with the lifestyle and spending capacity of its people. This diversity has, in turn, created a vibrant and multifaceted service landscape, meeting the diverse needs and preferences of Saigon’s residents.
“For the people of Saigon, spending on a fitting experience is not just a necessity but a part of their lifestyle, fueling the development of even more unique and diverse services.”
Even though Saigon’s residents are well-acquainted with the city’s rhythm of life, they still choose to explore and experience their hometown like tourists. This highlights a unique trait—despite living in a place so familiar, people in Saigon continuously seek out fresh, unique perspectives and new experiences.
“Perhaps it is the city’s dynamic nature, its constant evolution and embrace of the new, that has cultivated such an exciting lifestyle for its people.”
The phenomenon of Saigon’s residents becoming “tourists” in their own city, contributing significantly to the service industry’s revenue, can be seen as one of the city’s distinctive characteristics. In the hustle and bustle of Saigon, people often lack time for themselves or for long-distance travel. As a result, choosing to explore their own city becomes an appealing and fulfilling alternative.
With its ceaseless growth and transformation, both Saigon and its people are on a journey of adaptation to the changes of the times. Becoming “guests” in their own city seems almost inevitable, not only driving the diversity of Saigon’s services and activities but also shaping a new lifestyle trend for the future - living like a “tourist” in the very place they call home.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen - Content: Giang Huynh - Design: Luan Nguyen