Situated in District 7, roughly seven kilometers southward from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, Phu My Hung urban area boasts an affluent neighborhood home to a large number of Asians from other countries than Vietnam, which earns it the name ‘Asian town.’

By word meaning, Phu My Hung literally translates as Wealth, Aesthetics and Prosperity.

Concerning population, more than 50 percent of the inhabitants here are non-Vietnamese.

Unlike many other parts of Ho Chi Minh City, Phu My Hung appears like a high-end residential area resembling those in developed countries.

The Asian town can be approached via the tree-lined Nguyen Van Linh Avenue, and is recognizable by the magnificent villas as well as modern office and apartment buildings.

Upon entering the zone, a Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper correspondent could see neatly arranged detached and attached houses in similar design, adding to the overall aesthetics of the place.

Noticeably, pavement space in Phu My Hung really is the area for pedestrians and is carefully planned, unlike in many other parts of Saigon where the pavement is used by vendors, as parking lot, or is non-existent.

To add to its beauty, Phu My Hung possesses lush green parks, rubbish-free man-made freshwater lake, finely decorated canals and imposing architectural structures.

Roaming the streets here, your correspondent could see some foreign citizens strolling along hand in hand and others walking their dogs. Some were enjoying the scenery sitting on a road-side bench.

The five urban complexes

First developed around the 1990s, Phu My Hung now stands out with five distinct urban complexes, according to the official website of Phu My Hung Development Corporation.

The largest of all is the 409-hectare New City Center where residential houses, financial and trade centers, medical institutions and entertainment places are concentrated.

“The development concepts are inspired from famous places like Singapore Bay, Canal District in the U.S.A, and the central business district in Hong Kong,” claims the official Phu My Hung website.

It is located on Nguyen Van Linh Parkway and is close to Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, about a ten-minute drive from downtown.

Next to mention is the 95-hectare University Place with schools, parks, civic uses and support facilities.

It is on the intersection of Nguyen Van Linh Parkway and Chanh Hung Street.

The High-tech Center, spanning 46 hectares, provides a setting for life and work, and hosts numerous technologically advanced enterprises.

Finally, the suburban Merchandise Centers 1 & 2 which are planned to serve industrial warehousing, distribution, and port functions.

Rent, services and population

There is a clear status distinction between the many smaller neighborhoods within Phu My Hung, mainly conspicuous by the street design, building architecture, and green space density.

An apartment owner on Hillview District said: “It is the rent that tells the difference in status between the neighborhoods here.”

“One of the lowest in status is the neighborhood around the Recreational & Cultural District within The New City Center. The rent stands at the bottom of the list at around US$500-700 a month,” he added.

“Meanwhile the rent at Scenic Valley, the Crescent Promenade District or the International Commercial & Financial District can reach $1,000 and over. To top the list is the Southern Park [Nam Vien] with rent as high as more than $2,500 per apartment per month.”

World’s big brands can be easily found in Phu My Hung, much like the case in downtown Saigon.

There is no difficulty trying to locate the nearest British, French, American, Japanese, South Korean or Chinese cuisine.

The population of Phu My Hung is currently more than 30,000, with over half being non-Vietnamese coming from more than ten countries and territories.

According to Phu My Hung Development Corporation, the majority of the foreigners living here are from Asia, mostly South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China.

Asians tend to live within their own communities.

The Koreans are concentrated around The Recreational & Cultural District while the Japanese tend to settle down in the Midtown area, which is an on-going construction project in the Asian town.

Want to make pottery over a nice coffee? Find James!

The idea of crafting ceramic pottery inside a coffee bar may sound unfamiliar, but there is one such place on Tran Van Tra, in the Canal District of Phu My Hung.

When your correspondent arrived, several guests were busy crafting their pottery products under the instruction of James Michael Kershek, the owner of the place.

James Michael Kershek gives guests instructions on how to make pottery at his ceramic coffee bar in the Canal District. Photo: Tuoi Tre

American national James and his Taiwanese wife Anny Chen set up a coffee bar and ceramic workshop combination within a multi-floor premise.

The basement is preserved for the pottery workshop, while the second floor is the coffee bar.

For months this pottery-coffee bar has been drawing visitors far and wide.

James came to pottery as a way to relieve stress.

In fact he was a successful IT engineer back in California, but he was under constant mental strain.

Taking his father’s advice, he joined several arts classes, but the problem was not fully resolved.

Coming to ceramics pottery works, he found peace.

After his marriage with Anny, he left California for his round-world trip. They came to Phu My Hung in 2015 and decided to settle down here.

Initially they simply opened a coffee bar. The pottery section was only added after he got the idea from a trip to the pottery workshop in District 3 of a Japanese man named Raku.

“I’m not really doing business for profits, but for joy. We feel just so blissful here in Phu My Hung,” said James.