Living in The Ascent Thao Dien: A Building Guide for Expats

The Ascent Thao Dien is what you get when a developer prioritizes calm over scale. Two towers, 280 units, and a Singapore-inspired layout on Quoc Huong Street — it's the quiet alternative to Masteri, and for a lot of expats, that's exactly the point. This guide covers what the building is like to live in, what you pay, and the trade-offs worth knowing about.

What Is The Ascent Thao Dien?

Completed in 2016 by Tien Phat Corp, The Ascent sits at 58 Quoc Huong, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. It's a boutique-sized complex — two 29-story towers with roughly 280 apartments total. For context, Masteri Thao Dien down the road has over 4,400 units. That difference shapes everything about living here.

The first thing you notice stepping in is the layout. Instead of a lobby crammed into the ground floor, The Ascent has an outdoor reception area right behind the gate, with a curved dropoff driveway leading to the entrance. It feels more like a hotel arrival than a residential lobby. The whole design follows a Singaporean aesthetic — clean lines, glass facades, open green space, and a low building density that lets the grounds breathe.

Location on Quoc Huong Street

Quoc Huong is one of the quieter streets in Thao Dien. It runs parallel to the Saigon River, about 100 meters from the water, and avoids the constant traffic of Hanoi Highway. You can walk to restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores within 5–10 minutes. BIS (British International School) is under 5 minutes by car, and AIS is similarly close.

For getting into District 1, you're looking at about 10 minutes by motorbike via the Saigon Bridge or Thu Thiem Tunnel. The An Phu Metro station is a 5-minute ride away. You're not as connected as Masteri — which sits directly on top of the metro — but you're also not dealing with the traffic and noise that come with being on a major highway.

Amenities: Three Heated Pools and More

The Ascent was the first residential project in HCMC to install heated swimming pools — three of them, on the 5th-floor amenity deck. That means you can swim year-round without freezing in the cooler months (December–February), which is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade if you swim regularly.

Other amenities include:

• Fully equipped gym with views over the greenery and pool area

• Yoga room

• BBQ and party areas poolside

• Pool bar

• Children's playground and kindergarten space

• Mini-mart on site

• 24/7 security with surveillance and card access

• Three floors of parking

With only 280 units, these facilities rarely feel crowded. That's the main amenity advantage over larger complexes — you don't have to fight for a pool lane or a treadmill on Saturday morning.

What You Pay to Rent at The Ascent

As of July 2026, we have 41 active listings at The Ascent Thao Dien. Here's the breakdown:

• 2-bedroom (67 sqm): $750–$1,600/month, averaging around $1,020

• 3-bedroom (99 sqm): $1,200–$1,800/month, averaging around $1,490

The lower end of the 2-bedroom range ($750–$850) tends to be units with lower floors or less desirable views. The higher-end units ($900+) usually have better river or city views, higher floors, and updated furnishings. Most units come fully furnished, which is standard for Thao Dien rentals.

Compared to Masteri Thao Dien, The Ascent is priced similarly per square meter but offers more space per unit and far fewer neighbors. You're paying for quiet, not for a mall downstairs.

The Ascent vs Masteri: A Stark Contrast

If you're choosing between The Ascent and Masteri Thao Dien — and most expats narrow their search to these two plus a handful of others — here's how they actually compare:

• Scale: 280 units vs 4,450. Masteri feels like a small city; The Ascent feels like a building.

• Ground floor: Masteri has Vincom Mega Mall (supermarket, food court, shops). The Ascent has a mini-mart and gardens. If you want shopping at your doorstep, Masteri wins. If you want peace and greenery, The Ascent wins.

• Pools: Masteri has standard outdoor pools. The Ascent has three heated pools — a real difference in the cooler months.

• Transit: Masteri sits on the metro. The Ascent is a 5-minute ride to the station.

• Vibe: Masteri is busy, social, and convenient. The Ascent is calm, private, and residential.

The right choice depends on what kind of home you want. If you're a single professional who loves having a food court downstairs, Masteri is hard to beat. If you're a couple or family that values quiet evenings and a pool you can actually swim laps in, The Ascent makes more sense.

Costs Beyond Rent

The building management fee is around 22,000 VND per sqm per month — so a 67 sqm 2-bedroom costs roughly 1.47 million VND/month ($58) in management fees. Some landlords include this in the asking rent; others list it separately. Always clarify which it is before signing.

The standard deposit is two months' rent, with a minimum lease term of 12 months. For a full breakdown of what you'll pay and when, see our rental payment timeline guide and our utility costs explainer.

Things to Watch Out For

Flooding. Quoc Huong Street can flood during heavy rains, particularly in the rainy season (June–October). It's not every storm, but when a big one hits, the street can be under water for a few hours. The building itself is elevated and the ground floor is fine — but getting in and out by motorbike or car can be a problem during those periods. If you're viewing an apartment, ask about the flooding pattern and whether the building has sandbags or barriers ready.

No mall. This sounds obvious, but if you're used to having a supermarket and pharmacy in your building, you'll need to adjust. Annam Gourmet and Vincom Mega Mall are both within walking distance (10–15 minutes), but it's not the same as an elevator ride downstairs.

Limited unit types. The Ascent is mostly 2- and 3-bedroom apartments. If you're looking for a studio or 1-bedroom, you won't find one here — Masteri or a serviced apartment would be a better fit.

Who The Ascent Suits Best

The Ascent Thao Dien works best for expats who want a quiet, well-maintained building with good amenities and don't need a mall in the lobby. Couples and families tend to be the best fit — the larger unit sizes, heated pools, and low density make it comfortable for people who spend time at home. If you work from home, the peace and quiet is a real productivity advantage over busier complexes.

If that sounds like what you're looking for, tell us your budget and what matters to you — we'll match you with available units at The Ascent. You can also browse current listings at The Ascent directly.