The Global City vs Diamond Island: Which Should Foreign Buyers Choose?
Quick answer. Choose The Global City if you want a brand-new master-planned township with primary-market foreign quota and long-term upside. Choose Diamond Island if you want a handed-over, mature riverside address you can move into now, bought on the resale market. Both are in East Saigon (District 2 / Thu Duc) and both are open to foreign buyers — the real split is new vs. established, primary vs. resale.
Table of Contents
The Global City at a glance
The Global City is a large master-planned township in District 2 / Thu Duc, developed by Masterise. It is brand-new on the primary market, which means launch pricing and — critically — the full 30% foreign quota is still open in most buildings. You are buying a masterplan and a growth story: retail, a central axis, and a community built from scratch.
- Status: new, primary market (buy from the developer)
- Foreign route: 30% quota, typically wide open at this stage
- Trade-off: you wait for handover and buy into a masterplan still maturing
Diamond Island at a glance
Diamond Island is an established riverside development in District 2, already handed over and lived-in. You buy on the resale (secondary) market from current owners, which means you can inspect the exact unit, see the real finishes and views, and move in immediately. It is a mature, proven address rather than a bet on a masterplan.
- Status: handed over, resale market
- Foreign route: resale — confirm the building’s foreign quota still has room for a foreign transferee
- Trade-off: less launch upside; you pay for a finished, proven product
The Global City vs Diamond Island: side by side
| The Global City | Diamond Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | District 2 / Thu Duc | District 2, riverside |
| Stage | New / primary | Handed over / resale |
| Foreign route | 30% quota at source | Resale (check remaining quota) |
| Move in | After handover | Now |
| Upside | Launch-price growth story | Mature, proven address |
| Best for | Investors, buy-at-source | End-users, move-in-now |
Which should you buy?
- Buy The Global City if you are investing for growth, are comfortable waiting for handover, and want to lock launch pricing with the full foreign quota open.
- Buy Diamond Island if you want to move in now, prefer to inspect the actual unit and view before paying, and value a mature, established riverside community.
- Either way, confirm the exact foreign-quota headroom in your target building first — on resale especially, a full building can block a foreign transfer.
Updated for 2026. Both projects are active in 2026. Quota headroom and resale inventory change weekly — ask a Realtique advisor for the live position in each before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Global City or Diamond Island better for a foreign buyer?
Neither is universally better. The Global City suits investors who want new, primary-market units at launch pricing with the full foreign quota open. Diamond Island suits end-users who want a handed-over, move-in-ready riverside home bought on resale.
Can foreigners buy at both The Global City and Diamond Island?
Yes. The Global City sells to foreigners within the 30% quota on the primary market. Diamond Island is bought on the resale market — you should confirm the specific building still has foreign-quota room for a foreign transferee.
Which is cheaper, The Global City or Diamond Island?
Pricing depends on unit, tower and timing rather than a flat rule. Primary-market launch pricing at The Global City and resale pricing at Diamond Island are best compared unit-by-unit against a current sheet.
Where Viet Kieu can own — Ho Chi Minh City to the coast
Beyond these two, here is the full map of where foreign buyers and Viet Kieu can own — central Ho Chi Minh City to the coast:
Your status sets the ownership type: a Viet Kieu with Vietnamese residency or citizenship owns freehold, like a local (any project below). A Viet Kieu who is a foreign national buys within the 30% foreign quota or via long-term lease (the first three groups).
District 1 — Ho Chi Minh City
- One Central Saigon — Ritz-Carlton branded, foreign quota available
District 2 — East of Ho Chi Minh City
- SELLINGPalm River — riverside, opening Sept 2026 (foreign quota expected)
- SELLINGThe Global City — foreign quota available
- SELLINGGladia Heights by Keppel Land — foreign quota available
- RESALEDiamond Island — handed over, buy from current owners
- RESALEThao Dien Green — foreign-quota unit, resale
Coastal (foreign-eligible)
- Nobu Residences (Da Nang) — long-term lease resort
- Mandarin Oriental (Da Nang) — freehold for Vietnamese residents; long-term lease for non-residents
✓ Also yours freehold — if you hold Vietnamese residency or citizenship
These sell to domestic buyers (no foreign quota), but a Viet Kieu with residency owns them freehold, like a local:
- SELLINGBeachtro Tower — Blanca City, Vung Tau (final sea-view tower)
- SELLINGRung Phuong — Eco Retreat, Long An (low-rise, education hub)
- Haus Coastal — Quang Ngai (94ha coastal township)
Not sure which fits your status? Confirm your eligibility and live availability with a Realtique advisor — contact us or email [email protected].
Ready to Buy Property in Vietnam? Talk to Realtique
We guide local, overseas Vietnamese and international investors end to end — eligibility, due diligence, legal transfer and the pink book.
Start today. Leave your name and email — a Realtique specialist will reach out. Or email [email protected].
Grace and the Realtique team guide local, overseas Vietnamese and international investors through buying property in Vietnam — safely and in full compliance, from the first viewing to the pink book.
