One Central Saigon vs The Marq: Which District 1 Branded Residence? (Foreigner Guide 2026)

Foreign buyers shopping at the very top of the Ho Chi Minh City market often weigh a brand-new trophy branded residence against an established luxury address with title already issued. Two names in the core of District 1 capture that choice: One Central Saigon (Masterise Homes, under the The Ritz-Carlton brand) and The Marq (Hongkong Land & Hoa Lam). Both sit in the most expensive part of the city but serve different needs. This guide compares them on the points that matter to a foreign buyer: price tier, branding, handover versus delivered status, the foreign-ownership quota and who each suits.

This is general information, not investment advice. One Central is under construction, so confirm real progress and the legal file. Prices, quota availability and inventory change over time — verify the current status of the specific unit with Happy Land and your own lawyer before deciding.

Quick comparison

	One Central Saigon	The Marq
Developer	Masterise Homes	Hongkong Land & Hoa Lam
Brand	The Ritz-Carlton branded residences	Hongkong Land luxury
Location	Beside the Ben Thanh quadrant, core District 1	Core central District 1
Price from (indicative)	~650M VND/m² (from ~34 billion VND)	From ~12 billion VND
Unit types	1–3BR branded residences	1–4BR & penthouse
Scale	Twin towers ~46–55 floors, ~350 branded units + Ritz-Carlton hotel, Grade A office, mall	2 towers, 26 floors, 515 units
Handover / legal	Expected ~2029 (off-plan, future-formed)	Delivered, pink book since 01/2024
Foreign quota	Yes, but very limited (30%/project)	Available subject to timing (30%/project)

“Price from” is an indicative starting point excluding VAT/incentives. Click a project name below for its full price list.

The biggest difference: title in hand versus an icon in the making

This is the crux of the decision:

• The Marq is delivered and has had its pink book since January 2024. You see the real unit and the actual finish quality, the legal status is settled, and you can move in or lease right away — no waiting and no construction-progress risk. It is the choice for buyers who want certainty.
• One Central Saigon is a The Ritz-Carlton branded residence still under development, expected around 2029. It is a landmark asset beside the Ben Thanh quadrant, part of a complex with a Ritz-Carlton hotel, Grade A office and retail. In exchange, you buy off-plan, wait several years, and should carefully check the future-formed-property licence and the bank guarantee.

In short: The Marq = certainty, move in now; One Central = a branded icon for the long horizon.

Price and tier: both luxury, different rungs

Although both are in core District 1, they occupy different rungs. One Central Saigon (from ~650M VND/m², roughly 34 billion VND per unit and up) is ultra-prime branded — the price reflects the Ritz-Carlton brand and a landmark address. The Marq (from ~12 billion VND) is established luxury with a meaningfully more accessible entry within the high-end District 1 bracket.

Given that gap, the two really target different buyers, so price is not a measure of “which is better” — it is about your tier and what you prioritise.

Foreigners & legal status

Both have commercial apartments within the 30%-per-project foreign quota, 50-year leasehold. In the ultra-prime District 1 segment the foreign allocation is usually small and quickly taken, so if you are a foreign buyer, check the remaining foreign quota early. The Marq has the advantage of title already issued; for One Central, being a future-formed property, review the buying process and the developer’s bank guarantee. See our buying process for foreigners.

Who should choose which?

Choose The Marq if you: want to move in now or lease soon, prioritise settled legal status (title issued), want to inspect the real unit before paying, and have a luxury budget from around 12 billion VND.

Choose One Central Saigon if you: want to own a landmark Ritz-Carlton branded residence beside Ben Thanh, are investing long-term in brand value and a core-centre address, can wait to around 2029, and are comfortable at the ultra-prime rung.

For a delivered option like The Marq, you can also browse other ready-to-move apartments foreigners can buy. Either way, weigh the total cost of ownership and compare central pricing on the apartment prices by area page.

Conclusion

One Central Saigon and The Marq are both core-District-1 luxury but serve different needs. The Marq is strongest on certainty (delivered, title issued, move in now, softer entry), while One Central is strongest on branded-icon value for the long horizon (in exchange for waiting to ~2029 at a much higher rung). The right answer depends on your tier, your goal (live now versus long-term hold) and your appetite for waiting. This article is general information, not investment advice.

Want the original price list, current inventory and remaining foreign quota for each project? Message Happy Land on Zalo/WhatsApp, or see One Central Saigon and The Marq in detail.