Hi, you can stay hotels around the backpackers area (Pham Ngu Lao street, De Tham, Bui Vien) in district 1 because hotels are close to the attractions (Notre-Dame Basilica, Benthanh market, etc) and 23/9 park where students often meet up to introduce Vietnamese culture, food, people and they can also give you a city tour around HCMC (attractions, local food, entertainment, etc)
Cheers!