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 Area: 2,095.2 sq. km
Population: 5,730,700 habitants (2004)
Administrative divisions:
-
Districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 4,
District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District
9, District 10, District 11, District 12, Tan Binh, Binh
Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Tan,Tan Phu.
-
Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Binh Chanh.
Ethnic groups: Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham...
Geography
In the core of the Mekong Delta,
Ho Chi Minh
City, formerly known as Saigon, is second the most important
in Vietnam after Hanoi. It is not only a commercial center
but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist
center. The city is bathed by many rivers, arroyos and
canals, the biggest river being the Saigon River. The Port
of Saigon, established in 1862, is accessible to ships
weighing up to 30,000 tons, a rare advantage for an inland
river port. Climate:The climate is generally hot and humid.
There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from
May to November, and the dry season, from December to April.
The annual average temperature is 27ºC. The hottest month is
April and the lowest is December. It is warm all year.
History
Many centuries ago,
Saigon was
already a busy commercial center. Merchants from China,
Japan and many European countries would sail upstream the
Saigon
River
to reach the islet of Pho, a trading center. In the year of
1874, Cho Lon merged with Saigon, forming the largest city
in the Indochina. It had been many times celebrated as the
Pearl of the
Far East. After the reunification of the country, the 6th National
Assembly in its meeting of
the 2nd of
July, 1976, has officially rebaptized Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
City. The history of city relates closely with the struggle
for the independence and freedom of Vietnam.
Today,
Ho Chi Minh City
is the big tourism center in Vietnam, attracting a large of
visitors to Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has various
attractions as Ho Chi Minh Museum, formerly known as Dragon
House Wharf, Cu Chi Tunnels, system of museums, theatres,
cultural houses... Recently, many tourist areas are invested
such as Thanh Da,
Binh
Quoi
Village,
Dam Sen Park, Saigon Water Park, Suoi Tien, Ky Hoa..., which
draw numerous tourists.
Despite its quite recent past,
Ho Chi Minh
City nevertheless possesses various beautiful buildings,
displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese,
Chinese and European cultures. These include Nha Rong
(Dragon House Wharf), Quoc To Temple (National Ancestors’
Temple),
Xa Tay (Municipal Office), Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre as
well as many pagodas and churches (Vinh Nghiem, Giac Vien,
Giac Lam, Phung Son pagodas...). After more than 300 years
of development,
Ho Chi Minh City
presents many ancient architectural constructions, famous
vestiges and renowned sights. It is remarkable for its
harmonious blending of traditional national values with
northern and western cultural features.
Ho Chi Minh
City is the main junction for trains, roads, water, and air
transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign
destination.
- Roads:
Ho Chi Minh City
is 1,730km from Hanoi, 99km from Tay Ninh, 30km from Bien
Hoa (Dong Nai), 70km from My Tho, 125km from Vung Tau, 168km
from Can Tho, 308km from Dalat, and 375km from Buon Ma Thuot.
The City has National Highway 13 which connects
Vietnam
with the rest of Indochina.
- Train: Thong Nhat express train connects
Ho Chi Minh
City and Hanoi, vie many provinces in Vietnam.
- Air:
Tan Son
Nhat International Airport, 7km from center of city, is the
biggest airport with many domestic and international routes.
There are flights from
Hanoi and Danang to
Ho Chi Minh
City and between the City to many regions as well a lot of
countries on over the world.
MORE TOURISM ZONES
Hanoi |
Ho Chi Minh |
Dalat |
Danang |
Halong |
Hue |
Nha Trang |
Sapa
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