General Information About Ho Chi Minh
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 Viet Nam after Ha Noi. 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 270C. 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.
Tourism
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.
Transportation
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.
Ho Chi Minh city, also known as Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam with the population nearly 9 millions. The city is called 'Diamond of the Far-East', the same luxury level overriding Hong Kong or Bangkok. Ho Chi Minh city becomes very important city in Vietnam ,creates a metropolitan area with Thu Dau Mot, Di An, Bien Hoa and surrounding towns.
In the early history, the city was a small fishing village name Prey Nokor inhabited by Khmer people. Then it was given to the Vietnamese as a dowry for the marriage of a Vietnamese princess to a Khmer prince in order to stop constant invasions and pillaging of Khmer villages. Under the French colonial , the city had a lot of influence from the Western style , and there still a lot of beautiful buildings in the city which are remained with French style. After 30 April 1975, the city under the control of North Vietnamese government and the name was changed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh city.
Recently, Ho Chi Minh city is such a large area with 24 districts, the lifestyle and the architecture is the combination between American and Chinese, but not losing the traits. Beside the dynamic economy and modern life, the city is really developing in tourism , like the central of tourism in the South of Vietnam, and attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. The most prominent sites in the city is Reunification Palace, City Hall, the Municipal theatre also known as the Opera House, City Post Office, State Bank Office , City People's Court and Notre Dame cathedral. All of them are the special structures, which are influent with French architecture.
There are also various museum and entertainment places in the city such as the Ho Chi Minh city museum, Museum of Vietnamese history, the Revolutionary Museum, the Museum of Southeastern Armed Forces, the Museum of Southern Women, the Museum of Fine Art, the Nha Rong Memorial House, and Cu Chi underground Tunnels… The Dam Sen Tourist and Cultural Park, Suoi Tien amusement and culture park, The Saigon zoo and Botanical gardens.
District one is the best experience for a modern city in Vietnam. All streets and boulevard in the district are lined with evergreen trees with local people selling street drinks, some notable sights as Ben Thanh market, city post office and Notre Dame cathedral. The district is a quite good ideal for shopping with several shopping streets.
The nice location at central of the South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city becomes very important center of transportation lead to surrounding provinces , bring opportunities to develop the economy and tourism of Eastern and Western area of the South.
View All Ho Chi Minh City Attractions
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11th Armored Cav Regt Vietnam Tour 7days
Itinerary: Saigon – Tay Ninh – Bien Hoa – Saigon
03/28/2016 - 12/31/9999
$1920.00
12 Days Highland And Southern Bird Watching Of Vietnam
Yok Don National Park supports a diverse bird community, including a particularly rich dry dipterocarp forest avifauna. The large tracts of dry dipterocarp forest with seasonal pools are important for large waterbirds in particular. Yok Don is the only known site for the critically endangered Giant Ibis in Vietnam and supports the last known breeding Sarus Cranes in the country. Both species are very rare at the site, however, and the localities where they occur are off-limits to visitors. Yok Don supports a globally significant population of Green Peafowl, estimated to number at least 400 individuals
12/04/2015 - 12/31/9999
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12-Day Vietnam Tour from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay
08/19/2015 - 12/31/9999
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14-Day Vietnam and Laos Highlights Tour
Spend 14 days exploring the culture, history and beauty of the two countries with a knowledgeable guide Explore the picturesque Halong Bay onboard a V’Spirit Classic Cruise Revel in the ancient sights of Hoi An and the religious significance of My Son Discover the ancient ruins of the Angkor area, including the temple of Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Killing Fields ChoeungEk Includes 13 nights of accommodation: 11 nights in a hotel, one night on a sleeper train and one night aboard the cruise in Halong Bay Get a taste of the local cuisine with breakfasts, lunches All transport within the tour is included
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12/15/2015 - 12/31/9999
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18-Day Vietnam with Angkor Wat & Luang Prabang
Ever wonder what the past thirty years has brought to this part of the planet? Well, you need not wonder any longer! Travel from Thailand to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Discover the various and distinct cultures that each country has to offer. Travel through lush countryside, visit mysterious temples, experience the vibrant, new cities. The people of this region are known as some of the "friendliest people on earth" and await your visit with them....
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12/14/2015 - 12/31/9999
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A Glimpse Of The Mekong With Cooking Class By Vespa Tour
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03/26/2016 - 12/31/9999
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03/25/2016 - 12/31/9999
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Asia Exotic Photography Tour 24days
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