Ho Chi Minh City

Geographical location of the city

Ho Chi Minh City is located in southern Vietnam, approximately 1,730 km by road from Hanoi . Additionally, it is about 50 km as the crow flies from the East Sea coast, a relatively short distance. As a central hub in Southeast Asia, Ho Chi Minh City is a crucial transportation center for road, water, and air travel. This allows the city to connect provinces in the region and serves as an extremely important international gateway.

Ho Chi Minh City boasts a prime location.

Topographical features

Ho Chi Minh City's topography is situated in the transitional zone between the Southeast region and the Mekong Delta. This location results in a gradually sloping terrain from North to South and from West to East. The higher areas of the city are located in the North-Northeast and part of the Northwest, with an average elevation of 10 to 25 meters. Interspersed among these higher areas are some hills, the highest reaching 32 meters, such as Long Binh Hill in Thu Duc District. The lower areas of the city are located in the Southwest and Southeast, with an average elevation of about 1 meter, and the lowest points possibly as low as 0.5 meters. The central areas, part of Thu Duc City, the entire Hoc Mon District, and District 12 have an average elevation of about 5 to 10 meters. Ho Chi Minh City is located at coordinates 10°10′ – 10°38′ North and 106°22′ – 106°54′ East. It borders Binh Duong province to the north, Tay Ninh and Long An provinces to the west, Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces to the east, and the East Sea and Tien Giang province to the south.

Population size

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam in terms of population and urbanization scale. According to the official census results as of April 1, 2009, the city's population was 7,162,864 people (accounting for 8.34% of Vietnam's population), with an average population density of 3,419 people/km2. By 2019, the city's population had increased to 8,993,082 people, making it the most densely populated city in Vietnam.

The local population size is shown year by year.

However, if we include those who are not registered as residents, the actual population of the city in 2018 was nearly 14 million people. Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City is a major economic, political , cultural, and educational center in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is a centrally governed city, classified as a special urban area of ​​Vietnam, along with the capital Hanoi.

The history of the founding of Ho Chi Minh City

When introducing Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), everyone proudly boasts of being the largest city in Vietnam in terms of population and economy , and the second largest in area. This land was initially called Prey Nokor, later formed through the Nguyen Dynasty's exploration of the South. In 1698, Nguyen Huu Canh established Gia Dinh Prefecture, marking the beginning of the city's existence. When the French entered Indochina, to serve their colonial exploitation, Saigon was established. Gradually, the city rapidly developed, becoming one of the two most important cities in Vietnam. Along with Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Saigon was dubbed the "Pearl of the Far East" by the French, standing out among their colonies. Saigon also served as the capital of the Indochinese Federation from 1887 to 1901 (later, the French moved the capital of the Indochinese Federation to Hanoi).

Ho Chi Minh City has a glorious and resilient history of formation.

In 1949, Saigon became the capital of the State of Vietnam – a political entity within the Indochinese Federation, later the capital of the Republic of Vietnam. In 1955, with the establishment of the Republic of Vietnam, Saigon, then the largest city in South Vietnam, was chosen as its capital, officially named Saigon Metropolitan Area. Since then, the city has become one of the most important urban centers in South Vietnam. After the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam on April 30, 1975, the territory of Vietnam was completely unified. On July 2, 1976, the National Assembly of unified Vietnam decided to rename Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), after the first President of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

How many districts does Ho Chi Minh City have?

As an economic, cultural, and educational center, Ho Chi Minh City is constantly developing, making strong breakthroughs, and becoming one of the largest metropolises in the country. So, how many cities, districts, and counties does Ho Chi Minh City have? That's a question many people have. Administratively, Ho Chi Minh City is divided into 22 districts and counties, including 1 city, 16 districts, and 5 counties. The cities, districts, and counties belonging to Ho Chi Minh City include: Thu Duc City, District 1, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 7, District 8, District 10, District 11, District 12, Binh Thanh District, Binh Tan District, Go Vap District, Phu Nhuan District, Tan Binh District, Tan Phu District, Binh Chanh County, Can Gio County, Cu Chi County, Hoc Mon County, and Nha Be County. Thu Duc City is the first and only city within the administrative unit of a centrally-governed city.

What makes Ho Chi Minh City so attractive?

Delicious street food

When introducing Ho Chi Minh City, it's impossible to overlook its famous street food. The unique culinary scene, with its diverse dishes, promises to offer you the most memorable experiences. Some delicious dishes worth mentioning include:

Braised offal

This Saigon street food is always a favorite among many diners. Phá lấu is made from pig's stomach, intestines, lungs, liver, heart, etc., then marinated with various spices, fried until golden brown, and then boiled until tender. Coconut milk is also added during cooking to create a sweet and creamy broth. Phá lấu can be enjoyed with bread or on its own – both are delicious.

Phá lấu is a famous dish in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fried batter

Fried dough is considered one of the most popular street foods in Ho Chi Minh City. With an extremely simple recipe, all you need is flour, eggs, shredded papaya, and green onions to make a delicious plate of fried dough. This dish is usually served with soy sauce, chili, and chili paste to enhance its rich and savory flavor. If you have the chance to visit during the cold winter months, don't forget to try this tempting fried dough dish!

Broken rice

Broken rice (Com Tam) is a signature dish often mentioned when introducing Ho Chi Minh City . It's not only considered a breakfast dish but also a familiar meal for lunch, dinner, and even supper. The rice used to make Com Tam is broken rice, a type of broken rice that is inexpensive but of high quality. A plate of Com Tam usually includes a fried egg, grilled pork ribs, egg patties, vegetables, etc., depending on your order.

Enjoy delicious and tempting broken rice dishes in Ho Chi Minh City.

Rice noodle soup

Hu Tieu is an attractive street food with a distinctive style from Southern Vietnam. It's often confused with the famous pho from the North. This dish is made from soft rice noodles combined with a broth made from meat and bones, blended with special spices. When enjoying hu tieu, remember to eat it with some fresh vegetables to enhance the flavor.

Braised duck noodles

If you ever have the chance to visit Ho Chi Minh City, you absolutely must try the famous braised duck noodles of the Chinese community. To create a delicious bowl of braised duck noodles, the chef must use small, chewy noodles that don't become sticky or mushy when blanched. In addition, the combination of a large, tender duck leg with golden-brown skin, topped with a rich broth, makes for an irresistible bowl of braised duck noodles. To enhance the flavor, diners can enjoy it with fresh vegetables, pickles, and a little chili paste.

Braised duck noodle soup with multiple layers of flavor.

Pan-fried bread

Pan-fried bread is considered one of the most popular street food snacks in Ho Chi Minh City, loved by many young people. Each pan usually contains at least 3 to 7 main ingredients including: chicken eggs, shredded pork floss, Vietnamese sausage, hot dogs, dumplings, salted pork belly, beef, etc. When eaten together, you will feel the rich and creamy taste of the ingredients blended with a savory sauce, served with bread and lettuce. Although it is a simple dish, thanks to its unique and skillful preparation, it makes many diners remember it forever after just one bite.

Tourist attractions that draw visitors

When introducing Ho Chi Minh City to tourists, don't forget to mention its famous attractions! There are many interesting and unique places to visit, such as: the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, the Opera House, the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office , the Southern Women's Museum, Nha Rong Wharf, the Art in Us 3D Art Museum, the Beer Alley: Lost in Hong Kong, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, etc. In addition, there are many places that are open at night, such as: Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Bui Vien Walking Street, Saigon Starlight Bridge, Landmark 81, etc. If you have any questions during your visit, you can always ask the locals; they will gladly guide you.