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Area:
2,098.7
sq. km
Population:
6,105.8 thousand
habitants (2006)
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.
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Rural districts: Nha Be, Can Gio, Hoc Mon, Cu
Chi, Binh Chanh.
Ethnic groups:
Viet (Kinh), Hoa, Khmer, Cham...
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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.
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.
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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
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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. |
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