Area: 2,095 sq. km
Population: 8 million habitant
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...
Ho Chi Minh City - one of the most important commercial and tourist centres in Vietnam - lies between the Mekong River Delta and Eastern Nam Bo. Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Sai Gon) is the second most important in Vietnam after the capital of Ha Noi. It is 1,730km by land from Ha Noi, and 50 km from the East Sea. Over the past centuries, Sai Gon was known as an important trading centre to Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants, who traveled upstream the Sai Gon River to Pho Island to do business. Sai Gon was once praised as the "Pearl of the Far East". At present, Ho Chi Minh City is not only a commercial centre, but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist one.
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.
ATTRACTIONS
Reunification Hall
(Former Presidential Palace): Formerly South Vietnam's Presidential Palace, this is a restored five-floor time warp to the Sixties left largely untouched from the day before Saigon fell to the North. On April 30, 1975, the war ended when tank 843, now parked outside, crashed through the gate. Be sure to check out the impressively kitschy recreation room, featuring a circular sofa. You can also visit the war rooms in the basement and view a propaganda film recounting how the South Vietnamese lackeys and American imperialists succumbed to Ho Chi Minh's indomitable revolutionary forces
The Central Post-office
is a post office in the downtown Ho Chi Minh City, beside Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica. The building was constructed by the French colonists in early 20th century during French Indochina. This post features the Gothic architecture style and was designed in well harmony with the surrounding ward. Today, this post office is an attraction for tourists in this city.
Notre Dame Cathedral
A French-built Catholic cathedral in the city center was built in the 18th century and decorated with stain glass windows. Perhaps the best day to visit is on Sunday when the church service is held.
War Remnant Museum
or War Crimes Museum, is a must see for anyone interested in late 20th century history. The tanks, helicopters, planes and arms on display are not what makes of this is such an important visit. What draws most visitors here are the images on display. Visitors can see the effects of the weapons of mass destruction used by the Americans during The War
Thien Hau Pagoda
was built by the Cantonese Congregation in the early 19th century The Pagoda dedicated to Lady Thien Hau, the sea goddess, who left two giant turtles to keep an eye on things in her absence. Don’t miss the gorgeous sculptures in the walls of the courtyard outside the temple.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda:
The most famous pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City is located at 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street. It is also one of the largest in Vietnam, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. Vinh Nghiem pagoda has a seven-storey tower keeping many valuable pictures, statues of Buddha and a large bell contributed by Japanese Buddhists for peace prayers during the war in Vietnam.
Binh Tay Market & China town:
Binh Tay is the biggest market in Saigon. It is located in the city's Chinatown, Cholon. Although this is mainly a wholesale market, it is a visit you should not miss. A walk inside the market will be a pleasure for your senses. The market is quite far from the city center.
