Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City[lower-alpha 1] (abbreviated HCMC), formerly known as Saigon,[lower-alpha 2] is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 9 million in 2019.[5] Situated in the Southeast region of Vietnam, the city surrounds the Saigon River and covers about 2,061 km2 (796 sq mi).
Ho Chi Minh City
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh Saigon (Sài Gòn) | |
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 Seal | |
| Nicknames: | |
| Motto(s): | |
 Interactive map outlining Ho Chi Minh City | |
  Ho Chi Minh City Location within Vietnam  Ho Chi Minh City Location within Southeast Asia  Ho Chi Minh City Location within Asia | |
| Coordinates: 10°46′32″N 106°42′07″E | |
| Country |  Vietnam |
| Region | Southeast |
| Founded | 1698 |
| Founded by | Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh |
| Districts | 16 urban districts, 5 rural districts and 1 sub-city |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Body | Ho Chi Minh City People's Council |
| • Secretary of CPV | Nguyễn Văn Nên |
| • Chairwoman of People's Council | Nguyễn Thị Lệ |
| • Chairman of People's Committee | Phan Văn Mãi |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 2,061.2 km2 (795.83 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 30,595 km2 (11,813 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 19 m (63 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Municipality | 9,166,800 (1st) |
| • Density | 4,375/km2 (11,330/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 21,281,639 (1st) |
| • Metro density | 697.2/km2 (1,806/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Saigonese |
| Time zone | UTC+07:00 (ICT) |
| Postal code | 700000–740000 |
| Area codes | 28 |
| ISO 3166 code | VN-SG |
| License plate | 41, 50–59 |
| GRP (Nominal) | 2022 |
| – Total | US$63.6 billion[5] |
| – Per capita | US$6,890 |
| GRP (PPP) | 2022 |
| – Total | US$199.7 billion[6] |
| – Per capita | US$21,640 |
| HDI (2020) | 0.795 (2nd)[7] |
| International airports | Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) |
| Rapid transit system | Ho Chi Minh City Metro |
| Website | hochiminhcity |
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Saigon was the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902, and again from 1945 until its cessation in 1954. Following the partition of French Indochina, it became the capital of South Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in 1975. The communist government renamed Saigon in honour of Hồ Chí Minh shortly after the fall of Saigon. Beginning in the 1990s, the city underwent rapid modernisation and expansion, contributing to Vietnam's post-war economic recovery.[8]
It is known for its well-preserved French colonial architecture and vibrant street life.[9] Its varied cultural institutions, which include historic landmarks, walking streets, museums and galleries, attracts over 8 million international visitors each year.[10][11]
Ho Chi Minh City is a major centre for finance, media, technology, education, and transportation. The city generates around a quarter of the country's total GDP, and is home to many multinational companies.[12] It has a Human Development Index of 0.795 (high), ranking second among all municipalities and provinces of Vietnam.[7] Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, the main airport serving the city, is the busiest airport in the country by passenger traffic, accounting for nearly half of all international arrivals to Vietnam.[13]