Ho Chi Minh

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.
- 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 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.
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.

Public Transportation
Ho Chi Minh City is the main Destination trains, roads, water, and air transportation systems for domestic trips and for foreign destination.
- Roads:
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi:  is 1,730km ( national route No 1)
Ho Chi Minh City – Mui Ne: is 200km
Ho Chi Minh city – Nha Trang: 447km
Ho Chi Minh city – Dalat: 310km
Ho Chi Minh city – Hoi An: 931km
Ho Chi Minh city – Can Tho ( central of Mekong delta):  169km
Ho Chi Minh city  Hue : 1066km
Ho Chi Minh city – Phnom Penh (Cambodia) : 210km

- Train: Reunification Express train connects Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, via major cities:
Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang:  447km
Ho Chi Minh City – Danang: 935km
Ho Chi Minh City – Hue: 1038km
Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh:  1407km
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi: 1726km

- Air: Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 7km from center of city, is the biggest airport with many domestic and international routes
Domestic route:
Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang
HO Chi Minh city – Dalat
Ho Chi Minh City – Qui Nhon
Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc Island
Ho Chi Minh City – Con Dao island
Ho Chi Minh City – Buon Me Thuoc
Ho Chi Minh City – Pleiku
Ho Chi Minh City – Danang
Ho Chi Minh City – Hue
Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi

International flight Route:
Ho Chi Minh City – Beijing
HO Chi Minh city – Bangkok
Ho Chi Minh City – Guangzhou
Ho Chi Minh City – Frankfurt
Ho Chi Minh City – Fukuoka
Ho Chi Minh City – Hong Kong
Ho Chi Minh City – Jakarta
Ho Chi Minh City – Kaohsiung
Ho Chi Minh City – Kunming
Ho Chi Minh City – Kuala Lumpur
Ho Chi Minh City – Los Angeles
Ho Chi Minh City – Luang Prabang
HO Chi Minh city – Melbourne
Ho Chi Minh City – Manila
Ho Chi Minh City – Moscow
Ho Chi Minh City – Nagoya
Ho Chi Minh City – Osaka
Ho Chi Minh City – Paris
Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City – Busan
Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap
Ho Chi Minh City – Seoul
Ho Chi Minh City – San Francisco
Ho Chi Minh City – Singapore
Ho Chi Minh City – Sydney
Ho Chi Minh City – Taipei
Ho Chi Minh City – Tokyo
Ho Chi Minh City – Vientiane
Water way:
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh city – Vung tau
Ho Chi Minh city  - Can Tho