13 facts about Ho Chi Minh City to get to know the capital of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

Named after the Vietnamese revolutionary leader and currently the largest city in the country by population, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam.

Filled with magnificent architecture and a wealth of culture, it's a great place to relax. Every year more and more tourists come here, eager to explore this history-filled city. Funny enough, in 2017 alone, Ho Chi Minh City saw more than 5 million tourists!

Here are 13 more interesting facts about Ho Chi Minh City that you're sure to dream about.


1. one city, many names

Ho Chi Minh City has seen many names in its history! Originally called Prey Nokor ("Forest City") or Preah Reach Nokor ("Royal City"), it was a small Khmer fishing village. When the Vietnamese took over the area, they called it Gia Dinh.

Under French rule since 1862 it became known as Saigon. With the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the city was renamed after the first leader of the Communist government, Ho Chi Minh.

Today it is known worldwide as Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), but some parts of the city, particularly District 1, are still unofficially called Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City


2. Ho Chi Minh City is a modern city in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam. In fact, it occupies only about 0.6% of the total area of the country. It is one of the most important cities that has developed rapidly over the past few decades.

As of 2005, it accounted for 20.2% of Vietnam's GDP and 28% of industrial production. No wonder Ho Chi Minh City is Asia's 50th most expensive city to live in!

Presidential palace


3. Ho Chi Minh City has a thriving economy

Vietnam as a whole thrives on a cash economy, and Ho Chi Minh City is no different! The secret is that cash plays an important role, despite its cosmopolitan nature.

If you want to have a comfortable trip here, it is best to have enough money with you. It is a good idea to convert all your currency into Vietnamese dong. It is not always available outside the country. You can also use your card, but from short trips, to quick snacks and impromptu plans, transactions will be cash-based. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Money Vietnam


4. Ho Chi Minh City has a diverse demographic

About 94% of the population are Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese). The largest ethnic minority is the Chinese, who constitute 6% of the population.

They speak many varieties of Chinese, such as Hakka, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and Hokkien. The Khmer ethnic group makes up 0.3% of the population. The Cham is another indigenous ethnic group that makes up 0.1% of the population.

Ho Chi Minh Demographics


5. Ho Chi Minh City - Multicultural City

The most common religions in the city are Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Some of the famous Buddhist temples in the city are Vinh Nhim Pagoda, Tam Son Hoi Quan Pagoda, and Jade Emperor Pagoda.

An interesting fact about the city is how common the practices of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are in the same temples. In addition, Catholics make up about 10% of the city's population. Other minority groups include Hindus, Muslims, Protestants, and the Bahai faith.

Hochiminh Theater


6. Ho Chi Minh City is two-wheeled abundance

After Taiwan, Vietnam is the world's second largest country in terms of motorcycle ownership. As of 2016, there were about 37 million registered motorcycles. This means that there are about 20 motorcycles for every car!

There are about 7 million motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City, which are added every day. Unfortunately, these figures are accompanied by high rates of traffic accidents.

According to the World Health Organization, mortality rates in Vietnam are the second highest in Southeast Asia. Remember to look both ways before crossing the road!

Read also: 13 interesting facts about Hanoi that will surprise you

Bike Ho Chi Minh


7. Ho Chi Minh City has a thriving education industry

Ho Chi Minh City has a rapidly growing education sector, especially in higher education. In 2010, it had more than 80 universities and colleges with about 400,000 students.

Some of the most famous universities are the Vietnam National University, the International University, the University of Economics and Law, and the University of Technology. In addition, there are several campuses for international educational institutions such as RMIT University (Melbourne).

Ho Chi Minh University


8. Ho Chi Minh City has a rich coffee culture

An interesting fact about the city is that despite its choice of beer and Vietnamese wine, it remains faithful to fine coffee beans.

Coffee, or cha da da, is perhaps the favorite drink here. It is served cold with condensed milk, and it is often thick enough to scoop out with a spoon.

In Ho Chi Minh City, you will find cafes that sell different varieties of this drink at prices ranging from 5,000 to 70,000 won. You will be surprised to learn that this coffee culture is so common here that even commercial deals are made in coffee shops!

Ho Chi Minh coffee


9. The French influence remains in the city

Vietnam was a French colony for more than a century, so it is not surprising that a strong French influence still exists today. The city of Ho Chi Minh City is home to Vietnam's own Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the 19th century. Today it is one of the most popular places for wedding photos.

Saigon's Central Post Office was designed by the famous Gustave Eiffel in 1886. Through the beautiful boulevards of District 1 you will see other French colonial buildings such as the Reunification Palace, the Municipal Theater (also called the Opera House), the Hotel Majestic and the City Hall.

French Influence Remains in Ho Chi Minh City


10. Ho Chi Minh City was a strategic city for the Vietnam War

Named Saigon at the time, Ho Chi Minh City was the capital of South Vietnam until 1975. It was ruled by an anti-Communist government supported by French and American troops. The Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages used by Viet Cong guerrillas during the Tet offensive (1968), operate under the city.

The tunnels served as shelters during combat, supply routes, and residential quarters for many North Vietnamese fighters. History buffs will be glad to know that it is possible to visit these tunnels even today.

Read also: 7 Vietnam War Museums Worth a Visit

Strategic City


11. express trains run from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Before the unification of North Vietnam and South Vietnam in 1976, they operated as two independent countries. Today, trains following the north-south route from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south are sometimes called "Reunification Express.

An interesting fact is that the Express Reunions are not one, but many trains, and none of them have an official name.

As of 2005, about 200 stations on the Vietnamese railroad network are located along the route. In case you are wondering, this route covers 1,726 kilometers.


12. Ho Chi Minh City is the central resort of Vietnam

An interesting fact about the city is that it is flooded with fantastic spas! After a tiring day of walking the crowded streets of Ho Chi Minh City, fighting the hot sun, there is nothing better than relaxing in a soothing spa.

The best spas can be found in the city center, such as Ben Thanh Market. You will need to pay about NZ$250,000 for manicure and pedicure services, and about NZ$150,000 for a full body massage.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's Spa Central


13. There is good street food in Ho Chi Minh City

While Hanoi is the best place for authentic Vietnamese and street food, Ho Chi Minh City is home to some of the best street food in all of Vietnam, and we wouldn't want you to miss it!

After the delicious banh mi (a variation of the French baguette sandwich), ba lo lat (grilled minced beef cutlets), goi cuon (translucent summer rolls), cao lau (a pork noodle dish) and, of course, the popular pho (rice noodle broth) you will be spoiled for choice at every meal.

Read also: 8 night markets in Ho Chi Minh City for evening shopping

Vietnam Street Food

Armed with all this information, don't you want to pack your bags right now and get on the next flight to see if all these interesting facts about Ho Chi Minh City are true?

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

en_USEnglish
Close