Ho Chi Minh City

Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, historically known as Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam, with a metro population approaching 10 million. The area was originally a Khmer fishing village called Prey Nokor before coming under Vietnamese control in the 17th century. Under French rule it served as capital of the Cochinchina colony from 1862, and later as capital of South Vietnam until 1975.

North Vietnamese forces captured the city on April 30, 1975, and it was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976. Despite the official name change, locals and businesses still commonly refer to the old colonial core as Saigon. Today it serves as Vietnam’s economic engine, generating a significant portion of the national GDP.