Ho Chi Minh City also widely known by its former name of Saigon, is the largest city in Vietnam by population. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam from 1955–75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City.

Sài is a Sino-Vietnamese word, meaning firewood, lops, twigs, palisade, while Gòn is another Sino-Vietnamese word meaning stick, pole, bole. The current official name, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, commemorates Hồ Chí Minh, the first leader of North Vietnam.

Saigon is a city in southern Vietnam famous for the pivotal role it played in the Vietnam War. After the war, compared to other regions in Indochina, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City saw the most significant investment and restoration from its early days. Today, the city is Vietnam’s economic and financial centre. Accounting for one third of Vietnam’s GDP, this dynamic city of over 10 million inhabitants, is also Vietnam’s premiere tourist location. Motorcycles rule the streets and provide the most convenient way of getting around the sights. The former Saigon boosts charming French colonial architecture and boulevards. Undoubtedly, the city has set the cultural pace for the country.

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