Geography
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is located in Southern Vietnam and at a transitional zone between Southeast Vietnam and Mekong Delta. It is the most populous and biggest city in the country. The city has over 8.9 million within city proper and over 21 million within the metropolitan area, according to 2019 census records.
Ho Chi Minh city’s area is 2095.6 squared kilometers, locating from 10°10′ to 10°38′ north latitude and from 106°22′ to 106°54′ east longitude. It has 19 administered districts, including districts 1 to 12, Thu Duc, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan, Go Vap, Tan Binh, Tan Phu, and Binh Tan. Besides, it has 5 suburban districts, which are Cu Chi, Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, Nha Be, and Can Gio.
In addition, Saigon has four poles, whose positions are in Cu Chi district (North and West) and Can Gio district (South and East). Further, it shares the border with six provinces, including Binh Duong (north), Tay Ninh (northwest), Dong Nai (northeast and east), Ba Ria – Vung Tau (southeast), and Long An and Tien Giang (southwest).
Vietnam is in the tropical area, and Ho Chi Minh city is near the Equator; therefore, its average temperature is 27°C with the highest number of 40°C and the lowest one of 13.8°C. Besides, its air humidity is also high, with an average of 79.5%, which creates two main seasons: rainy and dry. On average, the city will have 159 rainy days from May to November, and it has the heaviest rainfall in June and September.
History
Saigon has been the most populous city in Vietnam even before the country became independent from France. However, it has belonged to Vietnam since the 17th century, during the time of the Nguyen Lords. The city previously was part of Cambodia with the former name called Prey Nokor.
When the French started controlling Vietnam, Saigon was captured in 1859 and later served as the capital of Cochinchina. Further, when the French left, the city became the capital of the Republic of Vietnam from 1956 and 1975. Finally, when Northern and Southern Vietnam merged on April 30th, 1975, the Hanoi government changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City.
Credit to