Ho Chi Minh City Location and History:
Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, its economic and cultural hub. The city was once formally known as Saigon; it was a Cambodian city until the Vietnamese successfully annexed it in the 17th century. When the French took over in the 19th century, they made Saigon the new colony’s capital, a status it retained after independence and throughout the Vietnam War. In 1975, the Communists took over and renamed the city Ho Chi Minh City, after the revered father of Vietnamese Communism.
The city can be found in the southeastern region of Vietnam, more than 1,100 miles to the south of the current capital Hanoi, and is located near the Mekong Delta.
Ho Chi Minh City Climate and Weather:
Getting around Ho Chi Minh City - Ho Chi Minh City Transportation:
Taxis in Ho Chi Minh City are cheap and comfortable. Taking a taxi will set you back about 15,000 dong for the first 1.5 kilometer (about 85 US cents), plus 9,000 dong per additional kilometer.
Xe om, or motorbike taxis, are easy to find all over the city, and are surprisingly safe. Drivers will supply you with a helmet to wear for the duration of your trip.
If you’re inside the city center, most of the sights are close enough to reach on foot, if the humidity doesn’t bother you.
