Ho Chi Minh City has come a long way from its humble beginnings
as a small fishing village called Prey Nokor—with a population
of about 7.2 million people, it is now Vietnam’s largest city.
During French occupation it became Saigon, which is still
commonly used by the Vietnamese and can be seen on shop signs
throughout the city; in the north, however, it is strictly
referred to as Ho Chi Minh City. After the fall of Saigon in
1975, the Gia Šinh province and two neighboring districts were
combined with Saigon to create Ho Chi Minh City, honoring the
Communist leader who had died in 1969. Ho Chi Minh City is a
seamless blend of history and modern commercial energy; it is no
wonder that the city’s population grows by 200,000 each year.
From the enduring, narrow alleyways to the wide, historic
boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City has an identity that is all its
own. Historic French architecture adorns much of the city and
prominent landmarks, such as Reunification Palace or Notre-Dame
Cathedral, can be found in its jewel