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Ho Chi Minh City: Facts to Know

The most dynamic and vibrant of Vietnamese cities, Ho Chi Minh City, more commonly known as Saigon, is the largest city in the country by population. Page through for some interesting facts about this mighty port city.
Sucheta Pradhan
Previously known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has been named after Vietnam’s revolutionary leader and former prime minister Hồ Chí Minh. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Communist-ruled Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Throughout history, Ho Chi Minh City has been called by many different names. Initially, as the Khmer fishing settlement, it was called ‘Prey Nokor’. When the Vietnamese took it from the Khmers, it was named ‘Gia Dinh’.
Then, in 1862 under the French rule, it was named ‘Saigon’, and finally ‘Ho Chi Minh City’ after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
It is well known that the French colonized Vietnam for over a century and even today, Ho Chi Minh City hosts some of the finest remnants of the colonial era.
... Saigon Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, Municipal Theater, and the City Hall.
Some of the famous French buildings in the city include Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral ...
Ho Chi Minh City has a network of underground tunnels, called the Củ Chi tunnels.
During the Tet Offensive of 1968, they were used by the Vietcong guerrillas as supply routes and hiding spots at the time of combat.
Ho Chi Minh City is home to more than 80 different universities and colleges, and boasts a student population of over 400,000.
The people of Ho Chi Minh City love their motorbikes. Apparently, the city has more than two million scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles speeding through its busy roads.
It is a thick coffee concoction served cold with condensed milk.
Ho Chi Minh City is known for its rich coffee culture. The famous Cà Phê Đá, Vietnamese iced coffee is the most loved beverage of the city.
Ho Chi Minh City is home to a large number of classy, budget-friendly spas. So, after spending a tiring day on the city’s ever-bustling streets, take the time to unwind and rejuvenate at one of these calming spas.
If you love street food, then Ho Chi Minh City is your paradise. It is the best place to get the most scrumptious street food in the whole of Vietnam.
From the famous Bánh mì and Pho to the lip-smacking Gỏi cuốn and Cao lầu, you’ll never run out of options in Ho Chi Minh City!
Unlike the rest of the world where the Yellow traffic light indicates drivers to reduce their speeds, in Ho Chi Minh City is actually tells them to increase it.