Ho Chi Minh city ( former name is Saigon derived from 1698) is the biggest tourism and economy center in Vietnam. Once it was called the Pearl of Far East. The city is 1,690 km south of Hanoi. Former name of Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh city in 1976, after Vietnam get the unification in 1975. Ho Chi Minh is the first president of Vietnam, from 1945. North and South Vietnam was separated from 1954 - 1975.
There are two distinct seasons in here. The rainy season is from May to Nov, and dry season lasts from Dec till April. The average temperature is 27.5o C. The city consists of 19 urban districts and 5 rural districts. Hundreds of rivers and canals cross HCM city. The Saigon river embraces the city with the length of 106 km. By the time of saying the city population is around 10 millions, the most populated city in Vietnam.
Nowadays HCM city is not only biggest city but has biggest GDP in Vietnam also. The city central Government has developed many new urban areas in order to meet rapidly increased housing need during the past ten years. City's Infrastructure is being improved and modern so can attracts foreign investment. The most expensive properties are in District 1. The city has Tan Son Nhat international airport and International Saigon River Port. The city metro now, 2016, under construction, to be completed around 2019.
There are many flights a day from Hanoi and Danang cities to HMC, done by Vietnam airlines, viet jet air, and jetstar pacific. You can get there by bus, train from all cities in Vietnam. Best tourist attractions in HCM city are Unification palace, Cu Chi historical tunnels, Dam Sen Park, Suoi Tien tourist site, Notre Dame Cathedral, City central Post Office, Town Hall, War Remnants Museum, Ben Thanh Market, Cho Lon Market, Betel Garden, Can Gio - Vam Sat Mangrove Forest, Binh Quoi tourist village, Vinh Nghiem pagoda, Van Hanh Monastery, Giac Vien Pagoda, Giac Lam pagoda, Xa loi pagoda, Municipal Theater.