Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, city on the right bank of the Saigon River, became capital of South Vietnam in 1954. One of the earliest known records of the area now known as Ho Chi Minh City says that it was a small fishing village called Prey Nokor, inhabited by Khmer people. By 1867, France had conquered all of southern Vietnam, which became the French colony of Cochin-China. For administrative purposes Saigon and Cholon, on opposite banks of the Saigon River, were merged in 1932 and in 1956 the two cities were included in the new prefecture of Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City is in the tropics, and very close to the sea, so its climate is steadily warm to hot all year round. There are typically two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. December to April is the dry season, while the rest of the year belongs to the wet season. The annual average temperature is 27°C (80.6°F). The average rainfall of the city is around 1,800 mm.

Ho Chi Minh City is the most important economic center in Vietnam as it accounts for a high proportion of Vietnam's economy. The city is well connected with rest of the world through air routes and sea and thereby draws huge foreign funds in the fields like oil, gas, agriculture, textiles, and marine products. However tourism contributes a major part of the government's revenue.

Getting to Ho Chi Minh City by air is easy and convenient way as Tan Son Nhat international airport, located 7 km away from the heart of the city is the main gateway for flights arriving from the rest of the world. The Vietnamese railway company, Duong Sat Vietnam, offers the rail service in the city. The Southern rail route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City operates the famous Reunification Express train. Ho Chi Minh City's millions of motorbikes emit a constant roar and palpable exhaust, and the city's two- and three-hour traffic jams are legendary.

The Constitution of 1967 provided equal access to all citizens to education, made basic education free and compulsory, and declared that "talented persons who do not have the means will be given aid and support to continue their studies." Children normally start their primary education at the age of six. Primary and secondary education is provided by the government through basic and secondary schools and is free to all. Graduates of secondary schools were considered to have completed training in "general culture" and to be ready for employment requiring skilled labor. College or university education normally commences at 18 years of age. Higher education in Vietnam is similar to that of the former Soviet Union with a multiplicity of small mono-disciplinary institutions with limited linkage between teaching and research. Vocational schools at the secondary and college levels served to train technicians and skilled workers.

The Reunification Palace, or the Independence Palace used to the residence of the president of former South Vietnam. Most parts of this building has been kept exactly like they used to be in the 60s.

The War Remnant Museum displays man’s cruelty during the Vietnam war. Cruel, yet real photographs, simulated prisons and war armaments are in display in this museum. You may find war amputees trying and selling their wares nearby.

Ho Chi MInh City has several nearby places make interesting day trips. Within sight of Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels are part of an extensive network of underground passages which extend as far as Cambodia. Today it is one of the country's prime tourist attractions, part of a new industry of war tourism. Built by the Viet Kong, the tunnels played a strategic role in the Communists victory. More than 150 miles of tunnels were constructed over a 10 year period on three levels (some up to 23 feet deep), creating an underground complex for 16,000 guerrilla fighters just 22 miles outside Ho Chi MInh City, 45 miles to the southeast. The underground network provided sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals, and other social rooms.

Ho Chi Minh City is a city of festivals and events. For generations festivals have been an important cultural activity of the Vietnamese people. The major event in Vietnam - celebrated with extra vigour in Ho Chi Minh City - is the Tet (or Lunar New Year) Festival. Tet falls between 19 January and 20 February and lasts a whole week in the south with every effort made to indulge in drinking, eating, and enjoyable social activities.