formerly Saigon, the city had humble beginnings and then grew under French rule. After that, it became capital of South Vietnam post-independence. A key battlefield in the Vietnam War, it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, a unified Vietnam hub. With over 13 million citizens, it's the country's economic engine.

The tiny fishing community of Prey Nokor is where Ho Chi Minh City, then known as Saigon, had its start. It was a peaceful and modest community while it was a part of the Khmer Empire, but in the 17th century, Vietnamese settlers moved southward, creating the groundwork for the city's expansion.

Frenchg colonists took Saigon in the middle of the 19th century and made it the capital of French Cochinchina. Under their leadership, the city developed with state-of-the-art facilities and gained monikers such as "The Pearl of the Far East". Famous structures from this era that combine local culture and European architecture include the Central Post Office and the Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Saigon became the capital of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) in 1955 after World War II and the end of French colonial authority. It was a thriving center of culture and commerce at the time, and the colorful streets represented the hopes of a developing country.

Saigon was devastated by the Vietnam War and became a strategic battlefield. Dramatic events, such as the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, which signated the end of the war, took place in the city. In recognition of the revolutionary hero who led Vietnam's independence and unification, Saigon was soon renamed Ho Chi Minh city.

With more than 13 million inhabitants, Ho Chi Minh City is currently the center of Vietnam. With its booming businesses, busy marketplace, and vibrant culture that blends history and modernity, it acts as the country's economic engine. Historical sites and landmarks like Ben Thanh Market and the Bitexco Financial coexist, highlighting the city's incredible journey.