Ho Chi Minh City

In the core of the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is second the most important in Vietnam after Hanoi. The city is bathed by many rivers, arroyos and canals, the biggest river being the Saigon River.

It is not only a commercial center but also a scientific, technological, industrial and tourist centre.

The climate is generally hot and humid. There are two distinctive seasons: the rainy season, from May to November, and the dry season, from December to April. The annual average temperature is 27c.

The history of the city relates closely with the struggle for the independence and freedom of Vietnam. Despite its quite recent past, Ho Chi Minh City nevertheless possesses various beautiful buildings, displaying a characteristic combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European cultures.