How would you like to travel back in time to 1698? Today we are standing in Xã Tăng Hoà in Ho Chi Minh City. This is a place with a captivating past.
Xã Tăng Hoà is a part of the most populous city in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City has about 10 million residents. The city’s story begins long ago. It started as part of Cambodian states. Later, it became Vietnamese territory in 1698. This was thanks to the expansionist policy of Nam tiến.
The city later became Saigon. It was the capital of French Cochinchina from 1862 to 1949. It also served as the capital of French Indochina. This was from 1887 to 1902, and again from 1945 to 1954.
After France recognized Vietnam’s independence, Saigon became the capital of South Vietnam. This lasted from 1949 to 1955. Later North Vietnam captured it. They created a unified communist state in 1976. The city was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. This was in honor of their former leader, Hồ Chí Minh.
Even now, many people still call it Saigon. Saigon often refers to the city center in District 1. Ho Chi Minh City encompasses all urban and rural districts.
In 1679, refugees from the Qing dynasty settled here. They sought refuge with the approval of Lord Nguyễn Phúc Tần. Later in 1698, Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh was sent to establish Vietnamese administrative structures. He detached the area from Cambodia.
Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh gets credit for expanding Saigon. He transformed it into a significant settlement. King Chey Chettha IV of Cambodia tried to intervene. Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh defeated him in 1700. As a result, Saigon and Long An became part of the Nguyễn domain. More Vietnamese settlers then moved in.
The French greatly influenced Ho Chi Minh City. You can still see French-style buildings throughout the city. Many notable buildings are in District 1. This includes the Saigon Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.
Ho Chi Minh City is a city of contrasts. It has a rich history and a war-torn past. Yet it is also a place with a progressive culture and modern urban development. It is the economic and cultural hub of Vietnam.
The city is known for its dynamic street life. There are bustling markets and delicious street food. Don’t miss trying phở or rice vermicelli. Many restaurants serve typical Vietnamese dishes.
Ho Chi Minh City is the busiest international transport hub in Vietnam. The city’s airport accounts for nearly half of all international arrivals. The Port of Saigon is among the busiest container ports in Southeast Asia.
In Ho Chi Minh City there are lots of buses, taxis, motorbikes, and cyclos. Many people are working to improve public transport to help reduce traffic. Taxis are plentiful and usually have meters. It is also common to agree on a price before a long trip. You can also book motorcycle and car taxis through ride-hailing apps.
Today, Ho Chi Minh City is a manufacturing hub. The city attracts business. It continues to modernize, holding on to its history. Xã Tăng Hoà stands as a testament to this journey through time.