Tuesday, 22 July 2008
THAI NGUYEN AGRO-FORESTRY AND FISHERY
AGRO-FORESTRY AND FISHERY
Tea output increases 9.4%/year. Husbandry has taken the first change such as feeding cow, lean pig and poultry, thus creating a growth rate of 5.7%. Output of aquaculture is increasing about 2.5%/year...
AGRO-FORESTRY AND FISHERY
1. Achievement in the period 2001-2005:
Agro-forestry has gained high growth rate and developed in the direction of attaching production with market, increasing production value per unit and improving product quality.
Plantation: focused on exploiting trees which are the provincial advantage such as tea; tea output increases about 9.4%/year. Husbandry has taken first change, with a growth rate of 5.7%/year.
Output of aquaculture is increasing at an average of 2.5%/year.
Rural economy has had new development in the direction of diversifying industries and increasing the share of industry and construction. In the previous year, the share of industry in the rural economy has increased about 5% and the share of rural services increased over 3%/year.
2. Development direction till 2010:
Economic objectives:
- Production value of Agro-Forestry and fishery increases 7-8%, of which Agriculture increases 6-7%; Forestry: 10-11%; Fishery: 8-10%.
- The production value increases 1.7 times more than that of 2005. Value per 1 ha is VND 22.1 million.
- The structure is as follows: Agriculture (93.7%); Forestry (4.0%); Aquaculture (2.3%). In the Agriculture, plantation makes up 67%, husbandry 28.67% and agricultural services 3.68%.
- The export value of Agro-Forestry and Fishery makes up 30% of the provincial export turnover.
Specific objectives:
- Output of cereals is 450,000 tons; average food per capita is 380 kilograms/year.
- Total tea area is 19,450 hectares, including 6,000 hectares of newly cultivated and rehabilitated area.
- Total area of fruit trees is 16,000 hectares, including 3,500 hectares of newly cultivated and rehabilitated area.
- Forestation area is 2,000 hectares/year to reach the forest coverage of 52%.
- Constructing system of irrigation, animal and tree breeding producing system, rural water supplying system; developing rural industries and services to promote the agricultural and rural industrialization.
- Settling 3,340 households (19,470 people); reducing the rate of poor households in the mountainous and highland areas to less than 10%; increasing the rate of rural population using clean water to 100%.
3. Agricultural and rural development master plan till 2010
Agricultural land:
- Shifting 8,000 hectares of field with 1 crop per year to field with 2-3 crops per year.
- Planting 3,000 hectares additional of winter crops in the area of 2 crops/year. Reclaiming 450 hectares for farm produce, 4,500 hectares for tea and fruit trees. Rehabilitating and shifting 220 hectares of farm produce to grow grass for cow feeding.
Food production:
Developing 33,000 hectares of intensive high quality rice; planning commercial corn with an area of 7,000 hectares. Till 2010, output of cereals is 440,000-450,000 tons, ensuring food safety and the average food per capita is 380 kilograms/year.
Commercial trees:
- Tea: planting and rehabilitating 6,000 hectares of new tea breeding to bring the total area to 19,450 hectares and tea output to 136,340 tons and value per hectare is VND 40 million.
- Fruit trees: planting additional 3,500 hectares to bring the total area to 16,000 hectares, output to 71,360 tons and productivity value to VND 500-550 billion.
- Soybean: area is 8,450 hectares and productivity is 13,220 tons
- Peanut: area is 7,510 hectares and productivity is 12,510 tons
- Vegetable: area is 10,000 hectares and productivity is 192,600 tons
- Flower, ornamental plants: total area is 20 hectares and production value is VND 100-150 million/ha/year.
Husbandry:
- Till 2010, the provincial number of livestock and poultry is as follows: 105,000 buffalos, 45,000 cows (including 6,680 milk cows); 689,000 pigs; 10 million poultry; Productivity value of the husbandry in 2010 is 2.23 times more than at present.
Forestry:
- Protecting the existing area; developing forest by recovering 12,000 hectares; planting additional 24,000 hectares, bringing the forest coverage to 52%.
- Exploiting about 100,000 cu meters of woods, 65,700 tons of bamboos, processing 30,000 cu meters of artificial plywood, 15,000 tons of paper and 3,000 cu meters of plywood annually.
Rural development:
- Constructing 375 water tanks; improving 31,500 wells; digging 20,700 new wells; drilling 675 wells; constructing 110 auto-running water-supplying systems and 60 concentrated water supplying works.
- Constructing additional 200,000 rural hygienic latrine, 100,000 hygienic breeding facilities, and 600 biogas tanks to improve the rural environment.
- Upgrading the existing 53 irrigation works, constructing 295 small and medium dams, 25 pumping stations, and 168 water supplying works in hilly areas.
- Constructing water drainage to control flooding in the lower section of Nui Coc Lake. Constructing against-flooding works in Thai Nguyen city. Constructing complete dyke system of Thai Nguyen province.
- Value of agricultural services is VND 120 billion, making up 4% of the total value of Agro-Forestry and Fishery products.
- Production value of handicraft and rural industries is VND 750-800 billion and the annual growth rate is 13%.
4. List of projects calling for investment
In the period 2006 - 2010, there are 14 priority projects for agricultural and rural development as follows:
1. Developing intensive area of high quality tea and constructing a factory for processing tea for export in Song Cong industrial zone.
2. Developing commercial fruit trees and constructing fruit processing factory in Song Cong industrial zone. Constructing center for preserving vegetable and fruits in Thai Nguyen city and Pho Yen district.
3. Constructing factory for producing high quality chicken for export.
4. Upgrading Hoa Son fish breeding farm in Phu Binh district.
5. Planting and processing bamboo shoots for export.
6. Planting high quality forest and processing forestry products for export
7. Constructing animal feeds processing factory
8. Constructing factory for producing veterinary medicines
9. Aquaculture with an area of 4,700 hectares
10. Developing preventive forest attached with eco-tourism and historical relics with an area of 24,136 hectares.
11. Developing rural industries
12. Upgrading water rice breeding farm
13. Completing the system of botanical protection and veterinary stations in the province.
14. Upgrading the provincial system of irrigation works, constructing Van Lang water reservoir in Dong Hy district.
(Source: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Thai Nguyen province)
From: www.thainguyen.org.vn
Thai Nguyen Development Planning 2010
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING TILL 2010
It is estimated that the urban population of Thai Nguyen will be 614,300 people, making up 47.32% of the provincial population and the urbanization rate will be 4.18%. Therefore, it is very necessary to have suitable planning for socio-economic development ...
Development planning till 2010
1. Key economic zones:
At present, the province has 20 urban areas. In the future, the urban system will develop in the direction of regarding industry and services as nuclear and the modern urban system as background, then improving the quality and comprehensiveness, controlling the enlargement of urban scale and area, mainly increasing urban population. The province will develop along national highway No. 3 and 1B. It is estimated that the urban population of Thai Nguyen will be 614,300 people, making up 47.32% of the provincial population and the urbanization rate will be 4.18%.
The province will develop industry in the direction of encouraging small industrial production enterprises, individuals, households or groups of households. The province will also establish satellite facilities for concentrated processing industries; develop industrial production and simple mechanics, traditional industries, transportation activities and other trading activities.
2. Economic zones:
The province will make development planning of highland, mountainous and central economy. That means the province will invest to restore the forest ecology, at the same time create material areas for processing and export; improve the system of transportation, electricity, water supplying and telecommunications…in order to create an attractive environment to investment capital, develop industrial zones and tourism areas in the center. In the province, Thai Nguyen city is a city of level 2, Song Cong town is an urban area level 4 with key industries such as manufacturing mechanics, engine and production, medical tool production. 7 district centers have been regarded as urban areas of level 4, thus being socio-economic and cultural centers of districts and these are also the centers of communes, communal centers and transportation junctions. The population scale of the urban system is 2,000-10,000 people.
- The province will develop industry, attract business and construct infrastructure of the Iron and Steel industrial zone, Song Cong industrial zone, La Hien industrial zone, Giang Tien industrial zone and 25 planned small industrial zones. Some districts, city and town are going to plan additional small industrial zones to submit to the People’s Committee for approval.
- The Government has decided to establish Song Cong industrial zone with an area of 320 hectares, containing mechanics factories of the previous Go Dam mechanics zone. Main infrastructure of the zone has been constructed and about 41 hectares (making up 60% of the total area phase 1) have had projects. Site clearance is being carried out in Song Cong industrial zone to create site for investment projects.
In general, Thai Nguyen province has approximately 1,000 hectares of planned area for new investment projects, excluding the area owned by the provincial enterprises ready for rent or joint venture.
3. Concentrated agro-forestry production areas:
The province will establish intensive agricultural production areas attached with natural conditions and cultivating practices as follows:
- With respect to rice cultivating area, focusing on areas with advantage of water resources;
- With respect to fruit tree areas, focusing on limestone hills;
- With respect to food producing areas, attaching production with consumption market, at the same time ensuring the on-spot food provision.
(Main investment information-document used in the press conference on 22nd September 2004 in Ha Noi)
It is estimated that the urban population of Thai Nguyen will be 614,300 people, making up 47.32% of the provincial population and the urbanization rate will be 4.18%. Therefore, it is very necessary to have suitable planning for socio-economic development ...
Development planning till 2010
1. Key economic zones:
At present, the province has 20 urban areas. In the future, the urban system will develop in the direction of regarding industry and services as nuclear and the modern urban system as background, then improving the quality and comprehensiveness, controlling the enlargement of urban scale and area, mainly increasing urban population. The province will develop along national highway No. 3 and 1B. It is estimated that the urban population of Thai Nguyen will be 614,300 people, making up 47.32% of the provincial population and the urbanization rate will be 4.18%.
The province will develop industry in the direction of encouraging small industrial production enterprises, individuals, households or groups of households. The province will also establish satellite facilities for concentrated processing industries; develop industrial production and simple mechanics, traditional industries, transportation activities and other trading activities.
2. Economic zones:
The province will make development planning of highland, mountainous and central economy. That means the province will invest to restore the forest ecology, at the same time create material areas for processing and export; improve the system of transportation, electricity, water supplying and telecommunications…in order to create an attractive environment to investment capital, develop industrial zones and tourism areas in the center. In the province, Thai Nguyen city is a city of level 2, Song Cong town is an urban area level 4 with key industries such as manufacturing mechanics, engine and production, medical tool production. 7 district centers have been regarded as urban areas of level 4, thus being socio-economic and cultural centers of districts and these are also the centers of communes, communal centers and transportation junctions. The population scale of the urban system is 2,000-10,000 people.
- The province will develop industry, attract business and construct infrastructure of the Iron and Steel industrial zone, Song Cong industrial zone, La Hien industrial zone, Giang Tien industrial zone and 25 planned small industrial zones. Some districts, city and town are going to plan additional small industrial zones to submit to the People’s Committee for approval.
- The Government has decided to establish Song Cong industrial zone with an area of 320 hectares, containing mechanics factories of the previous Go Dam mechanics zone. Main infrastructure of the zone has been constructed and about 41 hectares (making up 60% of the total area phase 1) have had projects. Site clearance is being carried out in Song Cong industrial zone to create site for investment projects.
In general, Thai Nguyen province has approximately 1,000 hectares of planned area for new investment projects, excluding the area owned by the provincial enterprises ready for rent or joint venture.
3. Concentrated agro-forestry production areas:
The province will establish intensive agricultural production areas attached with natural conditions and cultivating practices as follows:
- With respect to rice cultivating area, focusing on areas with advantage of water resources;
- With respect to fruit tree areas, focusing on limestone hills;
- With respect to food producing areas, attaching production with consumption market, at the same time ensuring the on-spot food provision.
(Main investment information-document used in the press conference on 22nd September 2004 in Ha Noi)
Thai Nguyen
BRIEF INFORMATION ON THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE
Thai Nguyen city, is 80 kilometers away from Ha Noi capital and 50 kilometers from Noi Bai international airport. Thai Nguyen has an important role in the economic and cultural exchange between the mountainous midland and the Red River Delta through the road, railway and waterway systems with the root in Thai Nguyen city.
BRIEF INFORMATION ON THAI NGUYEN PROVINCE
Thai Nguyen province borders Ha Noi capital in the North, Vinh Phuc and Tuyen Quang provinces in the West, Lang Son and Bac Giang provinces in the East and Bac Kan province in the South. The provincial center, Thai Nguyen city, is 80 kilometers away from Ha Noi capital and 50 kilometers from Noi Bai international airport. Thai Nguyen has an important role in the economic and cultural exchange between the mountainous midland and the Red River Delta through the road, railway and waterway systems with the root in Thai Nguyen city.
Potential and development direction of Thai Nguyen province
Thai Nguyen has a total natural area of 3,541 square kilometers and a population of more than 1 million people with 8 ethnic groups namely Kinh, Tay, Nung, San Diu, Mong, San Chay, Hoa and Dao. Thai Nguyen province has 9 administrative units, comprising Thai Nguyen city, Song Cong town and 7 districts namely Pho Yen, Phu Binh, Dong Hy, Vo Nhai, Dai Tu, Dinh Hoa and Phu Luong.
Thai Nguyen has been considered as the economic and cultural center of the Northern ethnic groups. In the past 5 years, the province has maintained the average economic growth rate (GDP) of 7-9 %. Thai Nguyen is the third training center of the country with 5 universities, 16 colleges, high schools and vocational schools. The province also has regional polyclinics.
Thai Nguyen is the cultural center of the Northern mountainous provinces of the country. Thai Nguyen has historical monument ATK (Safety Zone) in Dinh Hoa district, archaeological relics of the Old Stone Age in Vo Nhai district and many art and architectural heritages in the province. The province has many natural landscapes such as Nui Coc lake, Phuong Hoang cave, Mo Ga stream…
The provincial infrastructure has been gradually constructed and the transportation system has been upgraded. At present, the project on constructing the bypass is under implementation, Quan Trieu bridge and the road linking national highways 1B and 3 have been constructed. Additionally, Ha Noi- Thai Nguyen high expressway expected to be constructed in 2006 will create favorable conditions for socio-economic development of the Northern mountainous provinces.
Satisfying Vietnamese standards, Thai Nguyen province has been recognized as city of level 2 by the Government. The water supplying system of Thai Nguyen city has been completed. Water factories in Song Cong town and other towns have been being upgraded. At present, the French-funded project on water drainage and waste water treatment is being implemented in Thai Nguyen city. The system of telecommunications has covered the whole province.
Thai Nguyen has many potential for socio-economic development that has not been made use of.
A. Potential for development
1. Agro-forestry potential
Thai Nguyen has been considered as the economic and cultural center of the Northern ethnic groups. In the past 5 years, the province has maintained the average economic growth rate (GDP) of 7-9 %. Thai Nguyen is the third training center of the country with 5 universities, 16 colleges, high schools and vocational schools. The province also has regional polyclinics.
Thai Nguyen is the cultural center of the Northern mountainous provinces of the country. Thai Nguyen has historical monument ATK (Safety Zone) in Dinh Hoa district, archaeological relics of the Old Stone Age in Vo Nhai district and many art and architectural heritages in the province. The province has many natural landscapes such as Nui Coc lake, Phuong Hoang cave, Mo Ga stream…
The provincial infrastructure has been gradually constructed and the transportation system has been upgraded. At present, the project on constructing the bypass is under implementation, Quan Trieu bridge and the road linking national highways 1B and 3 have been constructed. Additionally, Ha Noi- Thai Nguyen high expressway expected to be constructed in 2006 will create favorable conditions for socio-economic development of the Northern mountainous provinces.
Satisfying Vietnamese standards, Thai Nguyen province has been recognized as city of level 2 by the Government. The water supplying system of Thai Nguyen city has been completed. Water factories in Song Cong town and other towns have been being upgraded. At present, the French-funded project on water drainage and waste water treatment is being implemented in Thai Nguyen city. The system of telecommunications has covered the whole province.
Thai Nguyen has many potential for socio-economic development that has not been made use of.
A. Potential for development
1. Agro-forestry potential
With favourable land and climate conditions, Thai Nguyen has great potential for agro-forestry development. Thai Nguyen tea, especially Tan Cuong tea, has been famous in Viet Nam for a long time. The total tea area of the province is over 15,000 hectares, ranking second in the country, with more than 30 tea processing units scattered in the province. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has funded to make specialty tea with high quality and productivity. Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on processing high quality tea for domestic consumption and export.
Thai Nguyen has 73,383 hectares of natural forest and 40,000 hectares of artificial forest that has grown enough for cutting down, thus meeting the material demand of Luu Xa factory and being great potential for processing forestry products to high valuable goods.
At present, Thai Nguyen has 15,000 hectares of fruit trees, of which 8,000 hectares have been harvested. Thai Nguyen encourages projects on processing fruits, thus being a market for farmers.
The large area of land is a potential for commercial development of industrial crops, fruits and husbandry. Vinh Phuc Milk Processing Factory in Pho Yen district is promoting the milk cow feeding to serve its material demand. Thai Nguyen gives special encouragement to big projects on feeding cow and lean pig…
2. Minerals potential
Thai Nguyen has 73,383 hectares of natural forest and 40,000 hectares of artificial forest that has grown enough for cutting down, thus meeting the material demand of Luu Xa factory and being great potential for processing forestry products to high valuable goods.
At present, Thai Nguyen has 15,000 hectares of fruit trees, of which 8,000 hectares have been harvested. Thai Nguyen encourages projects on processing fruits, thus being a market for farmers.
The large area of land is a potential for commercial development of industrial crops, fruits and husbandry. Vinh Phuc Milk Processing Factory in Pho Yen district is promoting the milk cow feeding to serve its material demand. Thai Nguyen gives special encouragement to big projects on feeding cow and lean pig…
2. Minerals potential
Thai Nguyen has many kinds of minerals. In general, the plentiful mineral resources are a great competitive advantage of the province in the development of metallurgy, minerals exploiting… Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on intensive processing minerals.
The province has a great deposit of coal, ranking second in the country, with over 15 million tons of fat coal and 90 million tons of pit coal.
Iron ore has been exploited for steel making of Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation. Titanium has a reserves of 18 million tons.
Non-ferrous metals include lead, zinc, tungsten, gold, copper, mercury… At present, tin has been exploited for export. Tungsten mine in Dai Tu district has been explored by foreign company with world-ranking reserves and the project on exploiting and processing minerals with total investment capital of USD 147 million has been issued with investment license by the Government.
Construction material minerals are a great potential for producing cement, paving stones and construction materials.
3. Tourism potential
The province has a great deposit of coal, ranking second in the country, with over 15 million tons of fat coal and 90 million tons of pit coal.
Iron ore has been exploited for steel making of Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation. Titanium has a reserves of 18 million tons.
Non-ferrous metals include lead, zinc, tungsten, gold, copper, mercury… At present, tin has been exploited for export. Tungsten mine in Dai Tu district has been explored by foreign company with world-ranking reserves and the project on exploiting and processing minerals with total investment capital of USD 147 million has been issued with investment license by the Government.
Construction material minerals are a great potential for producing cement, paving stones and construction materials.
3. Tourism potential
- Thai Nguyen has main tourism areas as follows:
+ Nui Coc tourism area has been invested. At present, the province is constructing lakeside roads. Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on enlarging the tourism area.
+ Phuong Hoang cave, Mo Ga stream tourism area is in Vo Nhai district, 45 kilometers away from Thai Nguyen city. The area is in need of investment capital for constructing hanging cable, hotel and entertainment facilities.
+ ATK historical relic: the province is investing to recreate the natural scene as at the time president Ho Chi Minh lived and worked there. Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on eco-tourism in Khuon Tat waterfall.
+ Cultural museum of Vietnamese ethnic groups (in Thai Nguyen city) and art and architectural works such as Duom Temple (Phu Luong district), Hang Pagoda (Dong Hy district), Phu Lien Pagoda, Xuong Rong Temple and Doi Can Temple (Thai Nguyen city).
- Thai Nguyen province has conditions for establishing tourism routes to neighbouring provinces such as Tan Trao banyan tree (Tuyen Quang province); Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan province); Pac Bo (Cao Bang); Tam Thanh and Nhi Thanh Caves and Mau Son mountain (Lang Son); Tam Dao mountain- Dai Lai Lake (Vinh Phuc); Hung Temple (Phu Tho); Con Son, Yen Tu mountain and Kiep Bac Temple (Hai Duong).
- The province has great tourism potential not well developed and it is attracting investment capital to this industry, including hotels with high quality services.
4. Potential of human resources
- Thai Nguyen has 5 universities namely Industrial Technical University, Medical University, Teacher’s Training University, University of Economics and Business Management and University of Agriculture and Forestry. Additionally, the province has 16 colleges, high schools and vocational schools, thus meeting the demand of scientific and technical staff and skilled workers of not only Thai Nguyen province but also of other provinces.
- People of labour age: about 550,000 people join the labour age, thus being a great advantage of the province in ensuring labour resources for the provincial economic development.
B. Development direction
Thai Nguyen province is trying to change its economic structure from “Agriculture- Industry- Services” to “Industry- Services - Agriculture” in 2005 and “Industry- Services- Agriculture” in 2010.
Thai Nguyen province has set out development orientations of some key economic industries as follows:
Development orientation of agro-forestry till 2010
1. Development orientation of agro-forestry till 2010
- Promoting the internal transition of agriculture through key programs: Food and Foodstuff Program, Industrial Crops and Fruit Trees Program, Forest Protection Program and Forestation Program.
- Developing industry processing agro-forestry products, especially industry processing and exporting tea, fruits and husbandry products.
2. Development orientation of industry till 2010
- Steel and Iron industrial zone: Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation produces steel from iron ore and meet part of the domestic demand on construction steel and mechanical steel. In 2001, the Corporation was intensively invested and it is further investing to improve the quality of steel products.
- Song Cong industrial zone: the zone has projects located in 32 hectares in phase 1 and is enlarging 37 hectares after 2 years of infrastructure development and investment attraction as well (the zone has 17 projects with total investment capital of VND 545 billion and USD 4.8 million).
- La Hien industrial zone: the zone has planning for development of construction materials. The project on constructing Cement Factory with capacity of 1.4 million tons/year has been started in Quang Son commune, Dong Hy district. The construction of this factory and its accessory services and industrial facilities in the factory will establish La Hien construction material industrial zone in the future.
- In addition to large-scaled industrial zones, the province has planned 25 small industrial zones with a total area of 450 hectares in the provincial districts, city and town to make site for new factories. These zones has dynamic investment mechanism and management.
- With the encouragement given to industrial development, Thai Nguyen province always expect industrial projects locating inside and outside the established industrial zones. Site clearance has been promoted as with project on constructing Milk Factory, Tuynel Brick Factory, factory producing medical tools for export in Pho Yen district.
C. Investment attracting policies:
- In order to create most favourable conditions for investors, the province has been implementing the project “Improving investment environment”, continuing the administrative reform with the mechanism “one door, one coordinating body” in the provincial bodies. At present, the mechanism “one door” has been officially implemented in the investment issuing body following the instruction of the Government.
- The province has promulgated its domestic investment preferential policies and foreign investment preferential and encouragement policies.
With great potential and investment opportunities and more and more favourable investment conditions, Thai Nguyen will have many opportunities of cooperating with domestic and foreign investors, making contribution to the development of the province.
+ Nui Coc tourism area has been invested. At present, the province is constructing lakeside roads. Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on enlarging the tourism area.
+ Phuong Hoang cave, Mo Ga stream tourism area is in Vo Nhai district, 45 kilometers away from Thai Nguyen city. The area is in need of investment capital for constructing hanging cable, hotel and entertainment facilities.
+ ATK historical relic: the province is investing to recreate the natural scene as at the time president Ho Chi Minh lived and worked there. Thai Nguyen province encourages projects on eco-tourism in Khuon Tat waterfall.
+ Cultural museum of Vietnamese ethnic groups (in Thai Nguyen city) and art and architectural works such as Duom Temple (Phu Luong district), Hang Pagoda (Dong Hy district), Phu Lien Pagoda, Xuong Rong Temple and Doi Can Temple (Thai Nguyen city).
- Thai Nguyen province has conditions for establishing tourism routes to neighbouring provinces such as Tan Trao banyan tree (Tuyen Quang province); Ba Be Lake (Bac Kan province); Pac Bo (Cao Bang); Tam Thanh and Nhi Thanh Caves and Mau Son mountain (Lang Son); Tam Dao mountain- Dai Lai Lake (Vinh Phuc); Hung Temple (Phu Tho); Con Son, Yen Tu mountain and Kiep Bac Temple (Hai Duong).
- The province has great tourism potential not well developed and it is attracting investment capital to this industry, including hotels with high quality services.
4. Potential of human resources
- Thai Nguyen has 5 universities namely Industrial Technical University, Medical University, Teacher’s Training University, University of Economics and Business Management and University of Agriculture and Forestry. Additionally, the province has 16 colleges, high schools and vocational schools, thus meeting the demand of scientific and technical staff and skilled workers of not only Thai Nguyen province but also of other provinces.
- People of labour age: about 550,000 people join the labour age, thus being a great advantage of the province in ensuring labour resources for the provincial economic development.
B. Development direction
Thai Nguyen province is trying to change its economic structure from “Agriculture- Industry- Services” to “Industry- Services - Agriculture” in 2005 and “Industry- Services- Agriculture” in 2010.
Thai Nguyen province has set out development orientations of some key economic industries as follows:
Development orientation of agro-forestry till 2010
1. Development orientation of agro-forestry till 2010
- Promoting the internal transition of agriculture through key programs: Food and Foodstuff Program, Industrial Crops and Fruit Trees Program, Forest Protection Program and Forestation Program.
- Developing industry processing agro-forestry products, especially industry processing and exporting tea, fruits and husbandry products.
2. Development orientation of industry till 2010
- Steel and Iron industrial zone: Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Corporation produces steel from iron ore and meet part of the domestic demand on construction steel and mechanical steel. In 2001, the Corporation was intensively invested and it is further investing to improve the quality of steel products.
- Song Cong industrial zone: the zone has projects located in 32 hectares in phase 1 and is enlarging 37 hectares after 2 years of infrastructure development and investment attraction as well (the zone has 17 projects with total investment capital of VND 545 billion and USD 4.8 million).
- La Hien industrial zone: the zone has planning for development of construction materials. The project on constructing Cement Factory with capacity of 1.4 million tons/year has been started in Quang Son commune, Dong Hy district. The construction of this factory and its accessory services and industrial facilities in the factory will establish La Hien construction material industrial zone in the future.
- In addition to large-scaled industrial zones, the province has planned 25 small industrial zones with a total area of 450 hectares in the provincial districts, city and town to make site for new factories. These zones has dynamic investment mechanism and management.
- With the encouragement given to industrial development, Thai Nguyen province always expect industrial projects locating inside and outside the established industrial zones. Site clearance has been promoted as with project on constructing Milk Factory, Tuynel Brick Factory, factory producing medical tools for export in Pho Yen district.
C. Investment attracting policies:
- In order to create most favourable conditions for investors, the province has been implementing the project “Improving investment environment”, continuing the administrative reform with the mechanism “one door, one coordinating body” in the provincial bodies. At present, the mechanism “one door” has been officially implemented in the investment issuing body following the instruction of the Government.
- The province has promulgated its domestic investment preferential policies and foreign investment preferential and encouragement policies.
With great potential and investment opportunities and more and more favourable investment conditions, Thai Nguyen will have many opportunities of cooperating with domestic and foreign investors, making contribution to the development of the province.
Yen Bai
The Yen Bai mutiny was an uprising on February 10, 1930 by Vietnamese soldiers in the French colonial army's garrison in Yen Bai in February 1930, sponsored by the Viet Nam Quoc Dan Dang (VNQDD), the Vietnamese Nationalist Party. The attack was the largest disturbance against the colonisation of Vietnam since the Can Vuong monarchist movement of the late 19th century. The aim of the revolt was to inspire a wider uprising among the general populace in an attempt to overthrow the colonial authority. The VNQDD had previously attempted to engage in clandestine activities to undermine French rule, but increasing French scrutiny on their activities led to their leadership group taking the risk of staging a large scale military attack in the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam.
Shortly after midnight on February 10, Vietnamese soldiers within the Yen Bai garrison, some of whom were VNQDD members, turned on their French superiors with assistance from civilian VNQDD members who invaded the camp from the outside. The mutiny failed within 24 hours when the majority of the Vietnamese soldiers in the garrison refused to participate and remained loyal to the colonial army. Further sporadic attacks occurred across the Delta region, with little impact. French retribution to the attack was swift and decisive. The main leaders of the VNQDD were arrested, tried and put to death, effectively ending the military threat of what was previously the leading Vietnamese nationalist revolutionary organisation.
The civilian judicial crackdown was followed by sweeping reforms with respect to the using of Vietnamese soldiers in the French colonial army. French trust in the Vietnamese soldiers' loyalty as colonised subjects who were simultaneously enforcers of colonial order had never been high, and the mutiny resulted in increased safeguards against Vietnamese soldiers in an attempt to prevent future incidents. Around 80% of the Vietnamese soldiers in Tonkin were transferred to other districts in order to disrupt any secret plots that may have been in progress, and some soldiers who had returned from foreign service were discharged in the fear that their overseas experiences made them less likely to accept colonial subjugation. The internal reform saw the rules for expelling Vietnamese soldiers from the army were liberalised and an inquiry into military intelligence resulted in closer cooperation between military intelligence and their French colonial civilian counterparts, while French officers were ordered to improve their Vietnamese language skills. The French authorities decreed that the proportion of ethnic Vietnamese soldiers was too high and reduced the proportion of Vietnamese by replacing them with European, Cambodian, Lao and ethnic minority Montagnard people.
Shortly after midnight on February 10, Vietnamese soldiers within the Yen Bai garrison, some of whom were VNQDD members, turned on their French superiors with assistance from civilian VNQDD members who invaded the camp from the outside. The mutiny failed within 24 hours when the majority of the Vietnamese soldiers in the garrison refused to participate and remained loyal to the colonial army. Further sporadic attacks occurred across the Delta region, with little impact. French retribution to the attack was swift and decisive. The main leaders of the VNQDD were arrested, tried and put to death, effectively ending the military threat of what was previously the leading Vietnamese nationalist revolutionary organisation.
The civilian judicial crackdown was followed by sweeping reforms with respect to the using of Vietnamese soldiers in the French colonial army. French trust in the Vietnamese soldiers' loyalty as colonised subjects who were simultaneously enforcers of colonial order had never been high, and the mutiny resulted in increased safeguards against Vietnamese soldiers in an attempt to prevent future incidents. Around 80% of the Vietnamese soldiers in Tonkin were transferred to other districts in order to disrupt any secret plots that may have been in progress, and some soldiers who had returned from foreign service were discharged in the fear that their overseas experiences made them less likely to accept colonial subjugation. The internal reform saw the rules for expelling Vietnamese soldiers from the army were liberalised and an inquiry into military intelligence resulted in closer cooperation between military intelligence and their French colonial civilian counterparts, while French officers were ordered to improve their Vietnamese language skills. The French authorities decreed that the proportion of ethnic Vietnamese soldiers was too high and reduced the proportion of Vietnamese by replacing them with European, Cambodian, Lao and ethnic minority Montagnard people.
Ha Tay
Hatay is a province of southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast, with Syria to the south and east.
46% of the land is mountain, 33% plain and 20% plateau and hillside. The most prominent feature is the north-south leading Nur Mountains and the highest peak is Mığırtepe (2240m), other peaks include Ziyaret dağı and Keldağ (Jebel Akra or Casius) at 1739 m. The folds of land that make up the landscape of the province were formed as the land masses of Arabian-Nubian Shield and Anatolia have pushed into each other, meeting here in Hatay, a classic example of the Horst-graben formation. The Orontes River rises in the Bekaa Valley in K Lebanon and runs through Syria and Hatay and into the Mediterranean at its delta in Samandağ. There was a lake in the plain of Amik but this was drained in the 1970s, and today Amik is now the largest of the plains that are important centres of agricultural production in Hatay. The climate of Hatay is typical of the Mediterranean, with warm wet winters and hot, dry summers. The mountain areas inland are drier than the coast. There are some mineral deposits, Iskenderun is home to Turkey's largest iron and steel plant, and the district of Yayladağı produces a colourful marble called the Rose of Hatay.
The administrative capital is Antakya (Antioch), while the largest city in the province is the port city of İskenderun (Alexandretta). There are border crossing points with Syria in the district of Yayladağı and at Cilvegözü in the district of Reyhanlı.Hatay is one of the most cosmopolitan provinces of Turkey, home to communities of various races and religions including Turks, Arabs and Armenians, Sunni and Alevi Muslims and Christians of many demoninations. The village of "Vakıflıköy" in the district of Samandağ is Turkey's last remaining rural Armenian community while Arabs form the majority in three districts out of the twelve in Hatay: Samandağ (Suwaidiyyah) (Alawi), Altınözü (Qusair) and Reyhanlı (Rihaniyyah) (Sunni). Unlike most Mediterranean provinces Hatay has not experienced mass immigration from other parts of Turkey in recent decades and has therefore preserved much of its traditional culture, for example Arabic is still widely spoken in the province. [1] To celebrate this cultural mix, in 2005 "Hatay Meeting of Civilisations" congress was organised by Dr Aydın Bozkurt of Mustafa Kemal University and his "Hatay Association for the Protection of Universal Values".[2]Hatay is warm enough to grow tropical crops such as sweet potato and sugar cane, and these are used in the local cuisine, along with other local specialities including a type of cucumber/squash called kitte. Well-known dishes of Hatay include the syrupy-pastry künefe, squash cooked in onions and tomato paste (sıhılmahsi}, the aubergine and yoghurt paste (Baba ghanoush), and the chick-pea paste hummus as well as dishes such as kebab which are found throughout Turkey. In general the people of Hatay produce lots of spicy dishes including the walnut and spice paste muhammara), the spicy köfte called oruk, the thyme and parsley paste Za'atar and the spicy sun-dried cheese called Surke. Finally syrup of pomegranate is a popular salad dressing particular to this area.Mustafa Kemal University is one of Turkey's newer tertiary institutions, founded in Antakya in 1992.
Cao Bang
Cao Bang Province is the country's northern borderland known since the era of th King An Duong Vuong (the 2nd century BC). It has a long-standing historical and cultural tradition. Its traditional history is closely linked with that of the country since the early time of national establishment and protection. The first struggle of the Au Lac people, including the Cao Bang inhabitants, led by the King against the Qin invaders won a great victory.In 180 BC, after a big battle in Cao Bang against the invasion of Trieu Da, our country was ruled by various northern feudal dynasties until 938. Through a long period against foreign rule and invasions, the people of different ethnic groups in Cao Bang and throughout the country as well created a brilliant history of construction and protection.
In the anti-French resistance for national salvation and independence, Cao Bang became an important cradle of Vietnamese revolution. Since the early 20th century, around 1925-1926, some anti-French associations of various ethnic groups headed by Hoang Dinh Giong were founded in Cao Bang.After the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam on 3rd February 1930, the Province's first Party cell of three members came into being on 1st April 1930; Mr. Hoang Nhu was the secretary. This event marked the development of revolutionary movement in Cao Bang.In 1933, Le Hong Phong, member of the Commission of the International Communism came to Cao Bang from where he directly guided the Party cells at home. In 1935, Hoang Van Non was selected as the official delegate of the Communist Party of Indochina to attend the Seventh International Communist Congress held in the USSR. After studying in the USSR, he came back home and became the Secretary of the Bac Ky (Tonkin) Party Committee.
At the First Plenum of the Communist Party of Indochina held in Macau (China), Hoang Dinh Giong became a member of the Central Party Committee. The revolution in Cao Bang strongly developed during the period 1936-1939.In December 1940, Nguyen Ai Quoc met Hoang Van Thu and 40 cadres of Cao Bang in Zhengxi (China) to direct the revolution enter a new stage. He decided to choose Cao Bang as the revolutionary base. He also dispatched Vu Anh, Le Quang Ba, and Hoang Sam to Ha Quang district to found the revolutionary headquarters.On 28th January 1941, Nguyen Ai Quoc crossed the milestone No 108 to enter Pac Bo village (Truong Ha commune, Ha Quang district, Cao Bang). On behalf of the people of the whole country, Cao Bang's Party cell received him right in the traditional Tet holiday after his 30-year trip to find the way for national salvation. Nguyen Ai Quoc lived and worked in Coc Bocave in very harsh conditions:
On the stone table by the Le Nin Spring, Nguyen Ai Quoc translated the History of the USSR Communist Party into Vietnamese and wrote Our Country's History in plain verse. From 10th to 19th May 1941, in Khuoi Num Hut (Pac Bo), he presided over the Eighth Plenum of the Central Party Committee, which set up many policies and lines to promote national salvation..
Under the direct leadership of Nguyen Ai Quoc, between June and August 1941, Cao Bang's Party cell dispatched 70 cadres to attend the military courses abroad. These were the first military seeds of the Cao B"ng (later Cao-Bac-Lang) Revolutionary Base and the Liberated Zone in the August 1945 Revolution.On 22 December 1944, in the Tran Hung Dao Forest (Nguyen Binh district), the Vietnamese Propaganda and Liberation Army (the predecessors of the Vietnam People's Army) was founded. At first, it consisted of 34 soldiers commanded by Vo Nguyen Giap. Its first victories over Phay Khut and Na Ngan posts started the glorious history of the Vietnam People's Army later.After the August 1945 Revolution, to implement the instructions of the Central Party Committee and President Ho Chi Minh, Cao Bang's Party cell and people of different ethnic groups made great efforts to struggle against the invasion plot of Chiang Kaishek and his henchmen, eradicate local bandits and reactionaries, strengthen the revolutionary government of all echelons, and initiate the movement of production promotion. On 16th September 1950, Cao Bang's people and army opened the Border Campaign led by Vo Nguyen Giap. President Ho Chi Minh directly came to supervise the Dong Khe Front. The 1950 Border Campaign won victory, changing the complexion of the anti-French resistance. On 3rd October 1950, Cao Bang was completely liberated.During the following decades, bringing into play the traditions of patriotism and revolutionary struggle, the Cao Bang people always remained loyal to the Party by strengthening revolutionary government, promoting manufacture, enhancing its supports to the South in the struggle for national salvation and unification and socialist construction. Cao Bang's history is always closely connected to that of the Vietnamese nation along the path chosen by our Party and President Ho Chi Minh.
From www.caobang.gov.vn
Sunday, 20 July 2008
HCM Tour
An Dong Market
This three-story market in District 5 features some modern architecture than Ben Thanh or Binh Tay markets, including escalators. It is both a retail and wholesale market.
The basement is reserved for processed and packaged foods and small eateries that sell Vietnamese dishes such as noodle soup, rice and sweet soup. On the first floor are jewelry, footwear, fabrics, eyewear and hat stalls. The second floor features garments and the third has lacquer ware, woodwork and handicrafts. Jackets and knitwear are also available on this floor.
• Tips for travelers:
Pros: Many shopkeepers can speak Chinese. Many items have price tags. Cons: There are fewer people who can speak English at An Dong than at Ben Thanh
• How to get there
Take the Ben Thanh-Dam Sen bus rout. It departs at the central bus station just cross the south gate of Ben Thanh Market. Get off on An Duong Vuong Street in District 5 and walk to the market just a few blocks away. The bus route operates from 5a.m. to 6:45 p.m. at intervals of 15 minutes.
A taxi from Ben Thanh to An Dong costs about VND28,OOO.
This three-story market in District 5 features some modern architecture than Ben Thanh or Binh Tay markets, including escalators. It is both a retail and wholesale market.
The basement is reserved for processed and packaged foods and small eateries that sell Vietnamese dishes such as noodle soup, rice and sweet soup. On the first floor are jewelry, footwear, fabrics, eyewear and hat stalls. The second floor features garments and the third has lacquer ware, woodwork and handicrafts. Jackets and knitwear are also available on this floor.
• Tips for travelers:
Pros: Many shopkeepers can speak Chinese. Many items have price tags. Cons: There are fewer people who can speak English at An Dong than at Ben Thanh
• How to get there
Take the Ben Thanh-Dam Sen bus rout. It departs at the central bus station just cross the south gate of Ben Thanh Market. Get off on An Duong Vuong Street in District 5 and walk to the market just a few blocks away. The bus route operates from 5a.m. to 6:45 p.m. at intervals of 15 minutes.
A taxi from Ben Thanh to An Dong costs about VND28,OOO.
History of the ao dai
Even now, nobody is sure of the true origin of the ao dai. Yet, looking back to history, the image of the graceful two – flapped ao dai in the breeze can be seen in images on the surfaces of the historical Ngoc Lu kettledrum carved a few thousand years ago.
It is assumed that in the early 18th century women of King Nationality wore skirts like today’s ethnic minority women. In 1744, Lord Vu Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty was assigned to revise the dress of Vietnamese ladies. He was the one who made the first design of the ao dai under certain influences of Muong patterns and Chinese versions. Later on, the ao tu than (four – flapped dress) was selected as the official national dress for Vietnamese ladies.
Ao dai is a two-piece garment made of cloth, it is full-length and worn over loose silk trousers that brush the floor. It flatters every figure for those who wear it. The Long Dress splits into two flaps, a front and back panel from the waist down, made comfortable and easy to move in. Ao Dai at that time was wider and simpler than that of today.
Today, the Ao dai length is shorter than that in the past; it is only below the knee. Women wear Ao dai in different colors without the same patterns and designs. The colors of Ao Dai show us to know the age and the status of the wearer. Schoolgirls usually wear white Long Dress, the color of white symbolizes their purity.
There is also a similar costume for men and is also called “Ao Dai,” but the man’s dress is shorter, just at knee length, and more loose-fitting. Men wear it less than women; they usually wear it on ceremonial occasions such as weddings or funerals.
The Ao Dai today has been becoming more and more popular. There are plentiful of designs, materials, and colors. Velvet, silk, satin, embroidered, painted or printed with flowers pattern have been creating more and more exquisite and elegant. Therefore, it has become standard outfit for many office workers and hotel staff. Moreover, it has now been the favored dress for most formal occasions.
To the whole Vietnamese people, it has been always synonymous with their grace and beauty. Over many years in Vietnam’s history, it still kept its symbolism and image in the hearts of all Vietnamese. The Ao Dai has been perfected step by step to overcome all ages and time to reach with all people not only in our country but also in the world. To Vietnamese people, rich or poor, old or young, the Ao Dai are always their favorite choice in most special occasions.
It is assumed that in the early 18th century women of King Nationality wore skirts like today’s ethnic minority women. In 1744, Lord Vu Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty was assigned to revise the dress of Vietnamese ladies. He was the one who made the first design of the ao dai under certain influences of Muong patterns and Chinese versions. Later on, the ao tu than (four – flapped dress) was selected as the official national dress for Vietnamese ladies.
Ao dai is a two-piece garment made of cloth, it is full-length and worn over loose silk trousers that brush the floor. It flatters every figure for those who wear it. The Long Dress splits into two flaps, a front and back panel from the waist down, made comfortable and easy to move in. Ao Dai at that time was wider and simpler than that of today.
Today, the Ao dai length is shorter than that in the past; it is only below the knee. Women wear Ao dai in different colors without the same patterns and designs. The colors of Ao Dai show us to know the age and the status of the wearer. Schoolgirls usually wear white Long Dress, the color of white symbolizes their purity.
There is also a similar costume for men and is also called “Ao Dai,” but the man’s dress is shorter, just at knee length, and more loose-fitting. Men wear it less than women; they usually wear it on ceremonial occasions such as weddings or funerals.
The Ao Dai today has been becoming more and more popular. There are plentiful of designs, materials, and colors. Velvet, silk, satin, embroidered, painted or printed with flowers pattern have been creating more and more exquisite and elegant. Therefore, it has become standard outfit for many office workers and hotel staff. Moreover, it has now been the favored dress for most formal occasions.
To the whole Vietnamese people, it has been always synonymous with their grace and beauty. Over many years in Vietnam’s history, it still kept its symbolism and image in the hearts of all Vietnamese. The Ao Dai has been perfected step by step to overcome all ages and time to reach with all people not only in our country but also in the world. To Vietnamese people, rich or poor, old or young, the Ao Dai are always their favorite choice in most special occasions.
Apocalypse Now2C Thi Sach, Dist. 1. Tel: 8241463.One of the best bars in town. Tip: Carefully selected music not usually found in other bars or cafes.Backpacker streetsBach Dang Ice Cream
26B Le Loi Street, Dist.1. Tel: 8257140.A favorite place of young Saigonese. At night, this ice cream shop of several stories is often full. Tip: At night, watching Le Loi Street, one of the main streets of Saigon, is an experience one should try.
Ben Duoc TempleNear Cu Chi Tunnel, Ben Duoc Temple was built in 1993 to commemorate war martyrs who died fighting for Vietnam's independence.
Ben Thanh MarketThis "all-in-one" market is in the center of the city. Tip: A must-visit place. You need no address of Ben Thanh Market. Call a cab and ask the driver to take you to Cho Ben Thanh.
Ben Thanh Tourist4-6 Ho Huan Nghiep St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8238962One of the top-ten tour operators in Vietnam
Binh Quoi Tourist Village 1147 Binh Quoi St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8841195.On Thanh Da peninsula, the tourist village is like a huge garden with lawns and trees. Tip: A tourist village beside the Saigon River.
Binh Tay MarketBinh Tay Market on Thap Muoi Street in District 6 is the largest wholesale market in town.
Blue Ginger37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8298676A restaurant of Vietnamese cuisine tourists shouldn't miss. Tip: The banh cuon tom ap chao (pan-fried shrimp scallion ravioli) is a must.
Bodhi Tree Restaurant175/6 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8369545.This restaurant offers a menu of 150 vegetarian dishes from Vietnam, India, Mexico and Italy. Tip: Dishes are cooked when ordered.
Bonsai 1 cruise ship1147 Binh Quoi St., Binh Thanh Dist., Tel: 8991833.A wooden cruise ship on the Saigon River, the Bonsai 1 is 40m long, 9m wide, and capable of accommodating 120 people. Tip: Cozy atmosphere.Brodard Restaurant11 Nguyen Thiep St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8275891.A favorite coffee shop of the Saigonese.
Ca keo hotpot streetCa keo is a fish about 10cm long. Grilled ca keo fish served with tamarind fish sauce is a specialty. But it is ca keo hotpot that makes this a special street in HCM City. Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street and its environs in District 1 are the ca keo hotpot street. The hotpot has a sour taste, and is served with a lot of vegetables and rice vermicelli. Tip: How to eat a ca keo fish from the hotpot: Put the entire stewed fish in your mouth with the tail in first. Hold the fish with your lips and pull the fish out by its head. The meat of the fish will remain in your mouth while the head and the backbone is pulled out.
Caravelle Hotel
19 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8234999No other five-star hotels in town have a history comparable to that of the Caravelle. The hotel is also the first hotel to win The Saigon Times FDI Top 40 Award for foreign investors. Tip: Saigon Saigon Bar is a must.
Carving street, a section of Cong Hoa Street in Tan Binh District
Cha ca La Vong - A Special Dish A specialty of Hanoi, cha ca La Vong (La Vong fish paste) is now available in HCM City. The place that serves it is Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant.The restaurant opened in May, 2003, and it has been serving only the dish besides drinks. With 20 tables, it can serve 120 customers at the same time. "At present, though not much advertising has been done for the dish, about 10% of our customers are foreigners," says Doan Cong Thanh, the owner. He says the fish paste was invented by his great-great grandparents more than a century ago. It is made of catfish or snakehead fish fillets. They are spiced and broiled, and are eaten with rice vermicelli or banh da (northern-style rice paper) and fermented shrimp paste, fried peanuts, pickled spring onion bulbs, and aromatic herbs. The eatery belongs to his family's three-restaurant chain and it is the only branch in the South. The main restaurant is also the oldest restaurant in Vietnam (in operation for 133 years), located at 14 Cha Ca St., Hanoi. The La Vong fish paste is the only dish which is used to name an ancient street in Hanoi. In particular, it has been introduced in the website of the U.S. television station MSNBC as one of the 10 places that everybody should visit before they die.Address: 31 Nguyen Thi Dieu St., Dist. 1, HCM CityTel: 9305674
Com Nieu Saigon Restaurant6 C Tu Xuong St., Dist. 3. Tel: 9326388.Tip: Rice cooked in clay pots.
Conical hatOne of the symbols of Vietnam. In HCM City, non la is still worn by street traders. It remains a favorite item for foreign tourists because it is made from natural materials.
Continental Hotel132 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8299201.Built in 1880, Continental is the oldest hotel in HCM City and Vietnam. Tip: The hotel welcomed French writer Andre Malraux, Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore and British writer Graham Greene.
Cruise ships on the Saigon River at night
Cu Chi Tunnel in Cu Chi DistrictOnce the headquarters of the armed forces in Saigon-Gia Dinh, Cu Chi Tunnel is a system of 200km of tunnels between 2.5m and 12m underground. Tip: Tourists can shoot real guns.
D.A.N.19 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8247144.A must-see jewelry shop in downtown HCM City.Dam Sen Park3 Hoa Binh St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8841195.Dam Sen is one of the recreational parks most familiar to Saigonese. Tip: It has a water park inside.Draft beerIn HCM City bia hoi or draft beer is often served in sidewalk eateries. Bia hoi is often served with grilled dried squid or groundnuts. Tip: Bia hoi is inexpensive beer and bia hoi eateries are where people make friends easily.Fashion streetFootwear streets
General Le Van Duyet Temple1 bis Phan Dang Luu St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8412517.This is the temple of Le Van Duyet, a high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyen Dynasty and governor of Gia Dinh, the former name of Saigon-Gia Dinh area, now HCM City.
Giac Lam Pagoda118 Lac Long Quan St, Tan Binh Dist. Tel: 8642012.The oldest pagoda in HCM City.
Givral Restaurant169 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292747.One of the best-loved coffee shops in Saigon.
HCM City's Wall Street
Ho Chi Minh Museum1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Dist. 4 Tel: 8299749.Also called Ben Nha Rong, the building used to be the office of the French maritime transport firm Messageries Maritimes. It was at this place that Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became Uncle Ho, embarked on the Latouche Treville to go abroad to begin the struggle for Vietnam's independence. The museum displays materials about President Ho's activities.Ho Chi Minh City History Museum2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St., Dist. 1, Tel: 9100167.One of the oldest museums in the city, the museum displays exhibits on Vietnam's history and on some themes such as antiques, the Phu Nam culture, Cham arts and Mekong Delta arts.
Ho Chi Minh Operation Museum2 Le Duan St. Tel: 8229387.
Hoa Vien Brauhaus28 bis Mac Dinh Chi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8290585.A cozy place to enjoy draft beer from Pilsen, the Czech Republic, and Eastern European dishes.
Kuan Yu's Temple678 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 5. Tel: 8538775.Not far from the Lady's Temple is a temple built by the local Trieu Chau association to worship Quan Vu, or Quan Cong (Kuan Yu). It is called Nghia An Hoi Quan or Mieu Ong.Lady's Temple710 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 5. Tel: 8555322.Built by the local Guangdong community in the 19th century to worship the goddess of the sea, this temple attracts the largest turnout in Cho Lon, the Chinese area of HCM City. The temple has been renovated by Saigontourist to make it more attractive. Tip: Sophisticated ceramic sculpture on the roof of the temple.
Le Cong Kieu Antique street
Lion draft beer11-13 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8238514.
Mangosteen Restaurant in Bong Sen Hotel117-123 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1 .Tel: 8291516.
Mrs. Ca Doi Restaurant11 Ton That Thiep St., Dist. 1.One of the oldest restaurants in Saigon, the 50-year-old restaurant was set up by a northern woman. The Menu is of the daily dishes of Vietnamese families. Tip: The restaurant has a northern taste, but its diners are people from all over Vietnam plus foreigners.
Nhu Lan bread with ham50, 68 Ham Nghi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292970.Set up in 1968, Nhu Lan was first on Gia Long Street, now Ly Tu Trong, before being moved to Ham Nghi Street. Aside from ready-to-eat foods, Nhu Lan also offer dishes from the three regions of Vietnam. Tip: Vietnamese bread with ham is Nhu Lan specialty.
Nightclub quarter
Notre Dame Cathedral
Quang Truong Cong Xa Paris, Dist. 1. Tel: 8294822.Built by the French in 1877, this cathedral, the best known in Saigon, has neo-Romanesque architecture and two towers 57m high. In front of it is a statue of the Virgin Mary. Tip: Some ceremonies are in English.
Oriental medicine streetPanorama 3337 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1. Tel: 9100493.The coffee shop is at the top of HCM City and Vietnam's tallest building, where you can watch the city's skyline, including its most famous structures and the winding Saigon River. Tip: There is a terrace at Panorama 33 where you can inhale fresh air high in the sky.Pedestrian street
Pho 2000 (pho soup restaurant)1-3 Phan Chu Trinh, St.1. Tel: 8222788.
Pho 24 (pho soup restaurant)67 Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8228360.
Phu Thinh SouvernirsBamboo and rattan products.23/2A Tran Nao St., Dist. 2. Tel: 8875736.
Phu Tho Horse Race StadiumLe Dai Hanh St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8662644.
Reunification Palace133 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8223652.On this site the former palace of the French governor of Indochina was built in 1868 and became the presidential palace of South Vietnam when Ngo Dinh Diem came to power in 1950s. After being damaged by bombs during a coup attempt in early 1960s, the palace was rebuilt. In early 1975, Nguyen Thanh Trung, a revolutionary secret agent who was a Saigon regime fighter pilot dropped bombs on the palace. On April 30, 1975, tanks of the liberation army crashed through the main gate of the palace, ending the 20-year war for Vietnam's reunification.
Rex Hotel141 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292185.One of the best known hotels of HCM City. Tip: From Rex's rooftop Garden Bar, which was voted by Newsweek as one of the best in Asia, tourists can see busy streets thrivers. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Saigontourist Department Store35bis-45 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8225328.One of the most modern shopping center in town.
Saigontourist Travel Service49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8298914.One of the most reliable tour operators in Vietnam.
Saigon Water Park
About 10km from downtown, Saigon Water Park was the first modern water park in HCM City and Vietnam.
SakuraA restaurant run by a Japanese lady with a mentally-handicapped staff.4 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1.QI Saigon Spa253 Nguyen Van Troi St., Phu Nhuan Dist. Tel: 8449222
Salted fish hotpotA southern specialty cooked with salted fish and eaten with a lot of vegetables. Rice vermicelli is put into a bowl, and beef, fish, shrimp and squid is put into a hotpot. Tip: A bowl of lau mam must be served with a lot of vegetables.
Sheraton Hotel Saigon88 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8272828.The five-star of the five-star hotels in Saigon.
Southern BBQ villageThese restaurants, often on large roofed space, are becoming more popular. Besides, grilled dishes, other southern foods are served. You can find one at 9 Tang Bat Ho Street in District 5 (Tel: 8554024).
Soya milkA wonderful beverage because it is nutritious and cheap and available everywhere.
Squid Rice PorridgeA popular dish, the chao muc is delicious. Dried squid is grilled and torn into small pieces and then cooked with rice. Tip: Thanh Son eatery at 144 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3 (Tel: 8297554), is a good place to visit.
Street of ornamental fishA section of Nguyen Thong Street, District 3. One can find everything for an aquarium.
Sugarcane juice, sold everywhere.
Suoi Tien ParkTan Phu, Dist. 9. Tel: 8964705.For provincial visitors to HCM City, Suoi Tien is a must-see place. Tip: Huge statues of the kings of the Hung Dynasty, the founders of Vietnam.
Tao Dan Park on Truong Dinh Street in District 1.The park resembles a part of a jungle in the middle of Saigon, with many high trees providing shade for the whole park. A place of interest of Saigonese who do physical exercise.
Tax Shopping Center135 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8213849.The wedding apparelstreet
Thu Ha Tailor, a tailor for foreigners at Vietnamese prices.29 Nguyen Huy Tu St., Dist. 1, Tel: 8203981Thu Ha has both Vietnamese and foreign clientele. Foreign customers are residents in serviced apartments such as Somerset or Norfolk Mansion or living in An Phu or Thao Dien. June, July and December are peak time for foreign customers who go on vacation or return to their homeland to welcome the new year. Suits and coats are the two most popular items for this kind of client. Tip: Foreigners and Vietnamese pay the same price which is reasonable. Thu Ha is very punctual in delivery.
Thuan Kieu broken rice54 Thuan Kieu St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8562891.Although also using rice, com tam is a unique dish of the Vietnamese. The rice must be broken rice to have a special taste. Thuan Kieu has nine restaurants in HCM City. Tip: Home delivery available.
Thuyen Vien Vegetarian Restaurant 11-13 Nguyen Van Dau St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8433050.With a menu of 60 dishes, Thuyen Vien is one of the famed vegetarian restaurants in HCM City, although it is not in the city's downtown. Tip: Open from 7a.m. to 10p.m. Thuyen Vien also offers excellent cakes for vegetarians.Traditional Medicine Institute273 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Phu Nhuan Dist. Tel: 8443049.This institute holds short courses on health and yoga, and it treats patients using traditional Vietnamese medicines.
Tropical Vietnamese fruitDon't miss a chance to taste Vietnam's best fruit when in HCM City. Tip: The section of Le Thanh Ton Street opposite Ben Thanh Market in District 1 has several shops selling good fruit at fixed prices.Vam Sat ResortLy Nhon, Can Gio Dist. Tel: 8876169.A resort in the middle of Can Gio mangrove forest, one of the world's recognized biospheres. Tip: Dam Doi near Vam Sat is the natural habitat of large flocks of bats.
Vietnam Golf & Country Club Long Thanh My, Dist. 9. Tel: 2800115
Vietnamese filter coffee
The French introduced coffee into Vietnam less than two centuries ago. Now Vietnam has become one of the world's top coffee exporters. In this digital age, some Vietnamese have adopted instant coffee with Coffeemate cream and sugar, and others use electric coffee makers. The purists, however, shun such philistine practices and keep the habit of enjoying ca phe phin, filtered coffee, lovingly produced by single-cup filters. It's simple to make a cup of filtered coffee. The filter is placed on a coffee cup or glass, two teaspoons of ground coffee are added, and then boiled water. The filter is capped and another process begins that Vietnamese claim is essential to enjoying coffee: the Wait. You sit, you talk or meditate, you think about what you are about to savor. In a minute or so, the first drops of precious dark brown liquid begin to fall from the filter to the cup. It takes a full five to ten minutes for the water to fully pass through the filter. When it stops dripping, remove the cap and manipulate the little press to squeeze the last drops from the fragrant grounds. Add sugar or condensed milk to your taste and stir with a spoon. The filtered coffee is now at your service.But is the art of making filtered coffee really so simple? Of course not, or else the thousands of coffee shops in Vietnam will shut down. The art lies in how the coffee is treated before being ground, and the way boiled water is poured into the filter. The secrets are too complicated for this article. In fact, not all coffee shops here mastered the art of making filtered coffee. However, coffee enthusiasts prefer having a cup of coffee at a shop to a homemade coffee. There, they can sip hot coffee while discussing current news or sports. They sit on stools, often very low, at inexpensive ca phe via he, or sidewalk coffee sites, a common scene in Vietnam. However, for the elite there are luxurious ca phe via he as well. Some of these in HCM City may approach the caliber of coffee shops along France's famous Champs Elysee. For example, the one in front of Me Linh Point Tower where coffee drinkers can watch the Tran Hung Dao Monument Park and inhale the fresh air from the Saigon River. At Highlands coffee shop at The Metropolitan Building, customers can take in the view of the Paris Commune Square, Notre Dame Cathedral, the lovely Central Post Office, and Diamond Plaza Shopping Center. Half a century ago the Hotel Continental's sidewalk coffee shop was a rendezvous for French elite and international journalists, but it has gone. When filmmakers shot Indochina, Dien Bien Phu and The Quiet American, they had to recreate it. Filtered coffee is available at rooftop cafes at the Rex, Caravelle, Palace, Century Saigon and other hotels. HCM City's highest coffee shop lies on the 33rd story of the Saigon Trade Center, which is the tallest building in Vietnam. There, you can both enjoy a cup of filtered coffee and a panoramic view of Saigon. There have been no reports on whether the altitude affects the taste one way or the other. If you're used to drinking instant coffee, don't hesitate to try a cup of filtered coffee, another unforgettable experience of Vietnam. And if you want to try making your own, the Vietnamese coffee filter is made of aluminum or stainless steel and sells for VND5,000-10,000 in department stores.
Vietnamese pancakes on Dinh Cong Trang Street46A Dinh Cong Trang St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8241110.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8483153.This is the biggest Buddhist pagoda in HCM City. The main hall was completed in 1970 with assistance from Japanese, and the pagoda has some Japanese architectural characteristics. Tip: The pagoda's bell is also a gift from Japan.Xe OmA motorbike taxi is a very convenient way for budget tourists to move around town.
Xich LoXich lo comes from the French word "cyclo." Traveling by xich lo is now a great way to tour the city. A guest sits in the front of the vehicle and the driver sits behind. A xich lo that runs slowly on the streets of Saigon helps a tourist enjoy the cityscape and Saigonese activities. Tip: If you are courageous enough, ask the driver to give you a try at the cycling (but not on crowded streets).
War Museum28 Vo Van Tan St., Dist. 3. Tel: 8290325.A must-see for foreign tourists. On display are exhibits concerning the atrocities during the Vietnam war such as My Lai massacre and victims of napalm bombs and Agent Orange. There is also a guillotine brought to Vietnam by the French colonialists. In late 1950s, this guillotine was moved to several provinces in South Vietnam to execute revolutionists. The souvenir shop sells items related to the war.Len Saigon (Wool Products)255 Hoang Van Thu St, Tan Binh Dist.. Tel: 8445943.Fl. 2, Zen Plaza, 54-56 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1.Fl. 1, City Plaza, 230 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1.Ground Fl., CMC Plaza, 79B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Tan Binh Dist. Zen Plaza54-56 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1. Tel: 9280339.Biggest fashion center in HCM City
26B Le Loi Street, Dist.1. Tel: 8257140.A favorite place of young Saigonese. At night, this ice cream shop of several stories is often full. Tip: At night, watching Le Loi Street, one of the main streets of Saigon, is an experience one should try.
Ben Duoc TempleNear Cu Chi Tunnel, Ben Duoc Temple was built in 1993 to commemorate war martyrs who died fighting for Vietnam's independence.
Ben Thanh MarketThis "all-in-one" market is in the center of the city. Tip: A must-visit place. You need no address of Ben Thanh Market. Call a cab and ask the driver to take you to Cho Ben Thanh.
Ben Thanh Tourist4-6 Ho Huan Nghiep St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8238962One of the top-ten tour operators in Vietnam
Binh Quoi Tourist Village 1147 Binh Quoi St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8841195.On Thanh Da peninsula, the tourist village is like a huge garden with lawns and trees. Tip: A tourist village beside the Saigon River.
Binh Tay MarketBinh Tay Market on Thap Muoi Street in District 6 is the largest wholesale market in town.
Blue Ginger37 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8298676A restaurant of Vietnamese cuisine tourists shouldn't miss. Tip: The banh cuon tom ap chao (pan-fried shrimp scallion ravioli) is a must.
Bodhi Tree Restaurant175/6 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8369545.This restaurant offers a menu of 150 vegetarian dishes from Vietnam, India, Mexico and Italy. Tip: Dishes are cooked when ordered.
Bonsai 1 cruise ship1147 Binh Quoi St., Binh Thanh Dist., Tel: 8991833.A wooden cruise ship on the Saigon River, the Bonsai 1 is 40m long, 9m wide, and capable of accommodating 120 people. Tip: Cozy atmosphere.Brodard Restaurant11 Nguyen Thiep St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8275891.A favorite coffee shop of the Saigonese.
Ca keo hotpot streetCa keo is a fish about 10cm long. Grilled ca keo fish served with tamarind fish sauce is a specialty. But it is ca keo hotpot that makes this a special street in HCM City. Ba Huyen Thanh Quan Street and its environs in District 1 are the ca keo hotpot street. The hotpot has a sour taste, and is served with a lot of vegetables and rice vermicelli. Tip: How to eat a ca keo fish from the hotpot: Put the entire stewed fish in your mouth with the tail in first. Hold the fish with your lips and pull the fish out by its head. The meat of the fish will remain in your mouth while the head and the backbone is pulled out.
Caravelle Hotel
19 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8234999No other five-star hotels in town have a history comparable to that of the Caravelle. The hotel is also the first hotel to win The Saigon Times FDI Top 40 Award for foreign investors. Tip: Saigon Saigon Bar is a must.
Carving street, a section of Cong Hoa Street in Tan Binh District
Cha ca La Vong - A Special Dish A specialty of Hanoi, cha ca La Vong (La Vong fish paste) is now available in HCM City. The place that serves it is Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant.The restaurant opened in May, 2003, and it has been serving only the dish besides drinks. With 20 tables, it can serve 120 customers at the same time. "At present, though not much advertising has been done for the dish, about 10% of our customers are foreigners," says Doan Cong Thanh, the owner. He says the fish paste was invented by his great-great grandparents more than a century ago. It is made of catfish or snakehead fish fillets. They are spiced and broiled, and are eaten with rice vermicelli or banh da (northern-style rice paper) and fermented shrimp paste, fried peanuts, pickled spring onion bulbs, and aromatic herbs. The eatery belongs to his family's three-restaurant chain and it is the only branch in the South. The main restaurant is also the oldest restaurant in Vietnam (in operation for 133 years), located at 14 Cha Ca St., Hanoi. The La Vong fish paste is the only dish which is used to name an ancient street in Hanoi. In particular, it has been introduced in the website of the U.S. television station MSNBC as one of the 10 places that everybody should visit before they die.Address: 31 Nguyen Thi Dieu St., Dist. 1, HCM CityTel: 9305674
Com Nieu Saigon Restaurant6 C Tu Xuong St., Dist. 3. Tel: 9326388.Tip: Rice cooked in clay pots.
Conical hatOne of the symbols of Vietnam. In HCM City, non la is still worn by street traders. It remains a favorite item for foreign tourists because it is made from natural materials.
Continental Hotel132 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8299201.Built in 1880, Continental is the oldest hotel in HCM City and Vietnam. Tip: The hotel welcomed French writer Andre Malraux, Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore and British writer Graham Greene.
Cruise ships on the Saigon River at night
Cu Chi Tunnel in Cu Chi DistrictOnce the headquarters of the armed forces in Saigon-Gia Dinh, Cu Chi Tunnel is a system of 200km of tunnels between 2.5m and 12m underground. Tip: Tourists can shoot real guns.
D.A.N.19 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8247144.A must-see jewelry shop in downtown HCM City.Dam Sen Park3 Hoa Binh St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8841195.Dam Sen is one of the recreational parks most familiar to Saigonese. Tip: It has a water park inside.Draft beerIn HCM City bia hoi or draft beer is often served in sidewalk eateries. Bia hoi is often served with grilled dried squid or groundnuts. Tip: Bia hoi is inexpensive beer and bia hoi eateries are where people make friends easily.Fashion streetFootwear streets
General Le Van Duyet Temple1 bis Phan Dang Luu St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8412517.This is the temple of Le Van Duyet, a high-ranking mandarin of the Nguyen Dynasty and governor of Gia Dinh, the former name of Saigon-Gia Dinh area, now HCM City.
Giac Lam Pagoda118 Lac Long Quan St, Tan Binh Dist. Tel: 8642012.The oldest pagoda in HCM City.
Givral Restaurant169 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292747.One of the best-loved coffee shops in Saigon.
HCM City's Wall Street
Ho Chi Minh Museum1 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Dist. 4 Tel: 8299749.Also called Ben Nha Rong, the building used to be the office of the French maritime transport firm Messageries Maritimes. It was at this place that Nguyen Tat Thanh, who later became Uncle Ho, embarked on the Latouche Treville to go abroad to begin the struggle for Vietnam's independence. The museum displays materials about President Ho's activities.Ho Chi Minh City History Museum2 Nguyen Binh Khiem St., Dist. 1, Tel: 9100167.One of the oldest museums in the city, the museum displays exhibits on Vietnam's history and on some themes such as antiques, the Phu Nam culture, Cham arts and Mekong Delta arts.
Ho Chi Minh Operation Museum2 Le Duan St. Tel: 8229387.
Hoa Vien Brauhaus28 bis Mac Dinh Chi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8290585.A cozy place to enjoy draft beer from Pilsen, the Czech Republic, and Eastern European dishes.
Kuan Yu's Temple678 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 5. Tel: 8538775.Not far from the Lady's Temple is a temple built by the local Trieu Chau association to worship Quan Vu, or Quan Cong (Kuan Yu). It is called Nghia An Hoi Quan or Mieu Ong.Lady's Temple710 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 5. Tel: 8555322.Built by the local Guangdong community in the 19th century to worship the goddess of the sea, this temple attracts the largest turnout in Cho Lon, the Chinese area of HCM City. The temple has been renovated by Saigontourist to make it more attractive. Tip: Sophisticated ceramic sculpture on the roof of the temple.
Le Cong Kieu Antique street
Lion draft beer11-13 Cong Truong Lam Son, Dist. 1. Tel: 8238514.
Mangosteen Restaurant in Bong Sen Hotel117-123 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1 .Tel: 8291516.
Mrs. Ca Doi Restaurant11 Ton That Thiep St., Dist. 1.One of the oldest restaurants in Saigon, the 50-year-old restaurant was set up by a northern woman. The Menu is of the daily dishes of Vietnamese families. Tip: The restaurant has a northern taste, but its diners are people from all over Vietnam plus foreigners.
Nhu Lan bread with ham50, 68 Ham Nghi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292970.Set up in 1968, Nhu Lan was first on Gia Long Street, now Ly Tu Trong, before being moved to Ham Nghi Street. Aside from ready-to-eat foods, Nhu Lan also offer dishes from the three regions of Vietnam. Tip: Vietnamese bread with ham is Nhu Lan specialty.
Nightclub quarter
Notre Dame Cathedral
Quang Truong Cong Xa Paris, Dist. 1. Tel: 8294822.Built by the French in 1877, this cathedral, the best known in Saigon, has neo-Romanesque architecture and two towers 57m high. In front of it is a statue of the Virgin Mary. Tip: Some ceremonies are in English.
Oriental medicine streetPanorama 3337 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1. Tel: 9100493.The coffee shop is at the top of HCM City and Vietnam's tallest building, where you can watch the city's skyline, including its most famous structures and the winding Saigon River. Tip: There is a terrace at Panorama 33 where you can inhale fresh air high in the sky.Pedestrian street
Pho 2000 (pho soup restaurant)1-3 Phan Chu Trinh, St.1. Tel: 8222788.
Pho 24 (pho soup restaurant)67 Hai Ba Trung St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8228360.
Phu Thinh SouvernirsBamboo and rattan products.23/2A Tran Nao St., Dist. 2. Tel: 8875736.
Phu Tho Horse Race StadiumLe Dai Hanh St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8662644.
Reunification Palace133 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8223652.On this site the former palace of the French governor of Indochina was built in 1868 and became the presidential palace of South Vietnam when Ngo Dinh Diem came to power in 1950s. After being damaged by bombs during a coup attempt in early 1960s, the palace was rebuilt. In early 1975, Nguyen Thanh Trung, a revolutionary secret agent who was a Saigon regime fighter pilot dropped bombs on the palace. On April 30, 1975, tanks of the liberation army crashed through the main gate of the palace, ending the 20-year war for Vietnam's reunification.
Rex Hotel141 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8292185.One of the best known hotels of HCM City. Tip: From Rex's rooftop Garden Bar, which was voted by Newsweek as one of the best in Asia, tourists can see busy streets thrivers. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Saigontourist Department Store35bis-45 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8225328.One of the most modern shopping center in town.
Saigontourist Travel Service49 Le Thanh Ton St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8298914.One of the most reliable tour operators in Vietnam.
Saigon Water Park
About 10km from downtown, Saigon Water Park was the first modern water park in HCM City and Vietnam.
SakuraA restaurant run by a Japanese lady with a mentally-handicapped staff.4 Ton Duc Thang St., Dist. 1.QI Saigon Spa253 Nguyen Van Troi St., Phu Nhuan Dist. Tel: 8449222
Salted fish hotpotA southern specialty cooked with salted fish and eaten with a lot of vegetables. Rice vermicelli is put into a bowl, and beef, fish, shrimp and squid is put into a hotpot. Tip: A bowl of lau mam must be served with a lot of vegetables.
Sheraton Hotel Saigon88 Dong Khoi St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8272828.The five-star of the five-star hotels in Saigon.
Southern BBQ villageThese restaurants, often on large roofed space, are becoming more popular. Besides, grilled dishes, other southern foods are served. You can find one at 9 Tang Bat Ho Street in District 5 (Tel: 8554024).
Soya milkA wonderful beverage because it is nutritious and cheap and available everywhere.
Squid Rice PorridgeA popular dish, the chao muc is delicious. Dried squid is grilled and torn into small pieces and then cooked with rice. Tip: Thanh Son eatery at 144 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3 (Tel: 8297554), is a good place to visit.
Street of ornamental fishA section of Nguyen Thong Street, District 3. One can find everything for an aquarium.
Sugarcane juice, sold everywhere.
Suoi Tien ParkTan Phu, Dist. 9. Tel: 8964705.For provincial visitors to HCM City, Suoi Tien is a must-see place. Tip: Huge statues of the kings of the Hung Dynasty, the founders of Vietnam.
Tao Dan Park on Truong Dinh Street in District 1.The park resembles a part of a jungle in the middle of Saigon, with many high trees providing shade for the whole park. A place of interest of Saigonese who do physical exercise.
Tax Shopping Center135 Nguyen Hue St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8213849.The wedding apparelstreet
Thu Ha Tailor, a tailor for foreigners at Vietnamese prices.29 Nguyen Huy Tu St., Dist. 1, Tel: 8203981Thu Ha has both Vietnamese and foreign clientele. Foreign customers are residents in serviced apartments such as Somerset or Norfolk Mansion or living in An Phu or Thao Dien. June, July and December are peak time for foreign customers who go on vacation or return to their homeland to welcome the new year. Suits and coats are the two most popular items for this kind of client. Tip: Foreigners and Vietnamese pay the same price which is reasonable. Thu Ha is very punctual in delivery.
Thuan Kieu broken rice54 Thuan Kieu St., Dist. 11. Tel: 8562891.Although also using rice, com tam is a unique dish of the Vietnamese. The rice must be broken rice to have a special taste. Thuan Kieu has nine restaurants in HCM City. Tip: Home delivery available.
Thuyen Vien Vegetarian Restaurant 11-13 Nguyen Van Dau St., Binh Thanh Dist. Tel: 8433050.With a menu of 60 dishes, Thuyen Vien is one of the famed vegetarian restaurants in HCM City, although it is not in the city's downtown. Tip: Open from 7a.m. to 10p.m. Thuyen Vien also offers excellent cakes for vegetarians.Traditional Medicine Institute273 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Phu Nhuan Dist. Tel: 8443049.This institute holds short courses on health and yoga, and it treats patients using traditional Vietnamese medicines.
Tropical Vietnamese fruitDon't miss a chance to taste Vietnam's best fruit when in HCM City. Tip: The section of Le Thanh Ton Street opposite Ben Thanh Market in District 1 has several shops selling good fruit at fixed prices.Vam Sat ResortLy Nhon, Can Gio Dist. Tel: 8876169.A resort in the middle of Can Gio mangrove forest, one of the world's recognized biospheres. Tip: Dam Doi near Vam Sat is the natural habitat of large flocks of bats.
Vietnam Golf & Country Club Long Thanh My, Dist. 9. Tel: 2800115
Vietnamese filter coffee
The French introduced coffee into Vietnam less than two centuries ago. Now Vietnam has become one of the world's top coffee exporters. In this digital age, some Vietnamese have adopted instant coffee with Coffeemate cream and sugar, and others use electric coffee makers. The purists, however, shun such philistine practices and keep the habit of enjoying ca phe phin, filtered coffee, lovingly produced by single-cup filters. It's simple to make a cup of filtered coffee. The filter is placed on a coffee cup or glass, two teaspoons of ground coffee are added, and then boiled water. The filter is capped and another process begins that Vietnamese claim is essential to enjoying coffee: the Wait. You sit, you talk or meditate, you think about what you are about to savor. In a minute or so, the first drops of precious dark brown liquid begin to fall from the filter to the cup. It takes a full five to ten minutes for the water to fully pass through the filter. When it stops dripping, remove the cap and manipulate the little press to squeeze the last drops from the fragrant grounds. Add sugar or condensed milk to your taste and stir with a spoon. The filtered coffee is now at your service.But is the art of making filtered coffee really so simple? Of course not, or else the thousands of coffee shops in Vietnam will shut down. The art lies in how the coffee is treated before being ground, and the way boiled water is poured into the filter. The secrets are too complicated for this article. In fact, not all coffee shops here mastered the art of making filtered coffee. However, coffee enthusiasts prefer having a cup of coffee at a shop to a homemade coffee. There, they can sip hot coffee while discussing current news or sports. They sit on stools, often very low, at inexpensive ca phe via he, or sidewalk coffee sites, a common scene in Vietnam. However, for the elite there are luxurious ca phe via he as well. Some of these in HCM City may approach the caliber of coffee shops along France's famous Champs Elysee. For example, the one in front of Me Linh Point Tower where coffee drinkers can watch the Tran Hung Dao Monument Park and inhale the fresh air from the Saigon River. At Highlands coffee shop at The Metropolitan Building, customers can take in the view of the Paris Commune Square, Notre Dame Cathedral, the lovely Central Post Office, and Diamond Plaza Shopping Center. Half a century ago the Hotel Continental's sidewalk coffee shop was a rendezvous for French elite and international journalists, but it has gone. When filmmakers shot Indochina, Dien Bien Phu and The Quiet American, they had to recreate it. Filtered coffee is available at rooftop cafes at the Rex, Caravelle, Palace, Century Saigon and other hotels. HCM City's highest coffee shop lies on the 33rd story of the Saigon Trade Center, which is the tallest building in Vietnam. There, you can both enjoy a cup of filtered coffee and a panoramic view of Saigon. There have been no reports on whether the altitude affects the taste one way or the other. If you're used to drinking instant coffee, don't hesitate to try a cup of filtered coffee, another unforgettable experience of Vietnam. And if you want to try making your own, the Vietnamese coffee filter is made of aluminum or stainless steel and sells for VND5,000-10,000 in department stores.
Vietnamese pancakes on Dinh Cong Trang Street46A Dinh Cong Trang St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8241110.
Vinh Nghiem Pagoda 339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St., Dist. 1. Tel: 8483153.This is the biggest Buddhist pagoda in HCM City. The main hall was completed in 1970 with assistance from Japanese, and the pagoda has some Japanese architectural characteristics. Tip: The pagoda's bell is also a gift from Japan.Xe OmA motorbike taxi is a very convenient way for budget tourists to move around town.
Xich LoXich lo comes from the French word "cyclo." Traveling by xich lo is now a great way to tour the city. A guest sits in the front of the vehicle and the driver sits behind. A xich lo that runs slowly on the streets of Saigon helps a tourist enjoy the cityscape and Saigonese activities. Tip: If you are courageous enough, ask the driver to give you a try at the cycling (but not on crowded streets).
War Museum28 Vo Van Tan St., Dist. 3. Tel: 8290325.A must-see for foreign tourists. On display are exhibits concerning the atrocities during the Vietnam war such as My Lai massacre and victims of napalm bombs and Agent Orange. There is also a guillotine brought to Vietnam by the French colonialists. In late 1950s, this guillotine was moved to several provinces in South Vietnam to execute revolutionists. The souvenir shop sells items related to the war.Len Saigon (Wool Products)255 Hoang Van Thu St, Tan Binh Dist.. Tel: 8445943.Fl. 2, Zen Plaza, 54-56 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1.Fl. 1, City Plaza, 230 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1.Ground Fl., CMC Plaza, 79B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Tan Binh Dist. Zen Plaza54-56 Nguyen Trai St., Dist. 1. Tel: 9280339.Biggest fashion center in HCM City
History Ho Chi Minh City
The first settlersIn his book of literary works about the southern land in the 17th century when the first Vietnamese settlers arrived, Le Quy Don wrote: “From the Can Gio Estuary, the Soai Rap, Tieu (Small) and Dai (Grand) estuaries ... up (the rivers)”, the land of Saigon remained deserted, covered by dense forests and marshes. A few groups of ethnic tribes such as the Khmer, the Stieng, and the Ma were dwelling sparsely on high ground. The Vietnamese settlers were migrants from the North and the Central provinces. The majority of them were poor peasants ruined by the war between feudal clans, others were soldiers and officers ordered by feudal governments to garrison in the South, and some were runaway convicts. They all crossed the sea in small boats and from the Can Gio Estuary they sailed up the Saigon River to land in the area of today’s Saigon. The first migrants settled on high ground by the river to cultivate the land as the area had plenty of fresh water and good weather conditions. Gradually the settlers moved outward to reclaim cultivable land from forests, marshes and plains. They built homes and hamlets, gardens and rice fields.History books mentioned Mo Xoai, probably an area of today’s Ba Ria, as the first settlement of those Vietnamese migrants. Here the land is quite high and near watercourses, rivers and the sea, which was favorable for providing them with a living.From Mo Xoai, these immigrants quickly expanded their settlement, claimed virgin land in parts that are Dong Nai Province and Ho Chi Minh City. The natural conditions in these areas did not differ from those of Mo Xoai, and the watercourses were propitious to navigation, which encouraged the settlers to move even further. By the middle of the 17th century, Vietnamese migrants were reportedly settling in the area that makes up today’s Phnom Penh.In the Vietnamese settlers facing the wildness of the old Saigon-Gia Dinh area, a land generous but mysterious and giving rise to plenty of mishaps, felt hesitant. This is reflected by the following folk poem:We are here in a strange place;We fear a bird chirping and tremble at a fish wobblingThose pioneers, energetic and strong-willed, remained in the land of Saigon, to begin a new life. By the time the first emissaries of the Nguyen Lord arrived to tour and inspect the new land, the first generations of settlers already had a stable life, cultivating their productive fields and gardens. Current history books wrote that some 10,000 people inhabited the Saigon area in the middle of the 17th century.Among the early Saigon settlers were a sizable number of Chinese migrants. They originated from China’s southern coastal regions, running away from the miseries of their war-torn country. In 1679 there occurred a great migration of 3,000 persons in 50 warships headed by two generals under the defunct Ming Dynasty: Duong Ngan Dich and Tran Thuong Xuyen. A large part of these emigrants settled in and cultivated the land in the South’s eastern region, Bien Hoa and Saigon. The city of Cholon was built with the contribution from these ethnic Chinese groups as they were being integrated into the ethnic communities of Vietnam.
The first 75 years
In 1998, Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City celebrated its 300th anniversary, but the period of the 75 years between 1623 and 1698 may be regarded as the time in which Saigon was founded. During this period, hundreds, and perhaps thousands of Vietnamese families migrated from the Center (the Inner Section) and the North (the Outer Section) to settle in the plains of the Dong Nai and the Mekong rivers. Saigon at that time already was booming with agricultural production, trading businesses, and handicrafts, enriching the prosperous customs tax office. Yet, all those peaceful economic activities were interrupted quite a few times.In 1698, which is 19 years since the building of the garrison citadel and 75 years since the establishment of the customs tax collection office, the Nguyen Lord ordered Grand Mandarin Nguyen Huu Kinh (known also as Nguyen Huu Canh) to inspect the South, formalizing the control of this region. At that time some 20,000 Vietnamese were settled in the Saigon area. They probably made up one-third of the Vietnamese population inhabiting the Dong Nai River basin. Nguyen Huu Kinh had an earth rampart built from the lower Thi Nghe Rivulet to Rach Cat to protect the northwestern and southwestern parts of Saigon; the northeastern and southeastern sides already were protected by the Thi Nghe Rivulet, the Tan Binh and the Saigon rivers.From that time, “Saigon” was the name of the area enclosed between the watercourses and the 8,000 or 9,000-meter-long earth rampart.
NGUYEN HUU CANH, the founder of Saigon-HCM City
Nguyen Huu Canh (1650-1700), was a famous army commander and an excellent administrator. He is credited for expanding our territories to the south and laying foundations for the city of Saigon-Ho Chi Minh City.Nguyen Huu Canh was born in the year of the Tiger, 1650, in a village in what is nowadays Chuong Tin Commune, Phong Loc District of Quang Binh Province. According to researchers, one of his ancestors was Dinh Quoc Cong (Duke) Nguyen Bac, a famous general under King Dinh Tien Hoang. Nguyen Huu Canh was also a descendant of Vietnam’s most illustrious politician: Nguyen Trai. Canh’s father was Chieu Vu Hau (Earl) Nguyen Huu Dat, a noted general who had helped the Nguyen Lord in the struggle against the Trinh Lord in the Dang Ngoai (Outer Section or North Vietnam).Growing up during the Trinh - Nguyen War, Nguyen Huu Canh spent all his time in the practice of martial arts so that he would be able to join his father in his military campaigns. Though still young, Canh had won many battles and was promoted by Lord Nguyen Phuc Tan to Cai Co, a high-ranking army officer’s rank, when he was in his twenties.In 1681, his father died; he and his elder brother, Nguyen Huu Hao, succeeded their father as army commanders. In his manners and relations with people Nguyen Huu Canh was serious and careful; therefore he was well respected. In 1692, relations at the border of Vietnam and Champa turned to strife. Ba Tranh, the king of Champa, led his armies to attack Dien Ninh, a district of today’s Phu Yen Province. By order of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, Nguyen Huu Canh fought the attackers and chased them out. He named the new land Tran (district) Thuan Thanh and became the district’s first governor.After he had pacified the region, Canh drew up programs of reclaiming land for farming, restoring social order, and stabilizing the livelihood of the people in Thuan Thanh District. The district quickly prospered.At the beginning of the Mau Dan year (the year of the Tiger, 1698), Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu again sent Nguyen Huu Canh, now promoted to Grand Mandarin, to inspect the South, write the civil code, set up legal rule, and determine territorial borders. Nguyen Huu Canh and his troops sailed off to the south and went upstream on the Dong Nai River to arrive at Cu Lao Pho (Pho Island), the region’s largest and busiest river port at that time. Nguyen Huu Canh inspected the area of Saigon and set up two administrative offices in Phuoc Long and Tan Binh districts. These administrative agencies, the first in South Vietnam, were under the rule of Gia Dinh County. Trinh Hoai Duc in the Gia Dinh Chronicle wrote: “The land was extended by over one thousand miles and population increased by 40,000 families.” Nguyen Huu Canh posted several bureaus in charge of the administration such as the Ky Luc (in charge of administrative affairs and tax), the Luu Thu (military), and Cai Bo (justice). Xa Ty (public servants) and some army units were engaged in the service of the mandarins. As for the Chinese ethnic people, Nguyen Huu Canh organized special administrative units like the Thanh Ha Commune (Tran Bien), and the Minh Huong Commune (Phien Tran). He also recruited volunteers from the population for his programs of reclaiming land and building hamlets in remote areas.In the book Stories Of Dai Nam’s Celebrities (first edition, volume 1) it was noted that “Nguyen Huu Canh had recruited migrant people from Bo Chanh (Quang Binh Province) to the south for reclaiming land (in Tran Bien and Phien Tran); he then ordered the building of communes and hamlets, fixed tax rates and drew up rolls of taxpayers.” Thus, the border of Vietnam was extended to this area. In 1700, Nguyen Huu Canh led his army to the area that is today’s southwestern border of Vietnam. Thanks to his prestige he quickly pacified the troubled area. However, Nguyen Huu Canh fell gravely sick some time later and died, at the age of 50.Nguyen Huu Canh was a good army commander who had been using his talent and virtue to placate people. He has contributed a great part in the southward march of our people; he brought prosperity to the people. Therefore, he was well respected, much thanked, and adored by the people. Nowadays, temples honoring Le Thanh Hau (Earl) Nguyen Huu Canh exist in many localities. The biggest of these are in An Giang, Dong Nai and Quang Binh provinces. There also is a temple venerating Nguyen Huu Canh in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
From Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City
President Ho Chi Minh once said: “The southern region is the flesh and blood of Vietnam. Rivers may be shallow, mountains may be eroded, but the truth will never change.”The truth proves that Vietnam was formed through a long time of reclamation of land from the sea and forests, expansion and defense of our ancestors; it also expresses the struggle against foreign invaders who wanted to separate the southern region, including HCM City, from Vietnam.
Long ago, when first arriving in the land around Saigon that they called Gia Dinh, and settling in the entire southern region, the settlers always looked toward the capital, now Hanoi, but formerly called Thang Long:Since the days of bringing swords southward to expand the country,The South has longed for Thang Long (Rising Dragon)!In 1859, the French colonialists occupied Saigon and the southern region. From the South, they expanded their invasion in the whole country. Under French rule, Vietnam was divided into three regions, with three different policies. The northern region was a protectorate, the central region was governed by a Vietnamese king and French special envoy, and the southern region was a colony.Politically, the invaders suppressed all resistance movements and controlled the circulation among the three regions. Economically, they invested only in fields that benefited their homeland; they maintained monopolies of salt, liquor and opium. Socially, they promoted backward habits of the feudalism and carried out obscurantism; up to 90% of Vietnamese people were illiterate at that time.The French invaders paid closer attention to the southern region in general and Saigon in particular. They tried to turn Saigon into the “Pearl of the Far East” with a view to boast their colonial civilization policy. The entire southern region had only one Vietnamese representative in France’s Parliament.Under the French occupation, people organized many patriotic movements to struggle against the invaders in spite of the Nguyen dynasty’s attitude of weakly accepting the situation. All the patriotic movements against invasion, namely the resistance wars led by Thu Khoa Huan, Truong Cong Dinh and Nguyen Trung Truc in the southern region; the struggles led by Phan Dinh Phung and Tong Duy Tan in the central region; and the resistance wars led by Hoang Hoa Tham and Nguyen Thien Thuat in the northern region; were local, without coordination by way of help for one another.Later, though the movements calling for freeing Phan Boi Chau or mourning Phan Chu Trinh – two patriotic scholars – and the resistance war launched by Vietnam Kuomintang in Yen Bai in 1930 were larger, they ended in failure.Only after Nguyen Tat Thanh (President Ho Chi Minh later) left Saigon’s Nha Rong Port in 1911 for Europe, witnessed the success of Russia’s October Revolution, which opened a new era with Lenin’s theses on people and colonial powers, and then brought back and publicized Marxism-Leninism during the formation of Vietnam’s working class and the Communist Party, that nation-building and national liberation got on the right path.The unification congress on February 3, 1930, presided over by President Ho Chi Minh, saw the establishment of the Vietnam Communist Party and the blueprint of the fight against invasion, and feudalism, and for national liberation, land allocation to farmers, and the building of socialism. These policies and mechanisms paved the way for the success of Vietnam’s revolution despite all the difficulties and sacrifice.After the Party’s establishment, the Party Central Committee was based in Saigon during the 1930-1940 period. After the Southern Region Revolution, the central committee was moved to Hanoi. Under the Party’s command, the revolution was started throughout the country, the peak of which was the Xo Viet Nghe Tinh movement in the 1930-1931 period. The movement called for people’s welfare and democracy, anti-Fascism, and struggles in Saigon and Hanoi. The revolution rose to another peak in the 1939-1945 period when the Party prepared all forces and facilities for its opportunity. When World War II ended, with the unconditional surrender of the Fascists to the Allies, the Party launched a resistance war countrywide. Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the people took the opportunity to seize political power within 12 days (from August 14 to 25), despite heavy losses after the Southern Region Revolution. This is a legendary story for a backward and separated country under foreign occupation.The August Revolution was a milestone for the history of the country. The revolution completely destroyed the colonialist and feudal regime, and put an end to its separation policy. It helped set up the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, turning the Vietnamese from slaves to owners of the country, and the Party to the political power holder.The August Revolution created a uniform government for the entire country, making it a stepping stone for the resistance wars against French and American invaders. Internationally, the French Government had to recognize this revolutionary government through a preliminary agreement signed on March 6, 1946, and a temporary treaty signed on September 14, 1946, at the Fontainebleau Conference, where President Ho Chi Minh was invited as a VIP.However, after the August Revolution, Vietnam encountered such difficulties as illiteracy, hunger and invasion. In the North, 200,000 Chinese soldiers entered the country, while British soldiers entered the South to take over Japanese soldiers who had surrendered. All of them hated the revolutionary government and managed to eliminate it. The British forces also helped the French colonialists to reoccupy Vietnam. When France was still ruled by German soldiers, the French Government claimed that it would manage to recover Indochina.In this context, 28 days after the Saigon people seized political power, on September 23, 1945, French invaders occupied Saigon again and the whole southern region, as a step to invading the entire country. They established an “autonomous” Southern Region, with a puppet government, Saigon being the capital, aiming to repeat what they did nearly 100 years before.The Central Government, led by President Ho Chi Minh, followed the Independence Proclamation announced by President Ho on September 2, 1945:“All peoples in the world were born equal; every people has the right to live, be happy and enjoy liberty…”“The people, who have bravely fought the French invasion over the past 80 years, and who have bravely supported the Allies to fight Fascism, must live independently…”“Vietnam has the right to enjoy freedom and independence, and it is really a country of liberty and independence. All Vietnamese people are determined to use all their spirit, facilities, lives and property to protect liberty and independence.”The people in Saigon and the southern region began to fight French invaders with all kinds of rudimentary weapons, ready to risk their lives instead of being occupied, starting the 30-year resistance war to protect their independence and reunification.The Party Central Committee and the Government led by President Ho Chi Minh also appealed: “All for the resistance war and the southern front.” Northern and northern Central provinces sent many groups to the South. The Central Committee ordered 2,000 political prisoners, who had just freed from Con Dao Island, to stay in the southern region to assist the resistance forces there. Ton Duc Thang, Le Duan, Pham Hung and Le Van Luong were among these prisoners.As the French military force was so strong, it expanded the occupation from Saigon to many southern localities. On February 27, 1946, President Ho Chi Minh appealed to southern soldiers and people to continue the struggle, granting them the glorious title of “Fatherland’s Iron Bulwark.”The resistance war of the people in Saigon and the southern region aimed to delay the French invasion process for the Central Government to have enough time to push Chinese soldiers back into their own homeland, hold talks with the French Government, and prepare forces for a long-term resistance war against the French invaders.The war broke out, with the main battlefields in the North. People and soldiers in Saigon and the southern region boosted their guerrilla warfare to cause more losses for the enemy, enabling the Government to launch a series of big military operations, especially the historic victory of Dien Bien Phu. Although busy with the main battlefields, the Government paid close attention to those battlefields in the southern region and regularly sent soldiers and weapons there.With the Dien Bien Phu victory and the Geneva Treaty (1954), half of Vietnam from latitude 17 northward was liberated. The South was still occupied, waiting for a general election for national reunification two years later.But U.S. imperialists then entered to replace French colonialists, aiming at a long-term occupation in the South, with a puppet government following a new type of colonialism, and Saigon was chosen as the capital of South Vietnam (from latitude 17 southward). Therefore, the South became the frontline and the North the rear. The resistance war against American invasion lasted for 21 years.The North carried out the “All for the frontline, all for defeating U.S. imperialists and the puppet government” slogan set by the Central Committee and President Ho Chi Minh. Many campaigns for the South were launched in the North. Almost every family in the North had at least one member participating in liberating the South.Despite hardships and sacrifice, people and soldiers in Saigon and the southern region always looked to the North and President Ho, firmly confident of final victory. The South was worried when American invaders bombed the North, especially Hanoi and Haiphong with giant B52 aircraft at the end of 1972. The South strengthened the resistance war to help the North, and southern people were very glad to see the triumph of people and soldiers in Hanoi in their fight against U.S. air raids.The entire country fought, and nothing could stop Vietnamese from struggling for national independence, liberty and reunification. Finally, the war ended in victory. On April 30, 1975, Saigon and the entire southern region were liberated. The liberation was welcomed by all people in the country and by people in every country.The country has been unified after years of resistance war against French and American invaders. From Saigon, Uncle Ho had found a way out for the people and the country. He wished to visit Saigon and the southern region, and the beloved people, but his wish could not be fulfilled. He died in 1969.In 1976, after the reunification, the National Assembly unanimously decided to rename Saigon-Cholon-Gia Dinh as Ho Chi Minh City. The city is worth bearing the name of the beloved president, who founded the Communist Party, army, front and revolutionary government, and who led the people and the country to a glorious victory. Bearing the name of Uncle Ho is a big honor for the city, but it also requires high responsibility for building and protecting the country.Since liberation, HCM City has contributed a great deal to socialist and national construction and defense. Politburo’s Resolution 01 (1982) stipulates that HCM City has a political position just behind Hanoi, the capital. It is endowed with favorable conditions that cannot be found elsewhere. It has great potential for developing industry, exports, tourism and services. In coordination with other localities, HCM City is forming an agro-industrial economic structure for the country’s socio-economic development.HCM City has contributed a great deal to the country, particularly in terms of economy. On the road to industrialization and modernization on the threshold of the 21st century, HCM City has connected with Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Binh Duong provinces to form a focal economic hub. It has also cooperated with the Mekong Delta provinces, the rice basket of the country; the southwestern provinces and the Central Highlands, with forestry potentials; and the central and northern provinces. HCM City is one of the country’s biggest venues to attract foreign direct investment. It is trying to become a sizable tourism and service center.In the effort to achieve integration with the economies of Southeast Asia, and with those of the rest of the world, HCM City has been trying to contribute its part to the common cause. As part of the unified country, HCM City strives to realize the tasks set by the resolution of the 9th Party Congress, contributing its part to national construction and defense to be worthy of a city bearing the name of Uncle Ho.( 300 years of Saigon-HCM City – Chinh Tri Quoc Gia Publishing House )
RESOLUTION By the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 6th tenure, 1st session, for officially renaming Saigon-Gia Dinh City as Ho Chi Minh City.The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of VietnamConsidering the boundless love of the people of Saigon-Gia Dinh City for President Ho Chi Minh and their wish for the city to be named after him;Considering the long and difficult revolutionary struggle launched in Saigon-Gia Dinh City, with several glorious feats, deserves the honor of being named after President Ho Chi Minh;After discussing the suggestion of the Presidium of the National Assembly’s meeting;Decides to rename Saigon-Gia Dinh City as Ho Chi Minh City.
Hanoi, July 2, 1976P.p. the Presidium,Truong Chinh( 20 Years of HCM City )
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