Welcome to Saigon, the most dymanic city of the country. Founded some 300 years ago, it’s the biggest melting-spot of the country.
Formerly Gia Dinh, a major fortified city that served as the administration centre for the southern territories and a major trading hub during the Nguyen Dynasty. War with the French saw the former star shaped citadel reduced to ruins. Unlike Thang Long (Hanoi) where the defenders surrendered within days and so much of the old citadel remained undamaged. The fighting in the south dragged on for several years left little trace of the old imperial majesty. During French colonial period Gia Dinh was rebuilt into an administration centre and thriving trading port.
Gia Dinh became Saigon and the capital city of the Republic of Vietnam (or South Vietnam) and was affectionately referred to as the Pearl of the Orient (Hòn Ngọc Viễn Đông).
