District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

District 1 Quận 1
Urban district
Downtown of Saigon
Position in HCMC's core
District 1 Location in Vietnam
Coordinates: 10°45′43″N 106°35′41″E / 10.76194°N 106.59472°E / 10.76194; 106.59472Coordinates: 10°45′43″N 106°35′41″E / 10.76194°N 106.59472°E / 10.76194; 106.59472
Country	Vietnam
Centrally governed city	Ho Chi Minh City
Seat	47 Lê Duẩn Boulevard
Commune, wards	10 phường
Area
• Total	7.7211 km2 (2.9811 sq mi)
Population
• Total	204,899
• Density	27,000/km2 (69,000/sq mi)
Demographics
• Main ethnic groups	predominantly Kinh
Time zone	UTC+07 (ICT)
Website	quan1.hochiminhcity.gov.vn

District 1 (Quận 1) is the central urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. With a total area of 7.7211 km² (2.9811 sq mi) the district has a population of 204,899 people as of 2010.^[1] The district is divided into 10 small subsets which are called wards (phường). District 1 contains most of the city's administrative offices, consulates, and large buildings. District 1 is the busiest district in the city with the highest living standards. Đồng Khởi street and Nguyễn Huệ boulevard in District 1 are the city's two main commercial centers. Đồng Khởi street is an area in high demand for real estate, hitting a record price of $50,000 per square meter in 2007.^[2]

History

District 1 and the other seven districts of Ho Chi Minh City were founded on May 27, 1959. Before 1975, the first district only had four small subsets (wards) which were Trần Quang Khải, Tự Đức, Bến Nghé, Hòa Bình (named after major historical characters) and the second district had seven different wards which were Cầu Kho, Cầu Ông Lãnh, Huyện Sĩ, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Nguyễn Cảnh Chân, Bùi Viện, Bến Thành. In May, 1976, the first and second district were combined into the District 1 of today.

Administration

District 1 is subdivided into ten wards, namely Bến Nghé, Bến Thành, Cô Giang, Cầu Kho, Cầu Ông Lãnh, Đa Kao, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Phạm Ngũ Lão, and Tân Định. Each ward has its own People's Committee, subordinate to the People's Committee of District 1.^[3]

Demographic and geographical features

District 1 has a population of 204,899 people over the total of 7,162,864 in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. The total area of the district is about 7.7211 km² (2.9811 sq mi). The District's density is 26,538 inhabitants per square kilometre (68,730/sq mi), very high compared to Ho Chi Minh City 3,419/km² (8,860/sq mi) and Vietnam's 259/km² (670/sq mi) respective densities.

District 1 is located towards the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The district area is divided into Bình Thạnh District and Phú Nhuận District with the Thị Nghè canal as a border, and District 3 - Hai Bà Trưng street and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai street as a northern border, District 2 in the east with Sai Gon River as the border, District 5 to the west with Nguyễn Văn Cừ street as the border, and District 4 to the south, with the Bến Nghé canal as a border.^[2]

Economy

When Saigon was governed by South Vietnam, Air Vietnam's head office was located in District 1.^[4]

District 1 is considered the financial center of Saigon and Vietnam. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and Vietnamese headquarters of international banks such as HSBC, ANZ, Standard Chartered, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of China, and Maybank. District 1 also known as the best spot for shopping in Vietnam, with a high concentration of shopping centres and luxury brands.

Consulates

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's biggest and busiest city, with a large population of immigrants from around the world living and working there. Because District 1 is the city's central district, many foreign consulates are located there.

^[3]

Education

Many of the best public schools in the city are located in District 1. Vietnam's system of private schools is relatively new and is still in the developing stage.

Kindergarten:

^[5]

University:

Office buildings

Many grade A office towers are located in District 1, HCMC.

Tourist sights

Historical sights

Buildings such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, the Central Post Office, the City Hall, Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, the former Republic of Vietnam President's Reunification Palace, Hotel Majestic, and Rex Hotel are some of the most famous historical sights in District 1. Besides these places, most streets in District 1 built and designed since 1946 were completed by the French. Most of the buildings constructed since the French colonial era are still standing, with most having been recently renovated.

Tourist sights

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica 

Reunification Palace 

Rex Hotel 

Central Post Office 

City Hall 

Inner decor of the Central Post Office 

City Opera House 

Other Attractions

The Bitexco Financial Tower is the tallest building in the city as of the beginning of 2016, and a symbol of modernity mixed with cultural influences. In addition, the Bui Vien and Nguyen Hue districts are also interesting places for visitors.

District 1 Skyline from Saigon River

References

External links

• From A To Z Experience Ho Chi Minh City District 1