District 1 is the economic, political, and cultural center of Ho Chi Minh City. It is home to numerous administrative offices, banks, company headquarters, hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment centers. With its strategic and convenient location, District 1 is often referred to as the "heart" of the city. In this article, Visithcmc will compile relevant information about District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City for your reference.

The Formation History of the District

After the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam took over Saigon and its surrounding areas on April 30, 1965, the city of Saigon - Gia Dinh was established on May 3, 1975. At that time, District 1 and District 2 were part of Saigon until May 1976.

On May 20, 1976, the administrative organization of Saigon - Gia Dinh city was restructured for the second time, merging District 1 and the old District 2 into District 1, where the old wards were dissolved, and new ones were established. District 1 was divided into 25 wards numbered from 1 to 25, with 884 residential groups.

On July 2, 1976, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in its first session officially renamed Saigon - Gia Dinh City to Ho Chi Minh City, and District 1 became a district directly under Ho Chi Minh City.

In August 1982, District 1 conducted its first administrative boundary planning at the ward level, reducing the number of wards from 25 to 20 and dissolving 5 wards (2, 5, 9, 16, 22), merging them into adjacent wards.

On March 27, 1989, District 1 further adjusted its administrative boundaries at the ward level, dissolving all 20 current wards with numeric names and creating 10 wards with alphabetical names: Da Kao, Tan Dinh, Ben Nghe, Ben Thanh, Cau Ong Lanh, Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Thai Binh, Nguyen Cu Trinh, Co Giang, and Cau Kho, with 105 residential areas and 1,202 residential groups.

Thus, District 1 was officially established in 1976, but this land had a presence for nearly four centuries, going through many ups and downs, and has become the city's key hub, playing a vital role in the economic, cultural, and social development of Ho Chi Minh City.

Where is District 1 Located, and Which Districts Does It Border?

District 1 is situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City and shares borders with the following districts:

• To the east, it borders Thu Duc City and the Saigon River.

• To the west, it borders District 3 and District 5.

• To the south, it borders District 4.

• To the north, it borders Ben Thanh District and Phu Nhuan District.

District 1 covers an area of 7.72 square kilometers, with a population of approximately 142,625 people according to the 2019 census, resulting in a population density of 18,475 people per square kilometer.

How Many Wards Does District 1 Have?

Currently, District 1 has a total of 10 wards:

• Ben Nghe Ward: with an area of 2.48 square kilometers and a population of approximately 11,454 people.

• Ben Thanh Ward: with an area of 0.93 square kilometers and a population of approximately 11,747 people.

• Co Giang Ward: with an area of 0.36 square kilometers and a population of approximately 11,574 people.

• Cau Kho Ward: with an area of 0.34 square kilometers and a population of approximately 13,686 people.

• Cau Ong Lanh Ward: with an area of 0.23 square kilometers and a population of approximately 10,527 people.

• Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward: with an area of 0.77 square kilometers and a population of approximately 20,878 people.

• Thai Binh Ward: with an area of 0.49 square kilometers and a population of approximately 9,908 people.

• Pham Ngu Lao Ward: with an area of 0.50 square kilometers and a population of approximately 15,017 people.

• Tan Dinh Ward: with an area of 0.63 square kilometers and a population of approximately 22,238 people.

• Da Kao Ward: with an area of 0.63 square kilometers and a population of approximately 14,673 people.

Important Administrative Institutions in District 1

In terms of administration and diplomacy, District 1 is home to 128 city and central government agencies, including significant organizations such as the Government Office, National Assembly Office, Municipal People's Committee, City Police Department, Department of Foreign Affairs, and various media agencies of the Party and State, among others.

In terms of diplomacy, District 1 hosts 28 consulates and representatives of countries with diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Key administrative institutions in District 1 include:

• District 1 People's Committee, located at 47 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• District 1 People's Court, located at 4 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• District 1 Police Department, located at 73 Yersin Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• District 1 Medical Center, located at 2 Dang Tat, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

People's Committee of District 1

Furthermore, District 1 is a hub for approximately 12 universities and 8 high schools.

Popular Tourist Destinations in District 1

District 1 is not only a famous tourist destination attracting a multitude of visitors each year but also a culinary paradise offering a wide variety of delicious dishes from all regions of Vietnam. Some of the must-visit tourist attractions in District 1 include:

Historical Sites:

• Independence Palace: Located at 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Saigon Central Post Office: Located at 2 Cong Truong Cong Xa Paris, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Independence Palace

Museums:

• Ho Chi Minh City Museum: Located at 65 Ly Tu Trong Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History: Located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ho Chi Minh Campaign Museum: Located at 2 Le Duan, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum: Located at 97A Duc Chinh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Vietnam Geological Museum: Located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ton Duc Thang Museum: Located at 5 Ton Duc Thang Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City History Museum

Churches:

• Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon: Located at 1 Cong Xa Paris, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Huyen Sy Church: Located at 1 Ton That Tung, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Temples and Shrines:

• Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, also known as Phuoc Hai Pagoda: Located at 73 Mai Thi Luu, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Linh Son Pagoda: Located at 149 Co Giang, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Lam Te Pagoda: Located at 212A Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Ba An Temple (also known as Mariamman Temple): Located at 45 Truong Dinh, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Jade Emperor Pagoda

Zoos and Parks:

• Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Located at 2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Other Famous Tourist Spots:

• Municipal Theatre, also known as the Opera House: Located at 7 Cong Truong Lam Son, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Nguyen Hue Walking Street: Located at 75 Le Thanh Ton Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bui Vien Street (Backpacker Street): Located in the Bui Vien - Pham Ngu Lao - De Tham area, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Saigon Garden: Located at 99 Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

City Opera House

Delectable Cuisine of District 1

District 1 isn't just a renowned tourist destination; it's also a culinary haven offering a myriad of delectable dishes and regional specialties that you shouldn't miss. Some of the mouthwatering dishes you can savor in District 1 include:

Pho

Pho is Vietnam's iconic noodle soup, celebrated for its sweet and savory broth that leaves a lasting impression. A bowl of pho typically consists of fresh rice noodles, tender beef, and a flavorful broth made from simmered bones. In District 1, you can find numerous pho restaurants, and Visithcmc recommends a few highly-rated ones:

• Pho Cao Van, located at 25 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Pho Phu Vuong, located at 120 Nguyen Thai Binh Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Pho Quynh, located at 323 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Pho Minh, located at 63/6 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Pho Ngoc, located at 30E Ho Hao Hon Street, Co Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Bun Mam:

Bun Mam encompasses two distinct styles, hailing from the Mekong Delta and Central Vietnam. Mekong Delta-style bun mam, upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, gained popularity for its piping hot broth infused with the unique aroma of fermented fish sauce. This dish is typically served with fresh rice vermicelli, pork belly, shrimp, squid, and fish cake, accompanied by raw vegetables. On the other hand, Central-style bun mam is a cold dish featuring fresh rice vermicelli, raw vegetables, boiled pork, sausage, and nem chua (fermented pork). The highlight of this dish is the fragrant bowl of mam nem dipping sauce, a specialty of Central Vietnam.

Bun Mam Mekong Delta-style

Some bun mam restaurants to explore include:

• Bun Mam Dong Cho Ben Thanh, located at 103 Pasteur Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Mam Mien Tay - Tran Quang Khai, located at 78 Tran Quang Khai Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Mam Co Bong - Tan Dinh Market, located across from 125 Nguyen Huu Cau Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Mam Nem Co No, located at 135/28 Tran Hung Dao Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Mam Mien Tay - Tran Khac Chan, located at 124 Tran Khac Chan Street, Tan Dinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Bún mắm nêm

Bun Bo Hue:

Bun Bo Hue is a distinctive dish originating from Hue, and it has been adapted to suit the palate of Ho Chi Minh City. This dish features thick rice vermicelli, with ingredients including beef shank, oxtail, brisket, and a flavorful lemongrass-infused broth. The dish is known for its bold and spicy flavors.

Some recommended Bun Bo Hue eateries in District 1 include:

• Bun Bo Hue Cong Quynh, located at 262 Cong Quynh Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Bo Hue Xua, located at 148Bis Le Thi Rieng Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Bo Hue 31, located at 31 Mac Dinh Chi Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Bun Bo Hue Dong Ba, located at 207B Nguyen Van Thu Street, Da Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

In addition, District 1 also offers a wide variety of delicious dishes for you to explore, such as fermented shrimp paste with tofu and vermicelli, field crab hotpot, crab soup, grilled octopus, bitter melon with chili and shrimp paste, various snail dishes, and a diverse range of restaurants serving delectable cuisine from around the world.

The information provided by Visithcmc highlights that District 1 is a strategically located and rapidly developing area. It's not only the economic, political, and cultural heart of Ho Chi Minh City but also an enticing destination for tourists with its famous attractions and beloved culinary delights. With this information, we hope you have gained more knowledge and a better understanding of District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City.