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The Glossary

Nonla - "The Vietnamese conical straw hat."

From Vietnam Glossary

Vietnam's largest city, Ho Chi Minh, has retained its commercial glory for centuries. Still referred to as "Saigon" by locals, the former capital balances the nation's eventful past with a promising future. Extravagant restaurants, hotels, and night clubs are contrasted by buildings designed with Chinese, European, and Vietnamese influences.

Historical Former Capital

Saigon's glory began when Chinese, Japanese, and European merchants would travel to the Saigon River for trade. It became the largest city of Indochina when Co Lon joined Saigon in 1874. The French even called the city "the Pearl of the Far East" or the "Paris in the Orient."

The most disputed part of its history happened on April 30, 1975, when it fell in the hands of the Vietnamese People's Army. The communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam refers to the event as the "Liberation of Saigon," while the US call it the "Fall of Saigon." The year after, it was combined with two other province districts, and renamed as Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam's final struggle with independence is preserved in the Reunification Palace which symbolizes the reunion of the Northern and Southern divisions. The palace was the South Vietnamese government's symbol until the Northern Communists had won the war against the Americans.

Cultural Convergence

Despite its violent struggles in the past, Ho Chi Minh is home to a peaceful coexistence between Western and Eastern cultures. The city is home to many immigrants and expats, who can't help but call Saigon home. Various structures are reminiscent of the country's colonial past under the French and its ordeal under the Americans. Vietnam's Asian origins are seen in the National Ancestors Temple (Quoc To Temple) and the Nha Rong (Dragon House Wharf).

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