What is the population of Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has a city population of 14,002,598. That is the population within the city's own boundary, not its wider metropolitan area. City population, GeoNames.
City profile · Vietnam · Asia
Ho Chi Minh City
City population
14,002,598
#1
in Vietnam
#1
in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
#8
worldwide
10.823, 106.630 · 1,137 km from Hanoi
About Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is Vietnam's largest city and economic hub, with over 9 million people in the city proper and 13 million in the metropolitan area. Located in southern Vietnam, this dynamic city has transformed from war-torn past to become one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant and fastest-growing economies. The city blends French colonial architecture, traditional Vietnamese culture, and modern skyscrapers.
Metro population
9,077,000
0.109% of world population
Archive estimateAnnual growth
+2.25%
Archive estimateDensity
4,403/km²
2,061 km² metro area
Key Facts
Country
Region
Rank in region
#1of 28
Founded
1976
Leadership
Nguyễn Văn Được
Coordinates
10.823, 106.630
Record updated
19 October 2025
Entry edited, not measured
City population, GeoNames. GeoNames publishes no year for its population figures, so “record updated” is when the entry was last edited — not the date the population was measured. Elevation is modelled from a digital elevation model rather than surveyed, so it is approximate.
Nearby Cities
All 301 in VietnamClosest listed cities by great-circle distance from the city centre.
Compared with the World's Largest Cities
City-proper population against the fifteen largest cities in the dataset.
| Name | City population |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 24.9M |
| Beijing | 19M |
| Shenzhen | 17.5M |
| Guangzhou | 16.1M |
| Kinshasa | 16M |
| Istanbul | 15.7M |
| Lagos | 15.4M |
| Ho Chi Minh City | 14M |
| Chengdu | 13.6M |
| Lahore | 13M |
| Mumbai | 12.7M |
| São Paulo | 12.4M |
| Mexico City | 12.3M |
| Karachi | 11.6M |
| Tianjin | 11.1M |
Airports
Scheduled-service airports within 100 km, nearest first.
- Tan Son Nhat International AirportSGN
2 km from the city centre
Source: OurAirports, matched by distance.
History
Originally a small fishing village, the area was incorporated into Vietnam in the 17th century. Saigon became the capital of French Cochinchina in 1859 and was developed with European-style boulevards and architecture. During the Vietnam War, Saigon was the capital of South Vietnam and home to US military operations. The city fell to North Vietnamese forces on April 30, 1975, ending the war, and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after Vietnam's revolutionary leader.
Economy
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's economic engine, contributing about 25% of national GDP. Key sectors include manufacturing (electronics, textiles, footwear), finance, tourism, IT, and services. The city has attracted massive foreign investment, particularly from South Korea, Japan, and Singapore. High-tech parks and startup ecosystems are growing rapidly. The city's port handles the majority of Vietnam's exports.
Culture
Ho Chi Minh City's culture blends Vietnamese traditions with French, Chinese, and American influences from its complex history. Street food is legendary—pho, banh mi, and Vietnamese coffee are staples. The city has a thriving nightlife scene and cafe culture. Traditional water puppetry, temples, and pagodas coexist with modern galleries and performance spaces. Lunar New Year (Tet) is celebrated extensively.
Transportation
Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its sea of motorbikes—over 8 million are registered in the city. The first metro line is under construction (expected 2024). Buses and taxis are available, along with ride-hailing (Grab). Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Vietnam's busiest. Crossing the street requires walking steadily while traffic flows around you—a unique experience for visitors.
Current Challenges
The city faces challenges including severe traffic congestion, flooding during monsoon season (exacerbated by climate change and subsidence), air pollution from motorbikes and construction, and rapid development threatening historic architecture. Infrastructure struggles to keep pace with growth. Rising sea levels pose a long-term threat to this low-lying city.
Highlights
Landmarks & Attractions
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
- Central Post Office
- Reunification Palace (former Presidential Palace)
- War Remnants Museum
- Ben Thanh Market
- Cu Chi Tunnels (nearby)
- Bitexco Financial Tower
- Jade Emperor Pagoda
- Saigon Opera House
What Ho Chi Minh City Is Known For
- Vietnam War history
- Street food
- Coffee culture
- Motorbike traffic
- Economic growth
- French colonial architecture
Universities
- Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City
- Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
- University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City
- RMIT Vietnam
Sports Teams
- Ho Chi Minh City FC
- Saigon FC
Interesting Facts
- Ho Chi Minh City has over 8 million registered motorbikes—nearly one per resident
- The Cu Chi Tunnels network stretches over 250 km and was used during the Vietnam War
- Vietnamese coffee culture began under French colonialism, with iced coffee (ca phe sua da) now iconic
- The city was briefly called 'Prey Nokor' when part of the Khmer Empire
- Despite the name change, locals still commonly refer to the city as 'Saigon'
- The Central Post Office was designed by Gustave Eiffel's team
Population Trend in Vietnam
No free source publishes city population back to 1950, so the parent country's series is shown instead.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 25,100,738 |
| 1960 | 32,531,933 |
| 1970 | 41,475,230 |
| 1980 | 52,490,101 |
| 1990 | 65,504,552 |
| 2000 | 77,154,011 |
| 2010 | 87,455,152 |
| 2020 | 98,079,191 |
| 2030 | 104,254,902 |
| 2040 | 108,437,635 |
| 2050 | 110,008,908 |
| 2060 | 108,396,977 |
| 2070 | 105,260,846 |
| 2080 | 101,038,822 |
| 2090 | 96,406,988 |
| 2100 | 91,705,108 |
Ho Chi Minh City Population FAQ
Where is Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, 1,137 km from the capital, Hanoi. Its coordinates are 10.823, 106.630.
How big is Ho Chi Minh City compared with other cities in Vietnam?
It is the 1st largest of the 301 cities listed in Vietnam, holding 13.8% of the national population.