# District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

District 1 (Quận 1, Quận Một, Quận Nhất or Quận Nhứt) is the central urban district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. With a total area of 7.7211 km$^2$ (2.9811 sq mi) the district has a population of 204,899 people as of 2010. 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.

## 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 Bến Nghé, Hòa Bình, Trần Quang Khải and Tự Đức (named after major historical characters), and the second district had seven different wards which were Bến Thành, Bùi Viện, Cầu Kho, Cầu Ông Lãnh, Huyện Sĩ, Nguyễn Cảnh Chân and Nguyễn Cư Trinh. In May 1976 the first and second districts 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.

## 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 total area of the district is 7.7211 km$^2$ (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/km$^2$ (8,860/sq mi)) and Vietnam (259/km$^2$ (670/sq mi)) respectively.
District 1 is located towards the center of Ho Chi Minh City. The district is bordered to the north by Bình Thạnh District and Phú Nhuận District with the Thị Nghè canal as the border, District 3 to the west with Hai Bà Trưng street and Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai street as the border, Thủ Đức city to the east with the Saigon River as the border, District 5 to the southwest with Nguyễn Văn Cừ street as the border, and District 4 to the south, with the Bến Nghé canal as a border.

## Economy

When Saigon was governed by South Vietnam, Air Vietnam's head office was located in District 1.
District 1 is considered the financial center of Saigon and Vietnam. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, State Bank of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City branch), and Vietnamese headquarters of international banks such as HSBC, ANZ (sold retail business in Vietnam to Shinhan), 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.
District 1 was effectively shutdown for tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, causing many restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels, to suffer major financial distress.

## 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 general consulates are located there.
| The Consulate of Australia | Level 20, Vincom Center 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Cambodia | 41 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Canada | Suite 1002, Level 10, The Metropolitan, 235 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of China | 175 Hai Bà Trưng, Võ Thị Sáu Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Cuba | 45 Phùng khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of the Czech Republic | 28 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of France | 27 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Germany | Level 4, Deutsches Haus, 33 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, Disitrct 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Hungary | 22 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Indonesia | 18 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Italy | 17 Lê Duẩn Ward, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Laos | 93 Pasteur, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Malaysia | 2 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of New Zealand | Suite 804, Level 8, The Metropolitan, 235 Đồng Khởi Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Japan | 261 Điện Biên Phủ, Võ Thị Sáu Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Panama | 7A Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Poland | 2 Trần Cao Vân, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Singapore | Room 5-Level 11, Saigon Centre Tower 2, 67 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of South Korea | 107 Nguyễn Du, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Sweden | 8A/11 D1 Lầu 5 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of Switzerland | 2 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of the United Kingdom | 25 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Consulate of the United States of America | 4 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
Notes
* ↑ Hai Ba Trung Street is the boundary between District 1 and District 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

| Name | Address | Notes |
| 20/10 | 85A Nguyễn Trãi | |
| 30/4 | 174-176 Pasteur | |
| Baby | 31A Lý Tự Trọng | |
| Bến Thành | 87 Sương Nguyệt Anh | |
| Asia-Pacific | 26/6 Nguyễn Bĩnh Khiêm | |
| Bé Ngoan | 108 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu | |
| Cô Giang | 50 Hồ Hảo Hớn | |
| Hoa Lan | 541 Trần Hưng Đạo | |
| Hoa Lư | 1 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm | |
| Nguyễn Cư Trinh | 122 Trần Đình Xu | |
| Nguyễn Thái Bình | 121-123 Ng Thái Bình | |
| Nemo | 14V Nguyễn Đình Chiểu | |
| Panda | 18 Phan Kế Bính | |
| Phạm Ngũ Lão | 329 Phạm Ngũ Lão | |
| Hoa Quỳnh | 34 Nguyễn Phi Khanh | |
| Lê Thị Riêng | 39 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu | |
| Sân Lá Cọ - Stamford Grammar | 4Bis Phùng Khắc Khoan | |
| Tân Định | 26 Đặng Dung | |
| Tuổi Hồng | 21 Yersin | |
| Tuổi Thơ | 97 Nguyễn Du | |
| Chuyên biệt Tương Lai | 27A Trần Nhật Duật | International citizens |
| Dân lập Mạnh Mẫu | 96 Thạch Thị Thanh | International citizens |
| Ngôi nhà nhỏ | 16 Phan Liêm | International citizens |
| Sapa | 1 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh | International citizens |

### Primary School

| Name | Address |
| Chương Dương Primary School | 494 Võ Văn Kiệt Street, Cầu Kho, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Đinh Tiên Hoàng Primary School | 67 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Đa Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Đuốc Sống Primary School | Campus 1: 2 Đinh Công Tráng Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Campus 2: 96 Thạch Thị Thanh Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Hoà Bình Primary School | No.1 Commune Paris Square, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Kết Đoàn Primary School | 2B Lương Hữu Khánh Street, Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Khai Minh Primary School | 44 Phó Đức Chính Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Lê Ngọc Hân Primary School | 12 Sương Nguyệt Anh Street, Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Lương Thế Vinh Primary School | 116 Cô Giang Street, Cô Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Primary School | 2 Bis Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Nguyễn Huệ Primary School | 93-95A Lê Thị Riêng Street, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Nguyễn Thái Bình Primary School | 105 Nguyễn Thái Bình Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Nguyễn Thái Học Primary School | 71 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Cầu Ông Lãnh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Phan Văn Trị Primary School | 43 Phạm Viết Chánh Street, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Trần Hưng Đạo Primary School | 81 Trần Đình Xu Street, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Trần Khánh Dư Primary School | 181 Hoàng Sa Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| Trần Quang Khải Primary School | Campus 1: 68/29B Trần Quang Khải Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Campus 2: 60 Võ Thị Sáu Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |
| The Asian International School | 41/3- 41/4 Bis Trần Nhật Duật Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City |

### High school

| Name | Established | Address | School type | Website |
| Trần Đại Nghĩa High School for the Gifted (formerly La San Taberd Institute, Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical School and Ho Chi Minh City Primary School of Pedagogy (as Campus 2) - Central Pedagogy College Ho Chi Minh City) | 1874 - 1976 (La San Taberd Institute) 1976 - 2000 (Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical School and Ho Chi Minh City Primary School of Pedagogy (as Campus 2) - Central Pedagogy College Ho Chi Minh City) 2000 - Now | Campus 1: Gate 1: 20 Lý Tự Trọng street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Gate 2: 53 Nguyễn Du street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Campus 2: 2/6A Lương Định Của street, An Khánh Ward, Thủ Đức, Ho Chi Minh City. | Public, High school, Secondary school, Gifted education, co-ed | Homepage |
| Bùi Thị Xuân High School (formerly Nguyễn Bá Tòng School) | 1956 - 1978 (Nguyễn Bá Tòng School) 1978 - Now | 73-75 Bùi Thị Xuân street, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Public, High school, co-ed | Homepage |
| Lương Thế Vinh High School | 2004 - Now | 131 Cô Bắc street, Cô Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Public, High school, Secondary school, co-ed | Homepage |
| Trưng Vương High School (formerly Trưng Vương Sài Gòn High School for Women) | 1954 - 1975 (Trưng Vương Sài Gòn High School for Women) 1975 - Now | 3A Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Public, High school, co-ed | Homepage |
| Ernst Thälmann High School (formerly Chợ Đũi kindergarten for Local Girls, Tôn Thọ Tường Primary School for Girls, Phan Văn Trị Primary School, Cô Giang Secondary School) | 1931 - 1950 (Chợ Đũi kindergarten for Local Girls) 1950 - 1954 (Tôn Thọ Tường Primary School for Girls) 1954 - 1962 (Phan Văn Trị Primary School) 1962 - 1979 (Cô Giang Secondary School) 1979 - Now | 8 Trần Hưng Đạo street, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Semi-public, High school, co-ed | Homepage |
| High School for Gifted Sports and Physical Education | 2002 - Now | 43 Điện Biên Phủ street, Đa Kao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Public, High school, Sports school, co-ed | Homepage |
| The Asian International School (Thái Văn Lung Campus and Trần Nhật Duật Campus 1 and 3 ) | 1999 - Now (Primary School - IPS) 2002 - Now (High School - AHS) | Thái Văn Lung Campus: 2 Bis Thái Văn Lung Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Trần Nhật Duật Campus 1 and 3: 29-33 and 39C Trần Nhật Duật Street, Tân Định Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Trần Nhật Duật Campus 2: 41/3 - 41/4 Bis Trần Nhật Duật Street, Tân Định Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Private, High school (only in Thái Văn Lung Campus), Secondary school, Primary school, co-ed | Homepage |
| Asia Pacific College | 2006 - Now | 33 C-D-E Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. | Private, High school, Primary school, Kindergarten, co-ed | Homepage Archived 2019-11-28 at the Wayback Machine |

### University

| Name | Established | Address |
| Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology | - | 11 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu street |
| Hoa Sen University | - | 8 Nguyễn Văn Tráng |
| Conservatory of Ho Chi Minh City | - | 112 Nguyễn Du |
| Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities | 1955 | 10 - 12 Đinh Tiên Hoàng |
| Faculty of Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University | - | 41 Đinh Tiên Hoàng |
| Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City | - | 125 Cống Quỳnh |

## Office buildings

Mostly grade A office towers of the city are located in District 1.
| Name | Address |
| Bitexco Financial Tower | 2 Hải Triều Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Central Plaza | 17 Lê Duẩn Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Citilight Tower | 45 Võ Thị Sáu Street, District 1, HCMC |
| CJ Building | 2-4-6 Lê Thánh Tôn Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Deutsches Haus | 33 Lê Duẩn Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Diamond Plaza | 34 Lê Duẩn Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, HCMC |
| HD Tower | 25bis Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, District 1, HCMC |
| HMC Tower | 193 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Havana Tower | 132 Hàm Nghi Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Marina Central Tower | 2 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Melinh Point Tower | 2 Ngô Đức Kế Street, District 1, HCMC |
| mPlaza Saigon | 39 Lê Duẩn Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Opera View | 161 Đồng Khởi Street, District 1, HCMC |
| President Place | 93 Nguyễn Du Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Riverside Place | 3C Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Ruby Tower | 81 – 85 Hàm Nghi Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Saigon Centre | 65 Lê Lợi Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Saigon Tower | 29 Lê Duẩn Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Saigon Finance | 9 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Saigon Times Square | 22 – 36 Nguyễn Huệ Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Saigon Trade Center | 37 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Sailing Tower | 111A Pasteur Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Sunwah Tower | 115 Nguyễn Huệ Street, District 1, HCMC |
| The Green Power Tower | 35 Tôn Đức Thắng Street, District 1, HCMC |
| TNR Tower | 180-192 Nguyễn Công Trứ Street, District 1, HCMC |
| Vietcombank Tower | 5 Mê Linh Square, District 1, HCMC |
| Zen Plaza | 54-56 Nguyễn Trãi Street, 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, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, Hotel Majestic, Tao Dan Park, 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.
* Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon
* Independence Palace
* Rex Hotel
* Saigon Central Post Office
* Ho Chi Minh City Hall
* Saigon Opera House
* Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

### 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 Bùi Viện and Nguyễn Huệ districts are also interesting places for visitors.
Nowadays, the Landmark 81 has also become another attractions since 2018. Additionally, it has become the tallest building in the city.