How Big Is Ho Chi Minh City?
Vietnam · Asia
Area
2,061 km²
796 mi²
Population
9.0M
Metro: 9.0M
Density
4,362/km²
Founded
1698
Ho Chi Minh City Size Overview
Ho Chi Minh City covers an area of 2,061 km² (796 mi²) in Vietnam, Asia. Municipality in Vietnam. The city is often called "Saigon". To put this in perspective, Ho Chi Minh City is roughly the same size as Tokyo (city proper). In more relatable units, that's about 289,000 American football fields, 35 times the area of Manhattan, or 20 times the area of Paris.
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is the most populous municipality of Vietnam, with a population of more than 14 million in 2025. Its geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the largest is Saigon River. As the largest financial centre in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has the largest gross regional domestic product out of all Vietnam provinces and municipalities, contributing around a quarter of the country's total GDP.
With a population of 9.0 million (9.0 million in the metropolitan area), Ho Chi Minh City has a population density of 4,362 people per km².
Ho Chi Minh City has a history stretching back to 1698. The city is renowned for Independence Palace, Bitexco Financial Tower, War Remnants Museum, and Ben Thanh Market.
Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate, with summer temperatures averaging 29°C and winters around 27°C. The city's main public transit system is the HCMC Metro (opening 2024).
Did You Know?
- Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest financial center and contributes around a quarter of the country's total GDP.
- Also known as Saigon, the city has a population of more than 14 million as of 2025.
- The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, with the Saigon River being the largest waterway.
Cities Similar in Size to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City covers 2,061 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Shenzhen (1,997 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), Riyadh (1,798 km²), Cape Town (2,455 km²), or Houston (1,725 km²).