Ho Chi Minh City
2,061 km²
Lima
2,672 km²
Vietnam
Peru
Area Comparison
Ho Chi Minh City is 1.3x smaller than Lima
Population Comparison
Ho Chi Minh City has 1.1x fewer people than Lima
Yes — Lima is 1.3x larger than Ho Chi Minh City by area. Lima spans 2,672 km² (1,032 mi²) while Ho Chi Minh City covers 2,061 km² (796 mi²) — a difference of 611 km².
To put Ho Chi Minh City's size in perspective, its area of 2,061 km² is roughly the same size as Tokyo (city proper). Meanwhile, Lima at 2,672 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg.
Picture Ho Chi Minh City another way: its area is large enough to fit about 289,000 American football fields, 35 times the area of Manhattan, or 20 times the area of Paris. Lima, by comparison, equals about 374,000 American football fields, 45 times the area of Manhattan, or 25 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.
Known as "Saigon", Ho Chi Minh City covers 2,061 km² with a population of 9.0 million. The city was established in 1698. Ho Chi Minh City is known for Independence Palace, Bitexco Financial Tower, War Remnants Museum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the HCMC Metro (opening 2024).
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest financial center and contributes around a quarter of the country's total GDP.
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru, as well as a primate city. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city is considered the political, cultural, financial and commercial center of Peru. Due to its geostrategic importance, the Globalization and World Cities Research Network has categorized it as a "beta" tier city.
Also known as "City of Kings", Lima has an area of 2,672 km² and is home to 9.9 million people. It was established in 1535. Visitors come for Plaza Mayor de Lima, Miraflores district, Larco Museum, and much more.
Lima sprawls across the desert valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín Rivers along Peru's Pacific coast.
Ho Chi Minh City has a population density of 4,362 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Lima, with 3,720 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Ho Chi Minh City is slightly more compact.
Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate while Lima experiences desert climate conditions.
History
Lima is ~163 years older
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).
Lima covers 2,672 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Moscow (2,511 km²), Cape Town (2,455 km²), Cairo (3,085 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), or Hanoi (3,359 km²).
The straight-line distance from Ho Chi Minh City to Lima is 19,592 km (12,174 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~23h 33m.
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