Ho Chi Minh City vs Madrid - City Size Comparison

Is Ho Chi Minh City Bigger Than Madrid?

In terms of area, Ho Chi Minh City is 3.4x the size of Madrid. Ho Chi Minh City spans 2,061 km² (796 mi²) while Madrid covers 604 km² (233 mi²) — a difference of 1,457 km². You could fit Madrid inside Ho Chi Minh City approximately 3 times.

About Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam's largest city and economic center. 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 War Remnants Museum, Cu Chi Tunnels, Bến Thành Market, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the HCMC Metro (opening 2024).

The city was renamed from Saigon in 1976, but locals still commonly call it Saigon

About Madrid

Spain's capital and largest city. Also known as "The Capital of the Sun", Madrid has an area of 604 km² and is home to 3.3 million people. The city dates back to 852. Visitors come for Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Madrid Metro.

Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union at 650 meters above sea level

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Madrid metropolitan area covers 8,028 km², which is 3.9x larger than greater Ho Chi Minh City at 2,061 km². The Ho Chi Minh City metro area is also more populous, with 9.0 million people compared to 6.8 million.

Population Density

Ho Chi Minh City has a population density of 4,362 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Madrid, with 5,513 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Madrid is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Ho Chi Minh City has a tropical savanna climate while Madrid experiences hot-summer Mediterranean conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Ho Chi Minh City stays around 27°C while Madrid drops to 6°C. When it's noon in Ho Chi Minh City, it's 6:00 AM in Madrid — a 6-hour time difference.