Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh, formerly (until 1976) Saigon, largest city in Vietnam. It was the capital of the French protectorate of Cochinchina (1862–1954) and of South Vietnam (1954–75). The city lies along the Saigon River (Song Sai Gon) to the north of the Mekong River delta, about 50 miles (80 km) from the South China Sea. The commercial centre of Cho Lon lies immediately west of Ho Chi Minh City.