Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Ho Chi Minh City & 1Mekong:
A Historical Gateway and a Regional Catalyst for the GMS Trade & Tourism Advancement Ecosystem
Ho Chi Minh City – From Historical Origins to a Regional Connector
With more than 325 years of history, Ho Chi Minh City has been shaped by a spirit of openness, trade, and regional connectivity—a legacy that underpins its role as a key connector within today’s Mekong ecosystem.
1698 – The Birth of an Open Trading City
In 1698, under the Nguyễn Lords, General Nguyen Huu Canh was appointed to administer the southern territories. This marked the emergence of Saigon – Gia Dinh as an open trading city, where river routes, coastal access, and early Mekong connections converged to form a dynamic urban foundation.
1911 – A Regional Point of Departure
Nha Rong Wharf. Source: Document / Vietnam News Agency
On June 5, 1911, from Nha Rong Wharf, Nguyen Tat Thanh embarked on a historic journey. This moment transformed the city into a symbolic point of departure, embedding Saigon within the broader currents of regional and global exchange.
1976 – A New Name, A National Economic Engine
Following national reunification, on July 2, 1976, Saigon was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City. From this milestone onward, the city emerged as Vietnam’s economic engine, its primary gateway for external relations, and the country’s leading center for services, trade, and tourism.
2025 – A Regional Mega City Emerges
From July 1, 2025, with the integration of Binh Duong province and Ba Ria–Vung Tau province, Ho Chi Minh City entered a new chapter as a multi-centered regional mega city—bringing together finance, manufacturing, logistics, deep-sea ports, and coastal tourism within a unified development space.
Once known as the “Pearl of the Far East,” the city continues to evolve into a connected urban hub, where historical legacy meets regional ambition.
Ho Chi Minh City in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)
Within the GMS - Greater Mekong Subregion, Ho Chi Minh City serves as:
- A historical gateway linking the Mekong to global markets
- A regional connector for trade, tourism, and enterprise networks
- A catalyst accelerating cross-border value chains and collaboration
From the city, flows of trade, tourism, investment, and innovation extend across the Mekong, reinforcing a connected and competitive regional ecosystem.
1Mekong.com – GMS Trade & Tourism Advancement Ecosystem
1Mekong.com is the GMS Trade & Tourism Advancement Ecosystem, designed to connect businesses, destinations, local authorities, and international partners within a shared regional collaboration platform.
With Ho Chi Minh City as its regional hub, 1Mekong.com functions as a connecting, facilitating, and amplifying ecosystem, enabling trade, tourism, and enterprise collaboration across the Mekong.
1Mekong.com is developed, managed, and operated by Gbi ecoz, acting as the platform builder and ecosystem operator, with a mission to strengthen regional connectivity and advance sustainable growth in the Mekong region.
