April 30, 1975 - an unforgettable historical milestone, when Saigon was officially liberated, closing the painful years of war and opening a new chapter: the chapter of construction, innovation and development. More than half a century has passed, the city named after Uncle Ho today has a new, more dynamic and modern appearance, but still retains its own unique color that cannot be mixed with anything else.
That 50-year journey is a vivid testament to the aspiration to rise and the strong vitality of a city that has gone through bombs and bullets. And now, on its development journey, Saigon is still writing the dream of a modern city in the heart of Vietnam.
From the land of bombs and bullets to the largest urban symbol of the country
Before 1975, Saigon was known as the pearl of the Far East, a bustling urban center, but also the front line of division, of war, of pain. Originally the place chosen to show off the wealth and power of the French colonialists, it later became a place of day and night warfare, a place that witnessed independence and freedom being completely established in the country. No longer divided into the North and South, no more bombs and bullets, on the day of liberation, Saigon was as happy as a festival, shaking off the remnants of war, starting a difficult journey of recovery and development when the roads were heavily peeled, the bridges were broken, the roofs were desolate...
And with an unyielding spirit, and a will to constantly create, Saigon gradually transformed itself. By the 80s and 90s, the city began to revive, with changes in economy and society. In the 2000s, the wave of investment, innovation, industrialization and modernization came to the city, bringing a strong vitality to Saigon. And today, after 50 years, Ho Chi Minh City has risen to become the economic locomotive of the country, a place where technology, knowledge, culture and tourism converge.
Clear changes after 50 years
The urban appearance changes every day
After 50 years of liberation, Saigon has taken on a new look - modern, vibrant and full of life. From the small roads of the past, it is now an expanded transportation system with belt roads, inter-regional highways, and inter-provincial bus stations bustling day and night. The metro line - a symbol of modern urban infrastructure progress - has been put into use, opening a new step forward in transportation. Tan Son Nhat Airport is also being expanded, ready to welcome the wave of global integration and trade.
In addition, new urban areas such as Thu Thiem, Cat Lai, Sala or Vinhomes ... are constantly expanding, creating modern living spaces with systematic planning, interspersed with green trees, balancing development and sustainability. Areas that used to be vacant land and alluvial land have now become golden lands, where people can enjoy a high quality of life in the heart of the city.
And standing out in the city sky are skyscrapers such as Landmark 81, Bitexco - not only symbols of development but also the aspiration to rise and reach far of a youthful, always moving city. In addition, historical symbolic works that have gone through the development of the city such as Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, City Post Office, ... are always focused on preservation, restoration and repair to live forever with time.
Seen from above, Saigon is a bright map with the most dynamic and powerful urbanization system in Vietnam - a city that never sleeps, constantly growing with the times.
People's lives are increasingly improving
After 50 years, the quality of life of Saigon people has made remarkable progress. The standard of living has improved significantly, the average income per capita has increased every year, creating conditions for people to invest more in education, health and spiritual life.
According to data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the income of people living in Saigon has increased significantly from 2010 to now. Specifically, by the end of 2022, the average income per capita was at 6.3 million VND/month, an increase of nearly 4 million VND compared to the same period in 2010.
The increase in income also led to an increase in the quality of education and health care. The most obvious evidence is the emergence of many high-quality schools, hospitals and service centers. At the same time, modern technology services are also developing strongly, bringing convenience and quick connection to urban life.
Not only that, cultural, artistic and entertainment activities have also become more vibrant than ever. From outdoor music nights, art exhibitions, theaters, to bustling pedestrian streets with lights - all have contributed to turning Saigon into a city that never sleeps, where life is always moving, bustling and inspiring.
Living in peace - a priceless gift
Fifty years of bombs and bullets, no more gunfire, that is fifty years of peace exchanged for the blood and bones of many previous generations.
Fifty years – long enough for a generation to grow up without having to flee, without hearing the sound of bombs falling, without ever living in a state of displacement. For them, war is fortunately just a line in history books, a story told by grandparents and parents. They grew up in a city that is reviving, growing and shining every day. Today’s Saigon is a city where young people can freely choose their dreams, freely study, work, and create – without limits, without barriers. It is a city where you can sit in a small coffee shop, amidst the bustling traffic, and still feel peace in your heart.
Today's beautiful mornings have been exchanged for years of gray skies, the air filled with the smell of gunpowder, smoke, and dust from bombs
Because peace is not just the silence of gunfire, but also life - a full life, with freedom, opportunity, love, and hope. The simple moments every day - waking up early in the morning to exercise in a green park, watching an outdoor movie at the Youth Cultural House in the evening, or wandering through Book Street on a weekend afternoon - all are beautiful and silent proofs of the sacred value that peace brings.
So how can we not love, not cherish independence - freedom - happiness
Love the present Saigon so much
Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years of liberation, is not just a story of GDP numbers, high-rise buildings or billion-dollar projects. It is also a story of faith, of memories, of people and what they have built together.
A city once devastated by war, now brightly lit, bustling with laughter and voices, full of development opportunities for those who dare to live, dare to dream and dare to pursue happiness.
Thank you, peace. Thank you Saigon. And thank you to the people who have kept moving forward.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen, Kien Trang - Content: Giang Huynh - Design: Phuong Nguyen