District 1 () was the central urban district of Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. With a total area of the district had a population of 204,899 people in 2010. It is the historical birthplace of the city, where the Citadel of Gia Định is first built. The district was divided into 10 small subsets which were called wards (phường) prior to the 2025 administrative reforms.
Although it has been dissolved, "District 1" is still colloquially referred for the city's central business district, an area including several central wards in the city that was part of the district, it contained most of the city's administrative offices, consulates, and iconic buildings. District 1 was the busiest district in the city with the highest living standards with Nguyễn Huệ Boulevard and Đồng Khởi Street, the city's two main shopping streets, the latter is the highest demand area for real estate in the city and the whole nation, hitting a record price of $50,000 per square meter in 2007 and topping the charts of most expensive streets in the nation for years.HCMC city government
History District 1 and the other seven districts of Ho Chi Minh City were founded on May 27, 1959. Before 1975, District 1 was divided into 2 different districts and divided by Công Lý Street (it is Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa Street nowadays and it is the borderline of two central wards of the city are Saigon and Bến Thành), the first district on the east side of the street only had four small subsets (wards) which were Bến Nghé, Hòa Bình, Trần Quang Khải (now is known as the northern part of Tân Định) and Tự Đức (later known as Đa Kao of District 1 then now is the southern part of Tân Định; both latter are named after major historical characters), and the second district had seven different wards which were Bến Thành, Huyện Sĩ (later merged into Bến Thành), Bùi Viện (later known as Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1 and now is part of Bến Thành), Cầu Ông Lãnh, Cầu Kho, Nguyễn Cảnh Chân (later merged into Cầu Kho) and Nguyễn Cư Trinh (all now are part of Cầu Ông Lãnh since July 2025). In May 1976 the first and second districts were combined into District 1. On 1 July 2025, the districts of Ho Chi Minh City were abolished, and District 1 central area which are former Bến Nghé ward with part of Nguyễn Thái Bình and Đa Kao since corresponds to the Saigon ward.
Administration District 1 was subdivided into ten wards, namely Bến Nghé, Bến Thành, Cô Giang, Cầu Kho, Cầu Ông Lãnh, Đa Kao, Nguyễn Thái Bình, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, Phạm Ngũ Lão and Tân Định. Each ward had its own People's Committee, subordinate to the People's Committee of District 1.
Demographic and geographical features District 1 had a population of 204,899 people over the total of 7,162,864 in Ho Chi Minh City. The total area of the district was . The district's density was , very high compared to Ho Chi Minh City () and Vietnam () respectively.
District 1 was located towards the center of Ho Chi Minh City.
Economy When Saigon was governed by South Vietnam, Air Vietnam's head office was located in District 1."World Airline Directory." Flight International. 10 April 1969. 557. "Head Office: 116 Boulevard Nguyen-Hue. Saigon. South Vietnam."
District 1 is considered the financial center of Saigon and Vietnam. It is home to the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, State Bank of Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City branch), and Vietnamese headquarters of international banks such as HSBC, ANZ (sold retail business in Vietnam to Shinhan, currently located at Thủ Thiêm), United Overseas Bank, Standard Chartered, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of China, and Maybank. District 1 also known as the best spot for shopping in Vietnam, with a high concentration of shopping centres and luxury brand stores, such as: Rex Arcade, Saigon Centre Mall (featuring Takashimaya), Vincom Center Đồng Khởi, Union Square Saigon, Lotte Department Store – Diamond Plaza and Now Zone Fashion Mall.
District 1 was effectively shutdown for tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, causing many restaurants, bars, clubs, and hotels, to suffer major financial distress.
Consulates Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's biggest and busiest city, with a large population of immigrants from around the world living and working there. As District 1 is the city's central district, many foreign general consulates are located there. The Consulate of Australia Level 20, Vincom Center 47 Lý Tự Trọng, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Cambodia 41 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Canada Suite 1002, Level 10, The Metropolitan, 235 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of China 175 Hai Bà Trưng, Võ Thị Sáu Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Cuba 45 Phùng khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh CityThe Consulate of the Czech Republic28 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of France 27 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh CityThe Consulate of GermanyLevel 4, Deutsches Haus, 33 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, Disitrct 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Hungary 22 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Indonesia 18 Phùng Khắc Khoan, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Italy 17 Lê Duẩn Ward, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Laos 93 Pasteur, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Malaysia 2 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of New Zealand Suite 804, Level 8, The Metropolitan, 235 Đồng Khởi Street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Japan 261 Điện Biên Phủ, Võ Thị Sáu Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Panama 7A Lê Thánh Tôn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Poland 2 Trần Cao Vân, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Singapore Room 5-Level 11, Saigon Centre Tower 2, 67 Lê Lợi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of South Korea 107 Nguyễn Du, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Sweden 8A/11 D1 Lầu 5 Thái Văn Lung, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of Switzerland 2 Ngô Đức Kế, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of the United Kingdom 25 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Consulate of the United States of America 4 Lê Duẩn, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Notes
Education Many of the public schools in the city are located in District 1. Vietnam's system of private schools is relatively new and is still in the developing stage.
Kindergarten Name Address Notes 20/10 85A Nguyễn Trãi 30/4 174-176 Pasteur Baby 31A Lý Tự Trọng Bến Thành 87 Sương Nguyệt Anh Asia-Pacific 26/6 Nguyễn Bĩnh Khiêm Bé Ngoan 108 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Cô Giang 50 Hồ Hảo Hớn Hoa Lan 541 Trần Hưng Đạo Hoa Lư 1 Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Nguyễn Cư Trinh 122 Trần Đình Xu Nguyễn Thái Bình 121-123 Ng Thái Bình Nemo 14V Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Panda 18 Phan Kế Bính Phạm Ngũ Lão 329 Phạm Ngũ Lão Hoa Quỳnh 34 Nguyễn Phi Khanh Lê Thị Riêng 39 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Sân Lá Cọ - Stamford Grammar 4Bis Phùng Khắc Khoan Tân Định 26 Đặng Dung Tuổi Hồng 21 Yersin Tuổi Thơ 97 Nguyễn Du Chuyên biệt Tương Lai 27A Trần Nhật Duật International citizens Dân lập Mạnh Mẫu 96 Thạch Thị Thanh International citizens Ngôi nhà nhỏ 16 Phan Liêm International citizens Sapa 1 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh International citizens
Primary School NameDANH SÁCH CÁC ĐƠN VỊ TIỂU HỌC, PHÒNG GD&ĐT QUẬN 1 Address Notes Chương Dương Primary School 494 Võ Văn Kiệt Street, Cầu Kho, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Đinh Tiên Hoàng Primary School 67 Đinh Tiên Hoàng Street, Đa Kao, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Đuốc Sống Primary School Campus 1: 2 Đinh Công Tráng Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Campus 2: 96 Thạch Thị Thanh Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Hoà Bình Primary School No.1 Commune Paris Square, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Kết Đoàn Primary School 2B Lương Hữu Khánh Street, Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Khai Minh Primary School 44 Phó Đức Chính Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Lê Ngọc Hân Primary School 12 Sương Nguyệt Anh Street, Phạm Ngũ Lão, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Lương Thế Vinh Primary School 116 Cô Giang Street, Cô Giang, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Primary School 2 Bis Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm Street, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Nguyễn Huệ Primary School 93-95A Lê Thị Riêng Street, Bến Thành, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Nguyễn Thái Bình Primary School 105 Nguyễn Thái Bình Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Nguyễn Thái Học Primary School 71 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Cầu Ông Lãnh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Phan Văn Trị Primary School 43 Phạm Viết Chánh Street, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Trần Hưng Đạo Primary School 81 Trần Đình Xu Street, Nguyễn Cư Trinh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Trần Khánh Dư Primary School 181 Hoàng Sa Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Trần Quang Khải Primary School Campus 1: 68/29B Trần Quang Khải Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Campus 2: 60 Võ Thị Sáu Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City The Asian International School 41/3- 41/4 Bis Trần Nhật Duật Street, Tân Định, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
High school Name Established Address School type Website Trần Đại Nghĩa High School for the Gifted (formerly La San Taberd Institute, Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical School and Ho Chi Minh City Primary School of Pedagogy (as Campus 2) - Central Pedagogy College Ho Chi Minh City)Giới thiệu trường Trần Đại Nghĩa, Website Trường THPT Chuyên Trần Đại Nghĩa TPHCM1874 - 1976 (La San Taberd Institute)
1976 - 2000 (Ho Chi Minh City Pedagogical School and Ho Chi Minh City Primary School of Pedagogy (as Campus 2) - Central Pedagogy College Ho Chi Minh City)LƯỢC SỬ THÀNH LẬP TRƯỜNG, Website Trung học Thực Hành Sài Gòn
2000 - Now Campus 1: Gate 1: 20 Lý Tự Trọng street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Gate 2: 53 Nguyễn Du street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
Campus 2:
2/6A Lương Định Của street, An Khánh Ward, Thủ Đức, Ho Chi Minh City. Public, High school, Secondary school, Gifted education, co-ed Homepage Bùi Thị Xuân High School (formerly Nguyễn Bá Tòng School)Giới thiệu Kỷ yếu Trường THPT Bùi Thị Xuân - 60 năm xây dựng và phát triển, Website TRƯỜNG THPT BÙI THỊ XUÂN 1956 - 1978 (Nguyễn Bá Tòng School) 1978 - Now73-75 Bùi Thị Xuân street, Phạm Ngũ Lão Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Public, High school, co-ed Homepage Lương Thế Vinh High School2004 - Now Kỷ niệm 10 năm ngày thành lập Trường THPT Lương Thế Vinh (TP.HCM): Con số của sự tròn đầy, Website Báo Giáo dục Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh | giaoduc.edu.vn 131 Cô Bắc street, Cô Giang Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.Public, High school, Secondary school, co-ed Homepage Trưng Vương High School (formerly Trưng Vương Sài Gòn High School for Women)THPT Trưng Vương - ngôi trường cổ kính đầy thơ mộng, Website Báo Pháp Luật TP. Hồ Chí Minh | PLO.VN 1954 - 1975 (Trưng Vương Sài Gòn High School for Women) 1975 - Now 3A Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm street, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.Public, High school, co-ed Homepage Ernst Thälmann High School (formerly Chợ Đũi kindergarten for Local Girls, Tôn Thọ Tường Primary School for Girls, Phan Văn Trị Primary School, Cô Giang Secondary School)Date With the Wrecking Ball: Ernst Thälmann Secondary School, SAIGON 1950s. Published on Monday, 09 May 2016 - Written by Tim Doling.Sài Gòn Xưa, Published on 04 July 2018 - Written by Sài Gòn Xưa. 1931 - 1950 (Chợ Đũi kindergarten for Local Girls)
1950 - 1954 (Tôn Thọ Tường Primary School for Girls)
1954 - 1962 (Phan Văn Trị Primary School)
1962 - 1979 (Cô Giang Secondary School)