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 ÃÂá»Ânh is first built. The district was divided into 10 small subsets which were called wards (phðá»Âng) 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 Nguyá» n Huá» Boulevard and ÃÂá»Âng Khá»Âi 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.
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 Khá»Âi Nghéa 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 ÃÂá»Ânh) and Tá»± ÃÂức (later known as ÃÂa Kao of District 1 then now is the southern part of Tân ÃÂá»Ânh; both latter are named after major historical characters), and the second district had seven different wards which were Bến Thành, Huyá»Ân Sé (later merged into Bến Thành), Bùi Viá»Ân (later known as Phạm Ngà © Lão, District 1 and now is part of Bến Thành), Cầu ÃÂng Lãnh, Cầu Kho, Nguyá» n Cảnh Chân (later merged into Cầu Kho) and Nguyá» n Cð Trinh (all now are part of Cầu ÃÂng 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 Nguyá» n Thái Bình and ÃÂa Kao since corresponds to the Saigon ward.
District 1 was subdivided into ten wards, namely Bến Nghé, Bến Thành, Cô Giang, Cầu Kho, Cầu ÃÂng Lãnh, ÃÂa Kao, Nguyá» n Thái Bình, Nguyá» n Cð Trinh, Phạm Ngà © Lão and Tân ÃÂá»Ânh. Each ward had its own People's Committee, subordinate to the People's Committee of District 1.
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.
When Saigon was governed by South Vietnam, Air Vietnam's head office was located in District 1.
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 brands.
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.
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. Because District 1 is the city's central district, many foreign general consulates are located there.
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Many of the best 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.
Mostly grade A office towers of the city are located in District 1.
Buildings such as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the Saigon Opera House, the Central Post Office, the City Hall, Phạm Ngà © Lão Street, the former Republic of Vietnam President's Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts, Hotel Majestic, Tao Dan Park, and Rex Hotel are some of the most famous historical sights in District 1. Besides these places, most streets in District 1 built and designed since 1946 were completed by the French. Most of the buildings constructed since the French colonial era are still standing, with most having been recently renovated.
The Bitexco Financial Tower, completed in 2010, is a symbol of modernity mixed with cultural influences. The Bùi Viá»Ân and Nguyá» n Huá» districts are also interesting places for visitors.
The Landmark 81 became the tallest building of the city and the country in 2018.