# Saigon

> historical city at the center of present-day Ho Chi Minh City until its merger with Cholon in 1956

**Wikidata**: [Q105076326](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105076326)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saigon

## Summary
Saigon was a historical city and major urban settlement located in French Indochina, serving as the central hub of what is now Ho Chi Minh City. It functioned as the capital of several political entities, including South Vietnam and French Indochina, until its administrative dissolution on October 22, 1956. The city ceased to exist as a distinct entity following its merger with Cholon.

## Key Facts
*   **Definition:** Historical city and large human settlement (class: city).
*   **Location:** Situated in French Indochina at coordinates 10.802222222222, 106.69694444444.
*   **Inception:** Estimated founding in 1700; formally established on May 13, 1862.
*   **Dissolution:** Abolished or dissolved on October 22, 1956.
*   **Succession:** Merged with Cholon in 1956 to form a new administrative unit; part of the administrative history of Ho Chi Minh City.
*   **Capital Status:** Served as the capital of French Cochinchina, French Indochina, and South Vietnam (1955–1976).
*   **Sovereignty:** Belonged to French Indochina (1877–1945), the State of Vietnam (1949–1955), and South Vietnam (1955–1956).
*   **Identifiers:** GeoNames ID 11494864; BBC Things ID 1e523bd8-bca5-4e55-8397-a78c782e5091.
*   **Images:** Associated with Bến Thành Market and the Cao Dai Temple of Saigon.

## FAQs
**What was the capital status of Saigon?**
Saigon served as the capital for three distinct entities: French Cochinchina, French Indochina, and South Vietnam. Its status as the capital of South Vietnam extended from 1955 until 1976.

**When was Saigon founded and dissolved?**
While its inception is estimated at the year 1700, the preferred date for its formal establishment is May 13, 1862. The city was administratively dissolved on October 22, 1956.

**How does Saigon relate to present-day Ho Chi Minh City?**
Saigon was the historical center of present-day Ho Chi Minh City until it merged with the neighboring city of Cholon in 1956. It is now considered part of the administrative history of Ho Chi Minh City.

## Why It Matters
Saigon holds significant historical importance as a central political and urban hub in Southeast Asia during the 19th and 20th centuries. As the capital of French Indochina and later South Vietnam, it was a primary seat of administration and power during periods of colonial rule and conflict. Its administrative merger with Cholon in 1956 marked a critical reorganization of urban governance in Vietnam, leading to the modern configuration of Ho Chi Minh City. The city's history is documented in academic and encyclopedic sources such as *The Nuttall Encyclopædia* and the Yale Lux database.

## Notable For
*   Serving as the capital of French Indochina and South Vietnam.
*   Being the predecessor entity to the central part of modern Ho Chi Minh City.
*   Its merger with Cholon, a major event in the administrative history of the region.
*   Housing distinct landmarks such as the Bến Thành Market and the Cao Dai Temple.
*   Possessing a formal coat of arms (Coat_of_Arms_Saigon.svg).

## Body

### Historical Status and Administration
Saigon was classified as a city and a large human settlement. It played a central role in the region's governance, serving as the capital of French Cochinchina and French Indochina. Following the division of Vietnam, it became the capital of the State of Vietnam (1949–1955) and subsequently South Vietnam starting in 1955. Although the city entity itself was dissolved in 1956, its function as the capital of South Vietnam is noted to have continued until 1976.

The city's administrative life began with an inception estimated at 1700, though May 13, 1862, is recorded as the most probable formal value. It existed as a distinct city until October 22, 1956, when it was abolished and merged with Cholon. This merger resulted in the entity being "replaced by Saigon" (in a new administrative context) and becoming a component of the administrative history of Ho Chi Minh City.

### Geography and Location
The city was geographically located in French Indochina. Its specific coordinates were latitude 10.802222222222 and longitude 106.69694444444.

### Visual Documentation and Symbols
The historical entity is associated with specific visual documentation and symbols.
*   **Imagery:** Photographic records include *Ben_Thanh_market_in_Vietnam_(340932410).jpg* (depicting Bến Thành Market) and *Thánh_thất_Sài_Gòn_0714.JPG* (depicting the Cao Dai Temple of Saigon).
*   **Heraldry:** The city utilized a specific coat of arms, available via the file *Coat_of_Arms_Saigon.svg*.

### Database Identifiers and Sources
Saigon is indexed in multiple international knowledge bases and library systems:
*   **Wikidata:** Described as a "historical city at the center of present-day Ho Chi Minh City."
*   **BBC Things:** ID `1e523bd8-bca5-4e55-8397-a78c782e5091`.
*   **Yale Lux:** ID `place/e2274ab5-dac2-4bbc-bbeb-dbdcbd1afda8`.
*   **GeoNames:** ID `11494864`.
*   **FactGrid:** Item ID listed as Beli Potok.
*   **National Library of Israel:** J9U ID `987007550590205171`.
*   **Wikimedia Commons:** Categorized under "Saigon, French Indochina."
*   **Wikipedia:** Presence confirmed in Anglo-Saxon (`ang`), Commons, and Vietnamese (`vi`) languages.

### Nomenclature
The entity is known by several aliases, including "Saigon," "Saigon ville," "Sài Gòn," and "Gia Định." It has been described by sources such as *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*.

## References

1. BBC Things
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File