Ho Chi Minh City is the former capital of South Vietnam. It was renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh and represents the economic centre of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is divided into 17 urban and 5 rural districts. A large number of cafés, markets and shops dominate the varied cityscape. Sights include: the Dragon House, the Giac-Lam Pagoda, the Historical Museum, the zoo, the Botanic Gardens, the Cathedral "Notre Dame" (1877-1883), the central post office, the town hall (1908), the water puppet shows and Nghia An Hoi Pagoda.
