Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Hanoi, is the largest city in Vietnam and the capital of the country. It was renamed in 1976 after the late North Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh, who led the country to independence from France in 1954. The city is located in the south of the country and is home to over 8 million people. It is a major economic and cultural hub, with a vibrant nightlife and many attractions.