Củ Chi district


Củ Chi is a rural district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Etymology

The Vietnamese word Củ Chi is derived from the old Mon-Khmer words Tonle Sre or Sre.

Geography

Cu Chi District is located in the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 33 km from the city center. The Saigon River flows through the eastern part of the district, forming a boundary between Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong Province. The district's geographical location is as follows:
The district covers an area of 434.77 km2, with a population of 462,047 people in 2019. The population density is 1,063 people per km2.
Cu Chi District lies in the transitional region between the Mekong Delta and the Southeastern region, with elevations gradually decreasing in the northwest, southeast, northeast, and southwest directions. The average elevation above sea level is between 8 m and 10 m.

History

During the Nguyễn dynasty, Củ Chi belonged to Bình Dương District, Tân Bình Prefecture, Phiên An Province. In 1841, it became part of Bình Long District, Tân Bình Prefecture, Gia Định Province.
In 1911, Củ Chi was merged into Hóc Môn District, Gia Định Province. By 1957, the Republic of Vietnam government separated a part of Hóc Môn District to establish Củ Chi District, under Bình Dương Province, with its district capital located in Tân An Hội Commune.
In 1963, when Hậu Nghĩa Province was established, Củ Chi District was divided into two parts. One half retained the name Củ Chi and became part of Hậu Nghĩa Province, while the other half became Phú Hòa District, remaining under Bình Dương Province. In 1973, Tân Thông Hội Commune was established from a portion of Tân An Hội Commune.
After April 30, 1975, Củ Chi District of Hậu Nghĩa Province was merged with Phú Hòa District of Bình Dương Province to form Củ Chi District, which became part of Ho Chi Minh City. On February 1, 1985, Củ Chi Town was established by separating a portion of land from Tân An Hội Commune, becoming the administrative center of the district.

Administration

The district consists of one eponymous town, also the district capital, with 20 communes of: