Gia Định province


Gia Định was a former province of Vietnam under the Nguyễn dynasty and the South Vietnam.

History

In 1698, Lord Minh ordered Lễ Thành hầu establishing Gia Định prefecture with two districts in Cao Miên territory: Phúc Long district based on Đồng Nai, protected by Trấn Biên palace; and Tân Bình district based on Sài Gòn, protected by Phiên Trấn palace.
In 1715, Phiên Trấn commander – Trần Thượng Xuyên, and Trấn Biên deputy commander – Nguyễn Cửu Phú led Gia Định forces to support Nặc Yêm in defeating Nặc Thâm and retaking the La Bích citadel. Lord Minh appointed Nặc Yêm as the new king of Cao Miên.
Gia Định province was first established in 1832 under the name Phiên An province when Emperor Minh Mạng divided Lower Cochinchina into Six Provinces.
In February 1859, the French captured Gia Định citadel, besieged Gia Định province for two years, then completely occupied the province after the Battle of Kỳ Hòa in February 1861.
By 1944, the French colonists had divided Gia Định province to six smaller provinces: Gia Định, Tân Bình, Chợ Lớn, Tân An, Tây Ninh and Gò Công.
In 1957 Gia Định contained 6 districts: Gò Vấp, Tân Bình, Hóc Môn, Thủ Đức, Nhà Bè and Bình Chánh.
In 1970, the districts of Quảng Xuyên and Cần Giờ were added. In February 1976, Saigon Municipality and parts of the provinces of Biên Hòa, Bình Dương and Hậu Nghĩa were annexed to Gia Định and it was renamed to Sài Gòn-Gia Định.
During the South Vietnam period, Gia Định, Sài Gòn and Biên Hòa were the three main industrial centers of the country.
After the capture of Saigon on 30 April 1975, the province of Gia Định and other areas of neighboring provinces were united with the city of Saigon in May. The city of Saigon-Gia Định was created. This in turn was renamed Ho Chi Minh City on 2 July 1976.

Notable people