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Different theories expound on the origins of the name Saigon, Some say it derives from the former name Sai Cao, a transcription of the Khmer words, Prei Kor, the Kapok Tree Forest Prei Nokor, the forest of the Kingdom, in reference to the Cambodian Vice Roi's residence which has located in the region of present-day Cholon. In 1859 French and Spanish ships penetrated Saigon. The French unloaded troops and weapons and embarked upon their conquest of the country. Saigon was captured later the same year and became the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina a few years later.
Today, 50 miles inland from the coast, Saigon, Vietnam's largest city and river port, sprawls across an area of 761 square miles on the right bank of the Saigon River. The city is divided into 12 urban and six rural districts. In a sense the French presence remains, lingering not only in the minds of the older generation but physically in the legacy of colonial architecture, long tree lined avenues, streets and highways they left behind.
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