View source for Mỹ Tho

{{Expand Vietnamese|topic=geo|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->| name               = Mỹ Tho
| official_name      = Mỹ Tho City<br/>{{nobold|{{lang|vi|Thành phố Mỹ Tho}} }}
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| settlement_type    = [[Provincial city (Vietnam)|Provincial city (Class-1)]]
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| image_skyline      = Phường Mỹ Tho.jpg
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = Downtown Mỹ Tho with [[Mỹ Tho River]] waterfront
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Vietnam
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<!-- Location ------------------>| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Vietnam}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of Vietnam|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Tiền Giang province|Tiền Giang]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of regions of Vietnam|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Mekong Delta]]
| subdivision_type3  = Metro
| subdivision_name3  = [[Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area]]
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| subdivision_name4  = <!-- Politics ----------------->
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| established_date3  = 1976
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| population_as_of   = 2019
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| population_total   = 270700
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| postal_code_type   = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = 073, 074 (nation) and +8473,+8474 (international)
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]
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| website            = {{URL|http://mytho.tiengiang.gov.vn/}}
}}

'''Mỹ Tho''' ({{audio|My Tho.ogg|listen|help=no}}) is a city in the [[Tiền Giang province]] in the [[Mekong Delta]] region of [[South Vietnam]]. It has a population of approximately 169,000 in 2006<ref>{{cite book |first1=John |last1=Hoskin |first2=Carol |last2=Howland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZHn_8ihziN8C |title=Vietnam |year= 2006 |page= 114|publisher=New Holland |isbn=9781845375515}}</ref> and 220,000 in 2012.<ref name="thevietnamguide1">{{cite web |author=mrdanial |url=http://thevietnamguide.com/tvg/get-to-know-the-door-of-mekong-region-my-tho-city/ |title=Get to Know the Door of Mekong Region – My Tho City |publisher=The Vietnam Guide |date=2012-08-09 |access-date=2013-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315091620/http://thevietnamguide.com/tvg/get-to-know-the-door-of-mekong-region-my-tho-city/ |archive-date=2017-03-15 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the regional center of economics, education and technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mythocity.gov.vn/ |title=Thành phố Mỹ Tho |publisher=Mythocity.gov.vn |access-date=2013-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901224330/http://mythocity.gov.vn/ |archive-date=2013-09-01}}</ref> The majority [[ethnic group]] is the [[Kinh]]; minority groups include the [[Hoa people|Hoa]], the [[Cham people|Cham]] and the [[Khmer people|Khmer]] people. Boat rides on the [[Mỹ Tho River]] are popular with tourists, and the city is known for ''[[hủ tiếu]] Mỹ Tho'', a type of [[Rice noodles|rice noodles soup]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZqOLmYD-0l4C |title=Lonely Planet Vietnam |year= 2009 |page= 418|isbn=9781742203898 |last1=Writer) |first1=Nick Ray (Travel|publisher=Lonely Planet Publications }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Bản vẽ thành Mỹ Tho năm 1873.jpg|thumb|Drawing of Mỹ Tho citadel in 1873]]
Mỹ Tho was founded in the 1680s by Chinese refugees fleeing China after the fall of remnants of the [[Southern Ming]] to the [[Qing dynasty]] in 1683. The city is named after the [[Mỹ Tho River]]. In [[chữ Hán]], the name is given as {{linktext|美|萩}} (literally, beautiful tree).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nomfoundation.org/nom-tools/Nom-Lookup-Tool/Nom-Lookup-Tool |title=Vietnamese Nôm Preservation Foundation |publisher=Nomfoundation.org |access-date=2013-08-22}}</ref>

Due to its proximity to [[Saigon]], Mỹ Tho was the traditional gateway to the Mekong Delta. In the 17th century, the city had become one of the biggest commercial hubs in today's Southern Vietnam.

In the 1860s, Mỹ Tho, along with Saigon, was a major strategic city during the French colonial campaign towards Vietnam. In 1862, France's [[capture of Mỹ Tho]] is regarded as the conclusion to the establishment of the French colony of [[Cochinchina]], a development that inaugurated nearly a century of French colonial dominance in Vietnam. During the colonization period, the economy continued to prosper, attracting more immigrants, mainly from [[Chaozhou|Teochew]] and [[Minnan region|Minnan]] of mainland China.

Mỹ Tho City is recognized as a grade II on October 7, 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thevietnamguide.com/tvg/get-to-know-the-door-of-mekong-region-my-tho-city/ |title=My Tho grade II |publisher=Thevietnamguide.com |access-date=2013-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315091620/http://thevietnamguide.com/tvg/get-to-know-the-door-of-mekong-region-my-tho-city/ |archive-date=2017-03-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
Mỹ Tho is divided to 11 wards (called ''Ward 1 - Ward 10'', and ''Ward Tân Long'') and 6 communes.<ref name=amitourist>{{cite web |url=http://www.amitourist.com/Vietnam-destinations/My-tho.asp?cmd=reset |title=My Tho |publisher=Amitourist.com |access-date=2013-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165012/http://www.amitourist.com/Vietnam-destinations/My-tho.asp?cmd=reset |archive-date=2018-01-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

6 communes:
*Đạo Thạnh
*Mỹ Phong
*Phước Thạnh
*Tân Mỹ Chánh
*Thới Sơn
*Trung An
*Phước Thạnh

==Transportation==
[[File:TienGiang transportation map.png|thumbnail|left|[[Tiền Giang province]] transportation map]]

Mỹ Tho is connected to the rest of the country by [[National Route 1 (Vietnam)|National Route 1]] and [[Tiền River]]. Here, people mainly use motorcycles, bicycles, and boats for transportation. Mỹ Tho has the first railway route (about {{convert|70|km}} long) in Vietnam which was one of the most modern transport means in the world linking Saigon and Mỹ Tho, put into use in 1885. However, it was destroyed in the 1960s during Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/features/the-first-railway-route-in-vietnam-1.77447 |title=The First Railway Route in Vietnam |publisher=tuoitrenews.vn }}</ref>

By road, Mỹ Tho City is {{convert|70|km}} from [[Vĩnh Long province]], {{convert|70|km}} from [[Ho Chi Minh City]], regional center of Southern Vietnam, {{convert|103|km}} from [[Cần Thơ]], {{convert|179|km}} from [[Châu Đốc]], {{convert|182|km}} from [[Rạch Giá]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/country/province.asp?mt=8473&uid=1257 |title=Provinces and cities |publisher=Vietnamtourism.com |access-date=2013-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210141123/http://vietnamtourism.com/e_pages/country/province.asp?mt=8473&uid=1257 |archive-date=2010-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{convert|132|km}} from [[Long Xuyên]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&gl=us&daddr=My+Tho,+Vietnam&saddr=Long+Xuyen,+An+Giang+province,+Vietnam&panel=1&f=d&fb=1&dirflg=d&geocode=KZMm0GzkcgoxMePJdg9HYwgj%3BKYEmqLXrrwoxMU6_spklt4D5 |title=My Tho - Long Xuyen |publisher=Google Maps}}</ref> Mỹ Tho and [[Bến Tre]] are connected by [[Rạch Miễu Bridge]].

By river, there are many short boat trips to various islands, [[Bến Tre]], and floating markets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luxurymekongrivercruise.com/mekong-river/Floating-Markets.html |title=Floating Markets, Mekong River, Mekong delta, Mekong travel guide, Mekong river travel guide |publisher=Luxury Mekong River Cruise |access-date=2013-08-22}}</ref> in the surrounding areas. It also has overnight long boats to [[Châu Đốc]] and [[Long Xuyên]].
{{Clear}}

==Climate==
{{Weather box
| location = Mỹ Tho
| metric first = Y
| single line  = Y
| Jan record high C = 34.8
| Feb record high C = 35.1
| Mar record high C = 36.8
| Apr record high C = 38.2
| May record high C = 38.9
| Jun record high C = 36.6
| Jul record high C = 36.5
| Aug record high C = 35.8
| Sep record high C = 36.8
| Oct record high C = 35.5
| Nov record high C = 36.2
| Dec record high C = 34.5
|year record high C = 38.9
| Jan high C = 30.2
| Feb high C = 30.9
| Mar high C = 32.2
| Apr high C = 33.6
| May high C = 33.3
| Jun high C = 32.2
| Jul high C = 31.7
| Aug high C = 31.5
| Sep high C = 31.3
| Oct high C = 30.9
| Nov high C = 30.8
| Dec high C = 30.2
|year high C = 31.6
| Jan mean C = 25.5
| Feb mean C = 26.1
| Mar mean C = 27.3
| Apr mean C = 28.6
| May mean C = 28.4
| Jun mean C = 27.7
| Jul mean C = 27.3
| Aug mean C = 27.1
| Sep mean C = 27.0
| Oct mean C = 26.8
| Nov mean C = 26.7
| Dec mean C = 25.8
|year mean C = 27.1
| Jan low C = 22.2
| Feb low C = 22.8
| Mar low C = 24.2
| Apr low C = 25.4
| May low C = 25.6
| Jun low C = 25.0
| Jul low C = 24.6
| Aug low C = 24.6
| Sep low C = 24.6
| Oct low C = 24.3
| Nov low C = 23.8
| Dec low C = 22.6
|year low C = 24.1
| Jan record low C = 14.9
| Feb record low C = 15.9
| Mar record low C = 15.7
| Apr record low C = 19.4
| May record low C = 21.5
| Jun record low C = 21.2
| Jul record low C = 19.6
| Aug record low C = 21.2
| Sep record low C = 21.2
| Oct record low C = 19.9
| Nov record low C = 17.6
| Dec record low C = 16.1
|year record low C = 14.9
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 8.1
| Feb rain mm = 1.8
| Mar rain mm = 6.6
| Apr rain mm = 41.3
| May rain mm = 149.7
| Jun rain mm = 203.2
| Jul rain mm = 189.2
| Aug rain mm = 192.6
| Sep rain mm = 231.3
| Oct rain mm = 263.7
| Nov rain mm = 95.4
| Dec rain mm = 35.6
|year rain mm = 1419.7
| Jan rain days = 1.6
| Feb rain days = 0.6
| Mar rain days = 1.3
| Apr rain days = 4.4
| May rain days = 14.9
| Jun rain days = 18.7
| Jul rain days = 20.0
| Aug rain days = 20.2
| Sep rain days = 20.3
| Oct rain days = 19.6
| Nov rain days = 10.5
| Dec rain days = 5.8
|year rain days = 137.5
| Jan humidity = 79.2
| Feb humidity = 78.4
| Mar humidity = 78.4
| Apr humidity = 78.0
| May humidity = 81.4
| Jun humidity = 83.1
| Jul humidity = 83.7
| Aug humidity = 84.3
| Sep humidity = 85.0
| Oct humidity = 85.3
| Nov humidity = 83.2
| Dec humidity = 81.4
|year humidity = 82.2
| Jan sun = 244.1
| Feb sun = 249.3
| Mar sun = 284.9
| Apr sun = 261.5
| May sun = 209.8
| Jun sun = 180.7
| Jul sun = 188.5
| Aug sun = 187.9
| Sep sun = 165.4
| Oct sun = 170.5
| Nov sun = 198.5
| Dec sun = 198.0
| year sun = 2531.1
| source 1 = Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology<ref name=IBST>{{cite web|title=Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology|url=https://datafiles.chinhphu.vn/cpp/files/vbpq/2022/10/02-bxd.pdf |language=en}}</ref>
}}

==Tourism==
[[File:Vinh Trang Pagoda.JPG|thumb|Front view of [[Vĩnh Tràng Temple]]]]

[[Vĩnh Tràng Temple]],<ref>Vo Van Tuon & Huynh Nhu Phuong {{cite web|url=http://quangduc.com/English/Books/Vietnamesepagoda/020vinhtrangpagoda.html |access-date=February 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010227201453/http://quangduc.com/English/Books/Vietnamesepagoda/020vinhtrangpagoda.html |title=VIETNAMESE'S FAMOUS PAGODAS|publisher=Art Publisher |date=1995|archive-date=February 27, 2001 }}</ref> [[Caodaism|Cao Dai]] Temple,<ref name=amitourist /> Dong Tam Snake Farm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/lifestyle/a-visit-to-the-dong-tam-snake-farm-1.98031 |date=February 10, 2013|access-date=February 17, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214021535/http://tuoitrenews.vn/cmlink/tuoitrenews/lifestyle/a-visit-to-the-dong-tam-snake-farm-1.98031|archive-date=February 14, 2013 |title=A visit to the Dong Tam Snake Farm|last=Trea|first=Tuoi }}</ref> There are four islands in the Tien River between Mỹ Tho and Bến Tre: Dragon (Con Rong), Tortoise (Con Qui), Phoenix (Con Phung) and Unicorn (Con Lan) Islands.<ref>{{cite web|title=My Tho|url=http://www.footprinttravelguides.com/asia/vietnam/far-south/my-tho/|publisher=www.footprinttravelguides.com|access-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214181909/http://www.footprinttravelguides.com/asia/vietnam/far-south/my-tho|archive-date=14 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Mekong Delta]] is considered to be the "rice basket of Vietnam", contributing more than half of the nation's rice production. Mỹ Tho is well known as floating markets, where people sell and buy things on the river, as well as Ben Tam Ngua and Mỹ Thuận market.

==Education==
Mỹ Tho was the first town in southern Vietnam to have a high school. The [[Collège]] de Mỹ Tho, opened in March 1879, is now called Nguyễn Đình Chiểu High School. It was one of the first schools Vietnam had, and even now is still known for its education quality among Southern schools.

Later, another school called "School for Gifted Students of Tien Giang" opened in Mỹ Tho city. Though the total area is very limited compared to other schools in the province, the quality of education there is usually considered one of the best. The curriculum they use is modified so that students usually learn more of their core subjects than in other schools. For instance, students from a Math class do all the required materials like any other classes, but more of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics because they are in the Natural Science block, and a lot more of Math. Preparation for national exams and entrance examination to the university are prioritized there.

Schools in Mỹ Tho are named after famous Vietnamese writers, poets, and national heroes such as [[Nguyễn Trãi]], Thu Khoa Huan is also known as Nguyen Huu Huan, [[Xuân Diệu]], [[Lê Ngọc Hân]], [[Nguyễn Đình Chiểu]], [[Trần Hưng Đạo]].

Tiền Giang College which was promoted to Tiền Giang University in 2005<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vzyx5mwzGGcC&q=tien+giang+college+became+University+in+2007&pg=PA201 |title=Vietnam community colleges |isbn=9781402094774 |last1=Raby |first1=Rosalind Latiner |last2=Valeau |first2=Edward J. |date=2009-03-22 |publisher=Springer }}</ref> is also located at Mỹ Tho.

==Economy==
Today the economy of Mỹ Tho is mainly based on tourism, fishing, and agricultural products such as [[coconuts]], [[bananas]], and [[longan]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=MY THO - VIETNAM - MEKONG RIVER|url=http://www.luxurymekongrivercruise.com/destination/My-Tho.html|publisher=www.luxurymekongrivercruise.com|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>

During [[World War II]] the French [[Vichy government]] interned foreign nationals in Mỹ Tho. In May 1945, the Japanese seized control of the camps fearing an allied attack. [[Foreign nationals]] were confined throughout the war. As the regional capital, Mỹ Tho is the main market dealing in all the produce from the region as well as fish and other seafood from Mỹ Tho's large ocean-going fishing fleet. The very large and exuberant market is one of South Vietnam's biggest sources for [[dried fish]] and other dried seafood products such as Kho Muc ([[dried squid]]). At night the market is dedicated to the dealing and sorting of Mekong River fish, particularly [[catfish]] for Hồ Chí Minh City's wholesale markets. Produce, especially fruit and vegetables, is delivered by boat directly to markets. It is a popular starting point for tourists to take a boat trip on the Mekong River.

Mỹ Tho was the subject of "The Lesson", a chapter in a memoir by [[Tobias Wolff]], ''[[In Pharaoh's Army|In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War]]'', describing the events of the 1968 [[Tet Offensive]] there.<ref>{{cite book |first=Tobias |last=Wolff |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4yJieb6EnSEC |title=In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War |year=1995 |publisher=[[Alfred A. Knopf|Knopf]]|isbn=9780307763754 }}</ref>

In 2010, there are total 17 markets located in wards and commune in Mỹ Tho.<ref name="thevietnamguide1"/>

==Neighbouring cities==
*West and North: [[Chợ Gạo District]]
*East: [[Châu Thành District, Tiền Giang]]
*South: [[Tiền River]] and [[Bến Tre province]]

==Notable people==
* [[Nguyễn Thị Thập]] - Chairman of the Women's Federation of Vietnam (''Hội liên hiệp phụ nữ Việt Nam'') from 1956 to 1974
* General [[Nguyễn Khánh]] - former Prime Minister, General, and Ambassador of South Vietnam
* General [[Nguyễn Hữu Hạnh]] - served in the [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam]]
* [[Madame Nguyen Van Thieu|Madame Thiệu]], the last serving First Lady of [[South Vietnam]] from 1967 to 1975 and wife of the President of South Vietnam [[Nguyễn Văn Thiệu]]
* [[Trần Anh Hùng]] – film director and screenwriter

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center">
My Tho-House on Bank of Mekong 2002.jpg|House on Bank of Mekong
My Tho.JPG|The downtown of Mỹ Tho
Waterfront - My Tho - Vietnam.JPG|The center of Mỹ Tho with [[Nguyen Huu Huan]] statue 
Image:My Tho2.JPG|The waterfront houses in Mỹ Tho
Waterfront - My Tho - Vietnam - 02.JPG|The waterfront shops.
My Tho-Rach Mieu Ferry 2002.jpg|Rach Mieu Ferry in 2002, now expired.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|My Tho}}
* {{Official website|http://mytho.tiengiang.gov.vn/}}

{{coord|10|21|N|106|21|E|region:VN_type:city|display=title}}

{{Cities in Viet Nam}}
{{Districts of Mekong Delta}}
{{Most populous cities in Vietnam}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:My Tho}}
[[Category:Mỹ Tho| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Vietnam]]
[[Category:Districts of Tiền Giang province]]
[[Category:Populated places in Tiền Giang province]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Mekong River]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals in Vietnam]]