Before 1962, in the South Vietnam period, the area Phạm Ngũ Lão ward nowadays was a major part of Cầu Ông Lãnh ward, the 2nd District (Quận Nhì), City of Saigon.
Since 1962, a part of Cầu Ông Lãnh ward was separated to establish Bùi Viện ward.
After 1975, District 2 was merged into District 1 and Bùi Viện ward was dissolved into wards of 16 and 17 of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Ward 16 was later merged into Ward 13 (which was the Huyện Sĩ ward before 1975).
In 1989, Phạm Ngũ Lão ward was established after the annexation of wards of 13 and 17.[2]
Tourist attractions
The ward and the eponymous street entirely in it are known as "Backpacker Street" or "Backpacker Quarter" (Khu phố Tây Ba lô), as this quarter is foreigners top-most favors for having plenty of travel agencies open here and accomdation services here are compared to be more afordable than the other quarters in the city center.
Moreover, the ward is proper for pedestrian as the traffic here is usually clear, less traffic jam in this area. Some of pedestrian areas in the ward are: September 23 Park, Phạm Ngũ Lão Street, Bùi Viện Street, Đề Thám Street, Trần Hưng Đạo Street. Those streets are also known for theirs vibrant nightlife with multiple food shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs
September 23 Park with Ho Chi Minh City Visitor Information and Support Center located here, in front of street corner of Phạm Ngũ Lão - Đề ThámBùi Viện Walking Street Welcome Gate at Trần Hưng Đạo Street corner
Besides, the ward still has some education and healthcare institutes, some of them are Ernst Thälmann Highschool (Trường THPT Ten-lơ-man), Từ Dũ Maternity Hospotal, one of the major maternity hospitals in Vietnam.
Từ Dũ Maternity HospitalErnst Thälmann Highschool on Trần Hưng Đạo Street
