Capital: Hanoi.Major Cities: With 5.6 million people, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the mostpopulous city. Hanoi has a population of 3 million. Other major cities are Danang, Haiphong,and Can Tho.Independence: Vietnam declared independence from Japan and France on September 2, 1945.However, Vietnam remained under French control until the communist Viet Minh defeatedFrench forces at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.Public Holidays: Official holidays are New Year's (January 1), Tet or Lunar New Year(movable date in January or February), Liberation Day to commemorate the fall of Saigon (April30), Labor Day (May 1), and Independence Day to commemorate Japan's withdrawal followingits defeat in World War II (September 2).