Why is Ho Chi Minh still called Saigon?
Why is Ho Chi Minh City still often referred to as Saigon?
Okay, so like, why do people still call Ho Chi Minh City "Saigon?"
It's kinda weird, right? Well, back when the French took over in 1859, they ditched the old name, Gia Định.
Saigon just, like, stuck.
Even though the name changed officially, it's hard to shake old habits, ya know?
I actually remember my grandma, she always called it Saigon. Like, every single time. Never Ho Chi Minh City. For her, that's just what it was. Old habits die hard i guess.
And get this, a lot of the old maps didn't even update the name until, get this, 1891? Crazy. They were still calling it by the old name 嘉定 then! So it was Saigon before being Ho Chi Minh city.
Ho Chi Minh City was called Saigon due to historical usage dating back to French colonial period in 1859. Even old map in Literary Sinitic used name of 嘉定 until 1891.
What was the largest city in Vietnam previously known as?
So, yeah, Vietnam's biggest city? That's Ho Chi Minh City, duh. Everyone still calls it Saigon though, right? It's huge, down south. Been there myself, 2023, crazy busy. Remember all those motorbikes?!
Seriously, the traffic was insane. Like, insane. I almost got run over, twice! But the food was amazing, though. Pho, for sure. And banh mi! OMG. So good. I ate way too much.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): The largest.
- Southern Vietnam: Its location.
- Crazy busy: My personal experience.
- Delicious food: Pho and banh mi, specifically.
- Motorbike mayhem: The traffic was wild.
Seriously, go sometime. Just watch out for the bikes! They're everywhere. Like, everywhere. It's nuts. I got some killer pics tho. Maybe I'll show you.
What was the largest city in Vietnam previously known as?
Saigon... it still feels like Saigon to me, even now. The name itself holds a weight, a history. Ho Chi Minh City, they call it now. Official. Cold.
It’s bigger than I remember, or maybe I'm just smaller. The streets… the noise… it overwhelms. South Vietnam. Always the south.
My grandmother always called it Saigon. Her Saigon. A Saigon that's gone. Lost in time, like her. She's gone. Saigon's still here, changed, but there.
- Name change: The official renaming happened long ago, but the old name lingers.
- Personal connection: My family's memories are deeply rooted in "Saigon."
- Size and growth: The city's expansion feels immense. Overwhelming. A different scale now, definitely. Unrecognizable, even.
- Emotional weight: The old name carries more than just geography; it's nostalgia, loss, a whole lifetime.
- Specific detail: I visited in 2023, and the change was stark, even though I've seen photos.
The scent of the air, different. I can't place it. It feels… thinner. Less Saigon, more... everything else. Sad. Just sad.
- Can I pay my Visa fee with a credit card?
- How far in advance can you book Trenitalia tickets?
- Who is the largest retailer in Vietnam?
- Which is the longest road tunnel in the world?
- Will my luggage get lost on a connecting flight?
- Is 1 hour too short for a layover?
- How early to get to Bangkok airport for international flight reddit?
- What is the most common means of transportation?
- How early can I check in for my flight at the counter?
- How much do banks charge for ATM withdrawals?
Feedback on answer:
Thank you for your feedback! Your input is very important in helping us improve answers in the future.