Why is it no longer called Saigon?

Do Vietnamese still call it Saigon?

Saigon? Sure. People still say it.

• Official name: Ho Chi Minh City.
• Saigon: The ghost in the machine. Still used. Familiarity. History, mostly.

Old habits, huh? Die hard. My grandma still calls it Saigon. Been doing it for 80 years. Why stop now? Names change. Places… sometimes they don’t.

• Usage: Common in daily conversation.
• Think of it like this: A preferred nickname.

Language adapts. Like water. Always finds a way. Who cares what’s “official”? Streets know better. Ever try telling a river it has a new name? Good luck with that.

• Significance: Nostalgia. Resistance? Who knows.
• A city’s name. Just a word. Except it’s not, is it?

A city’s identity, it remains. Always Saigon to some.

When did it stop being called Saigon?

Okay, so like, Saigon? Yeah, it stopped being called Saigon right after the war ended, basically.

I mean, the Second Indochina War, you know, what everyone calls the Vietnam War, got super intense in the 60s. My grandpa was actually stationed there. Saigon was basically the U.S. military’s main spot.

Anyway, North Vietnam took over. April 30th, 1975, that’s when it happened, you know, like boom. They captured Saigon.

And then, they just renamed it, like, immediately. Ho Chi Minh City. That was it!

• It happened fast, right after the takeover, like bam!
• The name change was political, obvs.
• My grandpa never called it Ho Chi Minh City, even years later. He was like, “It’s always Saigon.” Which, fair.

I think, I think a lot of older Vietnamese people like still call it Saigon sometimes, even now, in 2024. It’s like a habit, I guess. Or, maybe, maybe it’s just a thing of respect. And the war stuff, like whoa, like major important context. But yeah, it’s like official name is def Ho Chi Minh City.

Can you call Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon?

So, yeah, you can totally call it Saigon. Everyone does! It’s kinda weird, right? Officially it’s Ho Chi Minh City, but Saigon is what everyone uses, even in the papers and stuff. I was there last year, 2023, and honestly, I heard Ho Chi Minh City maybe twice, tops. It’s just Saigon to almost everyone. A crazy mixup of names, really.

The whole thing’s a bit of a political mess, a really old political mess. But now? No one really cares anymore. It’s like, “whatever, call it what you like.” My cousin even lives there – he uses Saigon all the time. We laugh about it. He sends pics of Saigon street food, crazy stuff!

Here’s the lowdown, as I understand it:

• Official name: Ho Chi Minh City (after the communist leader)
• Common usage: Saigon (the older name, from before the communists)
• Political baggage: Huge. But old news to most people now, especially younger generations.
• My experience: Saigon, Saigon, Saigon. Everywhere.

This whole name thing, it’s just… complicated. But don’t sweat it, just use Saigon if you wanna. No one will bat an eye. Seriously. It’s all good. Even my Vietnamese friend, Mai, she says its whatever.

What happens if you call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City… It’s, like, no big deal which you use. Totally depends where you are, you know? Down south, Saigon. Like, my grandma in Can Tho? Never calls it Ho Chi Minh City. Saigon, always Saigon. It’s more, hmm, affectionate. My friend – lives in Hanoi – always says HCMC. Or Ho Chi Minh City, when he’s being all official. But, uh, nobody gets offended. Seriously. Just kinda habit.

• South Vietnam: Saigon is common, often seen as warm and familiar. Think family dinners, street vendors. My aunt in Vũng Tàu, she owns a pho place. Saigon Pho, it’s called. See?

• Elsewhere in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City is more common. Especially in government stuff, official documents. Formal settings, like, university in Da Nang. Saw it there all the time.

• Political Statement? Nah. It’s more about where you’re from, and who youre talking too. Like, I’m from near Mỹ Tho. So Saigon slips out. A lot.

• For tourists? Honestly, either one works. Nobody cares, really. Use both, even. Mix it up.

Is it illegal to call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Ugh, Saigon. It’s weird, right? Still feels wrong saying Ho Chi Minh City sometimes. My grandma always called it Saigon. She’d flip if she heard them changing it.

So, is it illegal? Nope. Absolutely not. It’s just… a thing. A habit thing. Like calling your grandpa “Pops” even though his name’s Arthur. You know?

South Vietnam – everyone uses Saigon. Feels more personal somehow, you know? More… homey? North Vietnam? Forget it. Ho Chi Minh City, all the way. It’s the official name, after all. The official name wins. They should’ve just kept both. Why change anything?

Makes no political statement, honestly. Just… different preferences depending on where you grew up. I mean, I’m from the South, so…Saigon. Always Saigon. But I get why people elsewhere use the official name. It is what it is.

Key points:

• No legal issues with using Saigon.
• Regional preference heavily influences usage.
• Saigon is commonly used in South Vietnam.
• Ho Chi Minh City is the official name, preferred elsewhere.
• No political implications. Just a name thing.

My uncle’s been to Vietnam twice this year. He says the same thing. He hates the official name. It’s impersonal. He says even the locals use Saigon sometimes. I’ve got a photo of him near the Ben Thanh Market… I’ll have to dig it out later. Ugh, gotta go. Busy day.

What do locals call Saigon?

Saigon. A whisper. A sigh. Lost in the rustle of silk ao dai. Ten million souls breathing. 2023. Saigon. Still Saigon. Echoes in the humid air. Heavy with history. A name etched on the heart. Hồ Chí Minh City. Official. Cold. Doesn’t taste the same on the tongue. Saigon. Sweet. Like sugarcane juice on a hot afternoon. Saigon. The scent of jasmine and motorbike exhaust. Saigon. A memory. A dream. A city that refuses to be forgotten. A pulse in the dark. Saigon. Always Saigon.

• Saigon: The common, beloved name.
• Hồ Chí Minh City (HCMC): The official name.
• Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: The Vietnamese spelling of the official name.
• Population (2023): Approximately 10 million.
• Most populous city: In Vietnam.

What is Ho Chi Minh City also known as?

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, remains Vietnam’s economic powerhouse. It’s the southern region’s undisputed center. The city’s energy is palpable; a frenetic mix of old and new, constantly evolving.

Think of the relentless motorbike streams. That’s Saigon’s pulse. It’s intense, exhilarating, sometimes overwhelming. It’s a sensory overload, but a captivating one. The sheer dynamism is incredible. I find it fascinating.

Saigon is deeply embedded in the city’s identity, a name that resonates with a specific historical period. Many locals still use it informally. It’s more than just a former name; it’s a significant part of the cultural fabric. The juxtaposition of the official name with its deeply rooted legacy reveals complex layers of history.

The transition from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City was politically charged, obviously. It signifies a shift in national identity, a tangible reflection of post-war Vietnam. But it’s also a fascinating case study of naming conventions and their impact on national psyche. Pretty wild, huh?

• Historical Name: Saigon
• Official Name: Ho Chi Minh City
• Significance: Reflects Vietnam’s political and social evolution.

Think about the impact of place names. Names shape perceptions, often unconsciously. It’s a subtle, yet powerful force. The city thrives, regardless of its official title. Saigon’s spirit persists. That’s undeniable.

What is Ho Chi Minh City called now?

Saigon. Still Saigon. Officially Ho Chi Minh City. Population: 10 million. 2023. Done.

• Saigon: The name that sticks. The name that breathes.
• Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC): Official. Formal. Stiff.
• Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: Vietnamese. For the record.
• Population: 10 million. Crowded. Alive. 2023 census. My trip there? ’22. Hot.

Good pho on Pasteur Street. District 1. Avoid the tourist traps.