Can you call Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon?

What happens if you call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Saigon… it just slips out sometimes. I know I should say Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the proper name, the official name. But, my grandma, she always called it Saigon.

It feels… softer, somehow. Like a memory I can almost touch. Even though I was born after the change.

In the South, especially, you hear it more. It’s in the air. I don’t think anyone really cares if you use either. It’s just a name.

But maybe… maybe it’s more than just a name. It’s history. A ghost of what was. I dont know. Thinking about it makes me restless.

• Saigon is often used in Southern Vietnam due to historical familiarity and affection. It’s like, a part of them.
• Using Saigon isn’t seen as a political statement. It’s more a habit of speech, a preference. No one gets angry.

I remember when I was a kid. I called it Saigon and my teacher just smiled. No big deal. But still…Ho Chi Minh City. Is the city I live in. I think.

Is Ho Chi Minh City still called Saigon?

Saigon? Ho Chi Minh City? It’s a whole lotta name-game, lemme tell ya. Think of it like this: it’s like calling your grandma by her maiden name – technically incorrect, but everyone still does it.

Saigon’s the nickname, the cool moniker, the one that rolls off the tongue like a perfectly-brewed pho. Ho Chi Minh City? That’s the official title, the stuffy name on the paperwork. Think of it as a boring government name versus a catchy band name.

Folks still use Saigon like it’s going outta style. Especially the older crowd – you know, the ones who remember when a bowl of bun cha cost less than a lottery ticket.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Officially? Ho Chi Minh City. Don’t argue with the city hall on this one.
• Unofficially? Saigon’s still king. It’s etched into the city’s soul, man. Like a stubborn stain on a favorite shirt.
• Tourist traps? They use both, probably to confuse you and sell more overpriced keychains. Seriously, those things are a rip-off. I bought one last year, and it fell apart the day after.

Prey Nokor? Yeah, that’s the Khmer name. Think of it like the secret code name only the locals understand. It’s like your friend’s Instagram handle – it exists, but you use the name they’re actually known by. Prey Nokor’s practically a forgotten password now. Nobody uses it, it’s just…there. Kinda like that extra button on my jeans.

My buddy, Minh, who lives there, calls it Saigon all the time. He’s more hip than the average bear. He says using Ho Chi Minh City feels about as cool as wearing socks with sandals. His words, not mine.

How do I call Saigon Vietnam?

Okay, so calling Saigon…uh, I mean Ho Chi Minh City now, right? I always mess that up.

• Need my country’s exit code FIRST. Hmm, what even IS that? Oh yeah, 011 for the US, that’s easy.

• Then it’s gotta be Vietnam’s code: 84. Got it.

• City code…for HCMC. That’s gotta be 28. Why 28? Is there a reason? I should Google that later.

• Local number after that. So like…[My Exit Code] + 84 + 28 + [Local Number].

Is it really that simple? Seems too easy. Oh well. What time is it there anyway? Maybe I should check before I call my aunt. It’s gotta be like…middle of the night, I bet. Whoops, almost forgot my passport expires December 2024. Gotta renew soon.

Why is it no longer called Saigon?

Saigon? Oh, you mean Ho Chi Minh City. Yeah, that name change happened after things got, shall we say, decided in ’75. Think of it like renaming your dog after you win a staring contest.

Basically, they renamed Saigon to honor Ho Chi Minh, the OG revolutionary. Dude declared independence way back when, like, before sliced bread was even a twinkle in somebody’s eye.

• Ho Chi Minh: National hero, independence guy. Like George Washington, but maybe with a cooler hat.
• ’75: The year the music stopped, and Saigon became… something else. A new beginning, I guess. Or a paint job. You know, whatever.
• Renaming: A classic power move. Like when you win Monopoly and rename all the properties after yourself.

Is it illegal to call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City. Semantics. It’s not illegal.

Officially, Ho Chi Minh City. Personal preference dictates usage. South Vietnam? Saigon resonates. Elsewhere? The official name prevails. My family, for instance, uses both. It’s nuanced.

• Regional variations: Usage depends on location and speaker background.
• Personal preference: Emotional connection influences naming.
• No legal ramifications: Neither term carries political weight. This is not a matter for legal concern.
• My experience: I’ve heard both terms used interchangeably throughout 2024, in various settings, among various age groups.

Using “Saigon” isn’t inherently disrespectful; context matters. It’s about familiarity. Purely personal. Avoid unnecessary controversy.

What do locals call Saigon?

Hey, so Saigon? Yea, people still call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon all the time! It’s like, officially it’s Ho Chi Minh City you know, Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh if you’re trying to be proper. But practically? Saigon. Its easier to say y’know, easier to say! Everyone i know still calls it that.

Like, even though, it has been Ho Chi Minh City since, well, a long time ago, everyone like, really everyone I talked to called it Saigon, it’s just common, you know? So it goes beyond the official name that’s for sure. The city had about 10 million residents in 2023 too, so big!

It kinda stuck with everyone, the name Saigon has stuck and is still in use even by officials sometime, I guess?

Reasons why “Saigon” persists:

• Easier to Say: ‘Saigon’ has fewer syllables, roll off the tounge better!
• Historical Attachment: The name has major historical weight.
• Common Usage: Locals, tourists, everyone mostly uses it.
• Geographical Specificity: Saigon sometimes just means District 1, the main central area. It’s weird! Like, I’m going to Saigon, means I’m going to District 1.

Other Fun facts:

• My Aunt Hoa lives in District 3. She never calls it Ho Chi Minh City! lol.
• Pho, is the best thing ever. I think its the soup.
• Traffic there is insane; scooters everywhere.
• The food is great but always bring a bottle of nuoc mam!