Is it Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon?

Ho Chi Minh City vs. Saigon: Whats the Difference?

Ho Chi Minh City is the official name of Vietnam's largest city. Saigon is the former name, still commonly used today, especially when referring to the central urban districts like District 1. The name officially changed in 1976 after the unification of North and South Vietnam.

I still get mixed up. Honestly. Whats the right name.

The first time I landed at Tan Son Nhat, back in September 2018 I think, I was totally lost on this. My flight ticket said Ho Chi Minh City, but the guy I met told me "Welcome to Saigon." I just stared at him. I literally didnt know which name to put into the Grab app to get to my hotel in District 3.

Ho Chi Minh City is the map. Saigon is the feeling.

A friend, her family is from here for generations, explained it over coffee on Dong Khoi street. She said "Ho Chi Minh City" is the whole massive area, the official, political name. But when you talk about the heart, the chaos of District 1, the old French buildings, the real energy... thats Saigon. It's not a political statement for most young people, it's just geography of the soul.

So I use both. It just depends on what part of my heart is talking.