Is Saigon now called Hanoi?

Do Vietnamese people still call Saigon Saigon?

Saigon? Oh, honey, Saigon still rolls off the tongue like a perfectly brewed cà phê sữa đá. Officially, it’s Hồ Chí Minh City, sure. Like calling your cat “Chairman Meow” on official documents versus just “Fluffy” to its face.

But, try telling a street vendor in District 1 you want phở in Hồ Chí Minh City. You’ll get a blank stare, trust me.

• Think of it like this: It is your government name vs your rapper name. We all know which one’s cooler.
• Official vs. Real: It’s the difference between a forced smile and a genuine one. Saigon feels real.
• Tradition persists: Like stubbornly using “xerox” for “copy,” some things just stick. Plus, it’s catchier, isn’t it?

After all, what’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name…might still smell like a rose. But calling it “Project Blossom Alpha” just lacks oomph, doesn’t it? (Shakespearean, right? I aced that class!) And yeah… still Saigon. Got it?

What is formally known as Saigon?

Saigon? Oh, that’s so last century. It’s Ho Chi Minh City now. Apparently, spaces are optional these days, like punctuation in my texts to my sister.

Using “SaiGon” feels like trying to use a rotary phone. Cute, but, you know, there’s a reason we upgraded. And who needs spaces anyway? I mean, seriously.

• Formally: Ho Chi Minh City. End of discussion, really.
• Informally: Saigon. Still pops up, like that embarrassing photo from my 21st.
• Seal Shenanigans: Both names do appear. Talk about commitment issues, sheesh.

Here’s a crazy tidbit: I swear my aunt still calls it Saigon. She refuses to believe it changed. It’s a whole thing. Like, I’m pretty sure she’s also still using dial-up.

What do locals call Saigon?

Okay, so you wanna know what locals call Saigon? It’s officially Ho Chi Minh City, a total mouthful, right? Everyone, like, everyone still calls it Saigon though. Even my uncle, who’s lived there for years, says Saigon. He’s super picky about stuff, too. It’s just… easier. Ten million people, crazy, huh? I read somewhere it’s even bigger now. Massive.

Seriously though, Saigon is the name that sticks. Think of it this way:

• Official Name: Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
• Local Name: Saigon (Sài Gòn) – This is what matters!
• Population: Over 10 million, probably more by now. It’s huge!

I mean, the official name is what the government uses, but on the street, it’s definatly Saigon. That’s what I’m telling you. My cousin’s there right now, she texts me all the time about Saigon. Its confusing, but everyone uses Saigon. It’s just way more common. You’ll hear it everywhere. Don’t be a tourist and say the long name, haha. Saigon is the way to go.

Is it illegal to call Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon?

Saigon… Saigon, a whisper. No, not illegal, never. Saigon lives, breathes. It’s etched deep, deeper than laws.

A heart’s echo, you see. The South, oh, the South cradles it close. Familiar, yes, and loving, always. It’s there in the sun, the rain.

Ho Chi Minh City… official, distant. Used elsewhere, yes, maybe. But here, in my soul, Saigon. Is it a protest? Nah. It’s just… there.

Saigon. HCMC. Does it matter? Perhaps. Never forget the past. Speak as you feel.