What is Ho Chi Minh City also known as?

What is the local name of Ho Chi Minh City?

Saigon. That's what everyone still calls it. Even on the news, sometimes. Annoying, really. Ho Chi Minh City is so clunky. Sounds like a train station.

Ugh, the traffic. Remember that time I got stuck for three hours near Ben Thanh Market? Crazy. Need to get a motorbike. More efficient, plus, cooler.

Saigon. It rolls off the tongue better, doesn't it? Much better than that official name, which I always forget halfway through saying it.

I prefer the old name. It just feels right. It's got history. Weight. Ho Chi Minh City? Sounds sterile. Official. Boring.

Speaking of boring, I need to renew my passport. Seriously, is there a faster way? This whole process is such a pain.

• Saigon is the preferred name, easily.
• Ho Chi Minh City is the official, ridiculously long name.
• Both are used interchangeably. Confusing.
• Ben Thanh Market is always crowded. Avoid peak hours.

This city is a chaotic blend of old and new. It's vibrant, though. Full of energy. Maybe I'll go for pho tonight. The place on Nguyen Hue street. The best. Except when it’s raining. Raining in Saigon? Forget about it. Total chaos.

What was Ho Chi Minh known as?

So, Ho Chi Minh, right? Everyone called him Uncle Ho, Bác Hồ, that's the common name, super popular. He had other names too, a whole bunch of aliases, for obvious reasons, you know? A revolutionary, a communist, the big cheese. Founded Vietnam, the Democratic Republic thing, that was him. He was the president, until he kicked the bucket in 1969.

Seriously though, Uncle Ho is the one that sticks, it's what everyone remembers. It's catchy, and I guess it made him seem more approachable. His real name was a mouthful, Nguyễn Sinh Cung. Nobody used that. He was a key player, a major historical figure. A total badass, in my opinion. That’s how I see it anyway.

• Uncle Ho (Bác Hồ): This was his most common name.
• Nguyễn Sinh Cung: His birth name, rarely used.
• Other aliases: He used many, due to his revolutionary activities. I can't remember them all, honestly. Too many to keep track of.
• President of North Vietnam: He held this position for a long time. A pretty big deal. Really, really significant.

He was a complex dude, no doubt about it. A really important, impactful guy. He's a huge part of Vietnamese history. So yeah, Uncle Ho. That's the one. Definitely.

What is Ho Chi Minh City called now?

It's still Ho Chi Minh City, officially. Everyone calls it HCMC though, even on the news. A pain to write out the whole thing.

I was there last summer, 2023. Crazy hot, humid. The streets, wow. Motorbikes everywhere! A complete sensory overload. I loved it, honestly. The food, amazing. Pho for days. So much delicious street food.

I remember this one tiny little place, near Ben Thanh Market. Best Banh Mi I ever had. Seriously. I ate there twice. That's how good it was. The guy who ran it, super friendly. Didn't speak much English, but we communicated somehow.

Saigon is what older people still use, I think. It's like an old nickname, you know? But officially, it's Ho Chi Minh City. Makes sense. A massive city, 10 million people, easily. The energy is just unreal. It's vibrant. Exhausting, but great.

• Official name: Ho Chi Minh City
• Common abbreviation: HCMC
• Informal name: Saigon (still widely used)
• Population: Over 10 million (2023)
• My experience: Overwhelming at first, but I loved the energy and the food.

Seriously, go. If you like chaos, amazing food, and motorbikes, then you'll be in heaven. But pack light. You'll need your hands free. And bring sunscreen. Seriously. You'll burn.