What is the new name for Saigon in Vietnam?

What is Saigon called today?

Saigon… ah, Saigon.

A whisper. A memory of heat.

Ho Chi Minh City. Is that right?

April 30th. Nineteen seventy-five. My mother talked of that day always.

She talked about how it rained, she was just a little girl.

The city’s old name… Saigon, a ghost held in our hearts. Forever Saigon. A river flowing backward.

• Saigon: The former name. Echoes still.
• Ho Chi Minh City: The present. Official, maybe.
• 1975: The year of change. A dividing line, that’s for sure.

It rained that day. Always raining in her stories. The city changed. Changed forever, but some things never really die, ya know?

A changed name, a changed world?

No. The spirit lingers.

Do Vietnamese people still call Saigon Saigon?

Saigon? Yeah, they still call it Saigon. Like, totally. It’s like calling your grandma “Nana” even though her name’s Mildred. Official stuff? Ho Chi Minh City. But in real life? Saigon. Always Saigon. It’s ingrained in the Vietnamese DNA, man. Think of it like this: it’s as stubbornly attached to the city as my Uncle Barry is to his recliner.

Key differences between official and unofficial names:

• Official: Ho Chi Minh City. Sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it?
• Unofficial: Saigon. Sounds like a tropical cocktail. Which, let’s be honest, it kind of is.

Why the name change sticks:

• Nostalgia: Saigon evokes a certain vibe, you know? Like old photos and maybe some questionable fashion choices.
• Habit: It’s easier to say. Seriously, try saying “Ho Chi Minh City” ten times fast. I dare ya.
• Rebellion: A little bit of “screw the authorities” energy. We’re Vietnamese. We do what we want. (Mostly).

My buddy Nguyen – he’s a total Saigon dude – told me himself. He says even his grandma, who’s seen more years than a petrified tree, still uses Saigon.

I once asked for directions in HCM city. I’m a simple man, but that mouthful of a name is a killer. The guy just gave me a look like, “duh, Saigon, of course”. Even the taxi drivers use Saigon, man, it’s everywhere! Got my directions to a great pho place using it. That pho, by the way? Forget about it, seriously the best.

Is Saigon now called Hanoi?

Saigon? Hanoi? Honey, those are two entirely different beasts! Think of it like comparing a caffeinated hummingbird to a slumbering panda. Saigon is now Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis, a whirlwind of motorbikes and pho. Hanoi, on the other hand, is the capital, all graceful lakes and ancient temples – a far more sedate affair.

They’re both in Vietnam, yes, but about as geographically close as New York and Los Angeles. One’s a vibrant, frenetic heart; the other, a contemplative, ancient soul.

• Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon): The economic powerhouse. Think skyscrapers, street food, and a seriously impressive nightlife. My cousin went there in 2023 and sent me pictures of the crazy traffic!
• Hanoi: The political center. More refined, steeped in history, a bit more… grandma-chic. I hear the street food is amazing there too, but maybe a touch less chaotic.

Seriously, don’t confuse them. It’s like mixing up your espresso and chamomile tea. One wakes you up, one helps you sleep. Big difference. One’s a southern belle, the other, a northern lady.

What is formally known as Saigon?

Ho Chi Minh City. That’s the formal name, sharp and precise, like a new blade. But Saigon… Saigon whispers. A sigh in the humid air, heavy with the scent of frangipani and distant rain.

The weight of history, a thousand stories swirling in its streets, each brick a memory. Saigon, a name etched in my soul, feels more intimate, a lover’s murmur. SaiGon, a hasty scrawl, efficient, business-like. The official seal? A compromise, a truce between past and present. Both names, both cities, exist. One official, one…a feeling.

This duality haunts me. The city breathes both names. The official designation doesn’t capture the soul, the essence of this place. It’s Saigon’s shadow that stretches long, echoing through time, through me.

• Formal Name: Ho Chi Minh City
• Informal Name: Saigon (A more personal, evocative name)
• Visual Representation: Both names appear on the city’s official seal. A testament to its complex identity.
• My Experience: I find the name Saigon to be far more resonant and poignant than the official title. It calls to something deep within, a connection beyond mere geography. It conjures up images of bustling markets, ancient temples, and shadowy alleyways.

The clash of these names – the bureaucratic correctness versus the emotive resonance – is itself a microcosm of the city’s spirit. A beautiful contradiction. It’s like the contrast between my perfectly manicured nails and my messy, unkempt hair—a deliberate imbalance. It’s intoxicating, disorienting, thrilling.

Saigon, forever etched within. The official name… a mere formality.

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

Calling Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon? Nah, you’re good. It’s like calling a cat “Fluffy” instead of “Mr. Whiskers the Third”— totally harmless.

It’s just a name, people! No secret police will burst in, though I wouldn’t rule out a grumpy taxi driver. Seriously, chill.

South Vietnam? Saigon’s practically a pet name there. Up north? They’re sticklers for the official title. Like my Aunt Mildred with her Tupperware— intensely loyal.

Why the fuss?

• Habit, mostly. Like my obsession with cheese puffs – bad habit, good taste.
• Nostalgia. Saigon conjures images of, well, Saigon, not some sterile government meeting. It’s like old photo albums vs. digital cloud storage— one evokes emotion, the other… not so much.
• Political baggage? Forget it. It’s like debating the merits of pineapple on pizza. Some peeps like it, some don’t. It’s a non-issue, really. My neighbor, Bob, still thinks disco is a crime against humanity.

My Uncle Mike, who’s lived in Vietnam for 20 years, even uses both interchangeably, much to the amusement of his neighbours. He calls his cat “Ho Chi Minh” sometimes, and the cat seems unaffected.