What is the official name of Saigon?

Should I call it Saigon or Ho Chi Minh?

Ugh, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City… What a mess. It’s all so political, isn’t it?

Like, whatever. I’m not trying to start a war over place names. HCMC is official tho.

• Ho Chi Minh City is the official name.

• Saigon refers to a district within HCMC.

Using “Saigon”… well, kinda feels more… familiar, you know? I get why people still say it. My grandma still says “Saigon.”

But then again, it’s like… disrespecting Ho Chi Minh, maybe?

• Older generations tend to use Saigon.

• Governmental and Official contexts use Ho Chi Minh City.

The foreigner correcting you is kinda annoying tho.

Saigon carries weight.

• Saigon represents the city’s history

• HCM is its future

It’s not wrong per se. Depends WHO you’re talking to, right? It’s like… saying “Frisco” for San Francisco…don’t do that. I hate that.

I was there last year. I visited the Reunification Palace… wow!

• The Reunification Palace is now called the Independence Palace.

Anyway, I use HCMC for official stuff, but Saigon when chatting with family? I lived there for 30 years. Saigon feels like home, gotta be honest.

Should I call it Saigon or Ho Chi Minh?

Honestly, calling it “Ho Chi Minh City” is the officially sanctioned, politically correct, utterly boring choice. Think beige walls and sensible shoes. But Saigon? Ah, Saigon whispers of tropical breezes and illicit romances. It’s the city’s sultry alter ego, a mischievous sprite compared to HCMC’s staid older sibling.

Using “Saigon” is like wearing a vibrant silk áo dài instead of a sensible pantsuit. It’s more evocative, more… interesting.

However, avoiding offense is important. Many Vietnamese, especially older generations, have strong feelings about the name change, so blundering into that conversation carelessly, like a bull in a rice paddy, is not advisable.

Here’s the deal:

• Officially: Ho Chi Minh City. Period. Full stop. End of sentence.

• Among friends (with appropriate context): Saigon. It’s a conversation starter, guaranteed. Unless you’re in a formal setting – then stick to the official name.

My recommendation? Unless you’re writing a formal letter to the Prime Minister, or giving a university lecture, using “Saigon” is often perfectly acceptable, even among Vietnamese people I know. But err on the side of caution. It’s like wearing a daring hat to a funeral: potentially stylish but potentially disastrous.

Think of it this way: Saigon is the nickname, Ho Chi Minh City the full name. You’d call your best friend by their nickname, right? Unless they’re your boss…or the prime minister. Then it’s Mr./Ms. [Formal Name], no ifs, ands, or buts.

Pro-tip: Learn a few Vietnamese phrases. It’s far more impressive than mastering the nuances of toponymy. My favorite: “Cảm ơn!” (Thank you!). It’s like instant charm. Try it. You’ll see.