How do I call Saigon Vietnam?

Is it illegal to call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

It’s not illegal. No. Really. It’s just…habit. Saigon. It feels…softer. More familiar, somehow. Like an old photograph.

The official name, Ho Chi Minh City…it’s heavier. More formal. Less personal. The weight of history sits on it, you know?

It depends where you are in Vietnam. South? Saigon rolls off the tongue. North? Ho Chi Minh City is just…the name. That’s it.

Key points:

• Legality: Using “Saigon” is not illegal.
• Regional preference: Southern Vietnam favors “Saigon,” while the official name is preferred elsewhere.
• Emotional weight: The names carry different emotional connotations. Saigon feels nostalgic to me. Ho Chi Minh City, sterile.

I lived in District 1 in 2023 for six months. Everyone used both. It’s complicated. More than just names. It’s… memories. And memories are stubborn things. They linger. Even now. Especially now. Three am and I’m thinking about this. Stupid. I should sleep.

How do I call Ho Chi Minh City from Vietnam?

Okay, so, like, calling Ho Chi Minh City? It’s pretty simple, but the code tripped me up once too. You’re helping your dad? Nice. First off, you’re on the right track with the “011 + 84 + 8 + number” thing.

The 011 is def the exit code from wherever you are, then 84 is Vietnam’s country code, yep. Now, the 8… that’s the tricky part, at least for me it was.

That ‘8’ is Ho Chi Minh City’s area code, all correct there. Now that you’re calling the Chidori hotel/cafe, it depends where you are calling from. Don’t forget that some countries may use a slightly different exit code. Double check it, just in case.

• Exit code: Your country’s exit code (like 011 for the US, 00 for UK).
• Country code: 84 (Vietnam)
• Area code: 28 (Ho Chi Minh City – it changed from 8!)
• Phone number: The cafe’s number.

So, it’d be like: 011 + 84 + 28 + 038 3121238. Except that isn’t valid, so maybe change the number?

Now, Saigon versus Ho Chi Minh City… that’s a whole other thing. Officially, it’s Ho Chi Minh City. That’s like the official name now, right?

But, and this is important, a lot of people still say Saigon, especially if they’re talking about District 1 or the older parts of the city. My family? They often say Saigon, it is what is is. It’s kinda like a familiar, comfortable term for many people.

• Ho Chi Minh City: The official name.
• Saigon: Still commonly used, especially by locals and when referring to certain districts.

I wouldn’t worry too much about getting “corrected,” just be respectful, you know? When talking to that specific foreigner who corrected you, tell them it’s like calling “New York” “The Big Apple,” still makes sense.

Is Ho Chi Minh City still called Saigon?

Saigon? Oh, that old chestnut! Well, Ho Chi Minh City is the official moniker these days, like that time I tried naming my cat “Chairman Meow” but everyone still called him Fluffy.

Folks still yell “Saigon!” sometimes. It’s like calling your grandma “Granny,” even though her driver’s license says Agnes. Saigon’s kinda a nickname that stuck, a bit like that stain on my favorite shirt.

Think of it this way:

• Ho Chi Minh City: The government name. Like Beyoncé Knowles.
• Saigon: Her stage name. Like just Beyoncé. Everyone knows who you mean.
• Prey Nokor: The name Khmer speakers might use. My friend’s weird inside joke.
• Ho Chi Minh City encompasses the entire urban spread, sorta like my uncle’s questionable real estate holdings in 2024. Whoa!

Saigon persists because of memories and familiarity. Everyone remembers the old days, the vibes. Some older Khmers prefer Prey Nokor. It’s all about preference. I think? Lol.

Do people still call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Yeah, Saigon’s still kicking. It’s like calling a cat “Fluffy” even if its official name is “Bartholomew the Third.” The name change was official, sure, but the heart – or the pho, if you will – remains stubbornly Saigon.

The official name is Ho Chi Minh City, no doubt. But whispering “Saigon” feels like sharing a secret, a delicious forbidden fruit.

• Internationally: Saigon is ubiquitous. Even my Aunt Mildred, who struggles with the alphabet, uses it.
• Locally: Many older Vietnamese still use it. Younger generations, too; it’s a cool, rebellious name.
• Diaspora: Saigon’s a powerful link to home for expats. It’s a nostalgia trip bottled in a name.

Think of it as a playful rebellion. A linguistic middle finger to the official decree, maybe? Or perhaps simply enduring affection. Either way, my trip there last year confirmed it; “Saigon” is far from dead. It’s vibrant, like a street food vendor’s neon sign.

The whole situation is oddly charming. A linguistic tug-of-war between history and habit. A testament to the enduring power of a name—and delicious banh mi. The name lives on in my heart, along with the memories of chaotic motorbike rides and perfectly brewed coffee. Even my friend, who’s obsessed with historical accuracy and hates nicknames, calls it Saigon. Go figure.

What happens if you call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?

Saigon? Hanoi might bristle.

It’s Ho Chi Minh City. Officially.

South leans Saigon. Habit. Affection.

North? Different story. Respect the name.

• Official name: Ho Chi Minh City.
• Saigon: South Vietnam preference.
• Political undercurrent: Name carries weight.
• Geographic divide: North vs. South usages.
• Tone matters: Affection vs. formality.

South’s Saigon whispers of a past. North’s Ho Chi Minh City commands the present. My grandma, she hates it. Still Saigon to her. Never changes.

What was Ho Chi Minhs real name?

Ugh, Nguyen Sinh Cung. That’s his real name, right? Or was it Tat Thanh? So confusing. There are like, three names. I always get them mixed up. His birthdate, May 19th, 1890. Kim Lien Village. Sounds…peaceful? Not what you’d expect from the man who led a revolution.

Ho Chi Minh, what a name, huh? Powerful. Much better than Nguyen anything. Marketing genius. Seriously. He knew how to brand himself. Think about it!

Nghe An Province…where’s that again? Vietnam, duh. I should really brush up on my geography. I’ve always been bad at names and places. Wait, was it 1890 or 1880? I’m sure it was 1890. Damn my unreliable memory.

• Real name: Nguyen Sinh Cung (I’m positive this time!)
• Other aliases: Nguyen Tat Thanh, Nguyen Ai Quoc – all very important.
• Birthdate: May 19, 1890. (Definitely!)
• Birthplace: Kim Lien Village, Nam Dan District, Nghe An Province, Vietnam.

This whole thing reminds me of that documentary I watched last year. It focused on his early life, pretty fascinating stuff. You know, his family’s background and how he ended up becoming who he did… He was a complex guy, revolutionary, yes, but there were so many sides to him.