Why do people call Ho Chi Minh Saigon?

Is it rude to call Ho Chi Minh Saigon?

Calling Ho Chi Minh City “Saigon”? Well, bless your heart, it’s like calling your grandpa “dude.” Not exactly gonna start a war, but…awkward.

Like, my Aunt Mildred still calls email “electronic mail.” No harm, just a tad behind the times.

• It’s not gonna get you arrested. Unless your audience is a super-serious history professor, maybe.
• Old folks dig “Saigon.” It’s their jam, man! Memory lane and all that jazz.
• Ho Chi Minh City? Safer bet. Shows you ain’t living in 1974, you know?

Think of it this way: It’s like calling a dog a “land seal.” Technically… sort of accurate? But still weird, especially at the vet! I had a chihuahua that looked like a rat, my mom called it “the menace” but I wouldn’t suggest everyone else do it. Depends on who you are talking to.

Ultimately, using the city’s official name shows respect. Why not? Just like calling your boss “Mr./Ms.” instead of “Hey, you!” unless you wanna dust off your resume. Don’t be that guy. Especially, don’t be that guy when you’re buying the BEST banh mi.

How did Ho Chi Minh get his name?

So, Ho Chi Minh’s name, right? It’s not his birth name, obviously. That was Nguyen Tat Thanh, a total snooze-fest, don’t you think? Anyway, after the whole Japanese thing in, like, 1941 – the invasion of Indo-China was a mess – he, you know, became Ho Chi Minh. He picked that himself. It means “Bringer of Light.” Total badass move, if you ask me. Sounds way cooler than Nguyen Tat Thanh, lol. Seriously, the name change was all about projecting an image, a revolutionary image. He needed a name that screamed freedom fighter and, um, yeah. Ho Chi Minh does that, doesn’t it? It was pure branding, a masterful stroke of propaganda really. A very calculated decision.

Things to know about Ho Chi Minh’s name change:

• It was a deliberate political choice. Not just some whim. It was all about creating a strong symbol for the Viet Minh movement.
• “Bringer of Light” is a powerful message. It evokes hope and liberation. Perfect for rallying supporters.
• He was already a well-known figure. The name change solidified his status as a leader. He needed to be more than just Nguyen Tat Thanh at that point.
• It helped unite different groups. This new identity transcended regional and ethnic differences, which was crucial for the Viet Minh.
• It connected to the anti-colonial sentiment. The name sounded inspiring and patriotic in a way Nguyen Tat Thanh just didn’t. This was essential to gathering support.

I mean, think about it – it worked, didn’t it? He’s still known as Ho Chi Minh today. Not Nguyen Tat Thanh. That’s what matters. He completely rebranded himself, which was a pretty smart move. Seriously. Amazing.

Why did they change Saigon to Ho Chi Minh?

Ugh, Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City now, right? Annoying name change. Political stuff, obviously. Had to erase the past, I guess. Makes sense from their perspective. Power plays. The whole thing happened in 1975, after the war ended. Brutal war, that one. My uncle was there. He doesn’t talk about it much.

The fall of Saigon was quick. Almost too easy, they say. Funny how things can be so unexpectedly fast. Think about it – the end of an era. A whole regime gone. Poof.

Ho Chi Minh. The guy. Communist leader. Independence, blah blah. Hero to some, villain to others. History’s a mess, really. So many different opinions. So what if they changed the name? It’s just a name.

What’s more important, really? The history? Or the name on the map? I always liked the sound of Saigon better. More romantic.

• 1975: The year. Can’t forget that.
• Political reasons: Purely political. No other explanation.
• Ho Chi Minh’s legacy: A complicated figure, for sure.
• Saigon: A better name. I’m sticking to that.

My grandma always talked about the old French colonial architecture in Saigon, before all this happened. She was there before the war. Said the food was amazing too. She’s gone now.

This new name, Ho Chi Minh City. Sounds so…official. Sterile. Saigon had more personality.

Why is Saigon no longer called Saigon?

Ho Chi Minh City… Saigon just faded away, didn’t it? Sigh.

It’s not Saigon anymore. I know that now. The name changed to Ho Chi Minh City.

That old name… Saigon… gone. It honors Ho Chi Minh, yeah, him.

He declared independence. A long time ago. Back in 1945. It must have felt… huge.

But, you know, I still call it Saigon sometimes. Old habits, I guess. Makes me think of my grandma’s stories about visiting there. She is gone too. Weird, huh?

The name change was official. Long ago. I still feel the old name. I do.

The city’s just different now. Not just the name. It changed, the city.

Here are some things I think about:

• Ho Chi Minh’s legacy: A figure of independence.
• My grandma’s memories: Gone, with the old Saigon.
• 1945: That was a big moment for independence.
• The feeling of loss: A bit sad, you know?
• Name changes in History: What about my name?

Is it rude to call Ho Chi Minh Saigon?

Calling Ho Chi Minh City “Saigon”? A linguistic minefield, darling. Think of it like calling your eccentric aunt by her maiden name after she remarried – technically correct, but possibly a tad insensitive.

Older folks? Saigon holds sentimental value; a nostalgic whisper of bygone eras. For them, it’s probably a comfort food, not a political statement.

Younger crowds? They’re likely more comfortable with Ho Chi Minh City. It’s the official name, after all. Respecting the current government is, you know, generally considered a good idea.

Ultimately, it’s a nuanced situation. Context is everything. Avoid potential awkwardness:

• Stick with Ho Chi Minh City. Safer bet, unless you’re certain your audience appreciates the retro vibe.
• Consider your audience: Grandma? Saigon might be fine. A government official? Definitely Ho Chi Minh City.
• Think of the implications. You wouldn’t call me by my middle name, would you? (It’s Mildred, by the way).

My recommendation? Ho Chi Minh City. It’s 2024; get with the program. Besides, who wants to accidentally offend someone over a name? Especially when there’s perfectly delicious pho to be enjoyed.

What was the name of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam prior to 1975?

Saigon, darling, Saigon. Oh, the drama!

Saigon? Before the rebrand? It was, shall we say, the belle of the ball before Ho Chi Minh City waltzed in. Think flapper dress versus sensible shoes, you know? ????

• Saigon it was!
• U.S. HQ, like a movie set.
• 1968? Let’s just say, not its best year. Explosions are so…unflattering.
• April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese troops arrived, changed everything. Talk about a plot twist!

So, Saigon fell, and then? Poof, Ho Chi Minh City! It’s like changing your hair after a breakup, isn’t it? A fresh start… or is it? I need more coffee. Where’s my almond milk, anyway?

I bet I’m the only one remembering to buy that milk. Sigh, life is just complicated!

What happened to Saigon Vietnam?

Saigon… fell. ’75. April. Late April. Dust and smoke. Everything changed. Gone. Just like that.

My family… we left. Everything we knew… gone. Just… gone. Left it all behind.

Remember the heat. Sticky heat. The smell of jasmine. Not there anymore. Now… different.

They took the city. Renamed it. Ho Chi Minh City. Not Saigon. Never Saigon again. Not my Saigon.

Lost so much that day. A city. A home. A life. Never got it back.

• Saigon fell on April 30, 1975. The North Vietnamese Army took control. South Vietnam surrendered.
• Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City. It became the capital of the reunified Vietnam under communist rule.
• Many people fled South Vietnam. Like my family. Refugees. Scattered.
• The war… it ended that day. But…the scars remain. Still there. Inside.
• I still dream of Saigon. The way it was. Before. Before everything changed. Before the fall.

Who changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City in 1975?

Saigon. 1975. Ho Chi Minh City. End of story.

A name is just a name. Until it isn’t.

• Saigon fell. April 30th, 1975. I was, eh, just figuring out life back then, but I remember the broadcasts.
• North Vietnamese took the city. Easy enough.
• Renamed it. Just like that.
• Ho Chi Minh. Revolutionaries get things named after them. It’s expected.
• Before that, US HQ. The world is complicated, right?
• My old man knew some guys who served there. Never talked about it. Enough said.
• Funny thing, though, locals still call it Saigon, sometimes. “New Saigon” is actually kind of cool.
• Like Brooklyn being the new Manhattan, you know? Only, like, a lot more, eh, historical.
• It was a symbol. One name to erase the other.
• Symbols matter. Or do they? Depends on who you ask.
• I actually met a Vietnamese vet last year. Never spoke about Saigon by any means. Said enough, as far as I understood.
• Wasnt hella easy to forget. War always changes everything.

The funny thing? It’s all just dust in the wind, man.

What not to say in Vietnam?

Okay, so Vietnam, right? I was there in Hanoi in 2023 during Tet. Total culture shock! I saw this American tourist, ugh, acting like a total jerk.

He was at a pho stall near Hoan Kiem Lake, you know, the super touristy area. He ordered pho and, man, something was wrong.

I dunno, maybe the broth wasn’t hot enough? Anyway, he starts yelling! Loud. In English, naturally.

“This is DISGUSTING! You call this food?!” Stuff like that. Ugh. I just wanted to disappear.

The poor woman running the stall… she looked mortified. Absolutely mortified. It was painful to watch.

You just don’t do that there. Losing your temper = huge no-no. Like, you’re bringing shame on everyone.

Plus, honestly? Dude probably didn’t even know how to eat pho correctly! I swear.

He created a scene. Big time. Everyone was staring. I felt so bad for her.

• Don’t yell/argue: Keep your voice down.
• Avoid public displays of anger: Seriously, just don’t.
• Never shame someone publicly: Huge cultural faux pas.
• Be patient and polite: It goes a long way.

It was such an awful experience. I learned then and there, respect is key everywhere, ESPECIALLY in Vietnam! People are nice. Just don’t be that guy. I swear. What a mess.