Should You Say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City?

When I started traveling abroad by coming to Vietnam in 2018, I also wondered if I should be saying Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, I have lived in four different districts in Ho Chi Minh City: District 2, District 7, District 8, and Phu Nhuan.

Over the years, I’ve interacted with countless locals from all over Ho Chi Minh City and elsewhere in Vietnam. I still find it interesting how some locals call it Saigon, and others say Ho Chi Minh City. This goes for anywhere that I’ve traveled in Vietnam.

The history of HCMC is a great reason to visit. I continue to explore HCMC, as one of my favorite things to do in HCMC is riding a motorbike. I personally love discovering new places to eat, new viewpoints or gems, or re-visiting the city’s historic sites and museums.

Some of the best historic sites are the Independence Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and the Saigon Central Post Office. There are many others in HCMC.

What Should You Say: Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City?

From Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City: A (Very) Brief History

The Vietnam War occurred from 1954-1975. It saw North Vietnam and its allies against South Vietnam and its allies. South Vietnam ultimately lost, and Saigon fell and surrendered on April 30, 1975.

The following year, on July 2, 1976, the North and South of Vietnam were formally unified, and Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after Ho Chi Minh, the former president and first leader of North Vietnam.

Here’s a video I filmed at Ho Chi Minh’s Statue in District 1.

Interestingly, there are things around Ho Chi Minh City still named after or referring to Saigon: 

• The river is called Sông Sài Gòn (Saigon River)
• The train station is called Ga Sài Gòn (Saigon Station)
• The famous church is called the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon
• The Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport still uses the airport code (SGN)
• The Saigon Central Post Office (a great place to buy souvenirs in HCMC)

Do Vietnamese Say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? And Why?

I hear Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City spoken interchangeably by locals daily — though most people usually leave off the “City,” and just say Ho Chi Minh. Saigon is definitely more common, at least in Ho Chi Minh City. I don’t know exactly why both are used, but I have some guesses.

First, compared to saying Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is more of a mouthful. Saigon is definitely zippier when spoken. Even removing City still has Ho Chi Minh at three syllables compared to Saigon’s two.

Through Vietnamese friends, I know that many Vietnamese don’t care one way or the other. They use Saigon when speaking because it’s easier to say, and Ho Chi Minh City for anything official. For many, it’s really as simple as that.

My next guess revolves around the city’s history. I think there are locals here in Ho Chi Minh City who refer to it as Saigon, not out of brevity, but because they or their ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) are from what was Saigon (before it was renamed).

For those born here before it was renamed, it may always be Saigon to them. And since family and ancestral worship are very important parts of Vietnamese culture, this bond with Saigon would be passed down.

I think it’s fair to say that some people call it Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City based on political views. But without knowing each person’s background or views, it’s hard to tell people’s motivations because saying Saigon really is just much zippier.

When texting with Vietnamese friends, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone write “Ho Chi Minh City” in full. It’s usually “Saigon,” “SG,” “HCM,” “HCMC,” or “HCM City.” All of those are common when texting.

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? What I Say as an Expat in Vietnam

Part of my excitement about first moving to Vietnam in 2018, then living in HCMC, was to experience how things are here and leave my own views and expectations about culture and society behind.

As a guest in Vietnam, I followed the lead of locals in saying Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. I now use them interchangeably. Not once throughout my years living in Vietnam has anyone ever told me that I shouldn’t say Saigon. It’s been entirely a non-issue.

But I am somewhat always aware of how and when I use it. Like most travelers, I don’t want to disrespect my hosts, so I don’t walk around calling it Saigon all day.

Political views aside, the North did win back then, and now North supporters are all over. And since the entire country is my host, I wouldn’t want to call it Saigon to someone who’s pro-North because this might upset them, even though they may never say. It’s just my personal choice.

Speaking to Vietnamese friends, the Vietnamese understand the confusion of tourists, especially with the airport code still being SGN, how much of the country still says Saigon when speaking, and how many places of interest still have Saigon somewhere in the name. It’s already not a big deal, but as visitors, we are given more leeway.

When dealing with immigration officials, I say Ho Chi Minh City because that is technically the official name. When speaking to older Vietnamese (50+ years old) around Ho Chi Minh City, I usually call it Saigon. I’ve never had any issues or eyebrows raised anywhere.

In Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue, either is OK. I use both interchangeably.

If you’re in Hanoi, the capital, and you’re unsure which one to use, use its official name: Ho Chi Minh City. Many of Vietnam’s important historical sites are in Hanoi, like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. He led the Vietnamese revolution for independence and is a very important figure, especially in Hanoi, where he lived and worked.

As a visitor to Vietnam, using the official name, Ho Chi Minh City, is always a safe bet, no matter where you are in Vietnam. But if you’re having a conversation with a local in Hanoi, and they refer to it as Saigon first, then go ahead and do the same if you want.