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.
I continue to explore the city, as one of my favorite hobbies is riding a motorbike. I like going on long rides, sometimes lasting a few hours, and finding different places to eat, have coffee or tea, or see interesting architecture or other sights. Over time, I’ve interacted with countless locals from all over Vietnam.
To this day, I am still interested in whether you should say Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon and why Vietnamese locals choose one or the other.
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 their 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.
The city’s official name is Ho Chi Minh City. So, if you have any forms to fill out, any paperwork for visas or banking, or anything official involving the Vietnamese government or other governments, you should use Ho Chi Minh City.
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 Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport still uses the airport code (SGN)
Do Vietnamese Say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City? And Why?
I hear Saigon and Ho Chi Minh (City) spoken interchangeably by locals daily. Saigon is definitely more common, at least in Ho Chi Minh City. I don’t know 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 likely 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.
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.
Clearly, some people call it Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City based on political views. But it is 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.” It’s usually “Saigon,” “SG,” “HCM,” “HCMC,” or “HCM City.” All of those are common when texting.
Before the renaming and before all of the current city’s districts, Saigon referred to the city center areas of District 1 and District 3 and their surroundings. Because of this, some Vietnamese use Saigon to refer to the city center.
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 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’ve followed the locals’ lead on the Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City “debate.” I 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 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, 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 pro-North because this might upset them, even though they may never say.
Speaking to Vietnamese friends, the Vietnamese understand the confusion of tourists, especially with the airport code still being SGN and how much of the country still says Saigon when speaking. It’s already not a big deal, but as visitors, we are given even more leeway.
When dealing with immigration officials, I’ll say Ho Chi Minh City. When speaking to older Vietnamese (50+ years old) around Ho Chi Minh City, I’ll call it Saigon.
In Da Nang, either is OK.
If you’re in the capital, Hanoi, and you’re unsure which one to use, use its official name. As a visitor, that’s always a safe bet, no matter where you are in Vietnam. But if a Hanoian local leads the way and calls it Saigon, go ahead and do the same.
The bottom line is that Saigon is more casual, and Ho Chi Minh City is more official. If ever in doubt, use the official name.
