Vietnamese people commonly use both names, but largely prefer Saigon (Sài Gòn) for daily, casual conversation, especially in the South, due to its shorter, nostalgic, and familiar nature. Ho Chi Minh City is the official name used in formal contexts, media, and administration, particularly by government officials and in the North.
Saigon fell to the advancing Northern army with little resistance and few casualties. But the next decade wouldn't be so easy for the capital of the now-vanquished Southern regime. Saigon's name was changed to Ho Chi Minh City, to honor the revolutionary leader who had declared independence back in 1945.
The North is definitely more enamored with Ho Chi Minh, which is not surprising and to be expected considering I was in Hanoi at the time and there were pictures of him and Giap inside people's houses while people affectionately called him “Bác Hồ.” The South on the other hand tends to either not care about him as much ...
Is it illegal in Vietnam to call Ho Chi Minh City Saigon?
You'll be fine. In fact, most of the locals still refer to the city as Saigon. Only some recent immigrants from far away northern provinces call it HCMC, but even people from far away provinces know the name Saigon. You will actually hear people say: “I'm going to Sai Gon” more than “I'm going to HCM city.”
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Da Nang's natural beauty, modern conveniences, and cultural vibrancy make it one of the most sought-after cities for solo travelers to call home in Vietnam. Da Nang is one of Vietnam's most liveable cities.
You can say either, but Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is the official name, while Saigon refers more to the central districts and remains common in casual talk, especially for its cultural identity, history, and convenience, with the airport code still being SGN. Use HCMC formally and Saigon informally; locals understand and often prefer Saigon for its familiar feel, though some prefer HCMC to honor reunification.
According to the report "The Wealthiest Cities in the World in 2023" by Henley & Partners in collaboration with New World Wealth, HCMC. Ho Chi Minh City recorded an increase in the number of millionaires by 82% in the period 2012 - 2022, ranking 9th in the ranking of 97 cities.
Kissing in public is not on and even during a romantic night out, please be very discreet. The Vietnamese are often shocked by how much tourists openly show affection, so keep a check on the PDAs! The Vietnamese are not demonstrative so no kissing on the cheek/hugs/backslapping when you say hello.
Ho Chi Minh – The Man Behind Vietnam's Independence Ho Chi Minh (born Nguyễn Sinh Cung in 1890) is widely recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Vietnam's history. He was not only the founding father of modern Vietnam but also a symbol of resilience, independence, and national unity.
Although officially referred to as Ho Chi Minh City, locals from the area (and those who fled from the communist regime during the war) will usually refer to it as Saigon. No matter which name you use, the city offers unique historical insights to all those who spend a little time getting to know its many layers.
North and South were merged as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in July 1976 and the PRG was dissolved. The VC was merged with the Vietnamese Fatherland Front on February 4, 1977.
According to Truong Vinh Ky, the name “Saigon” was transliterated from the Khmer word “Prei Nokor.” “Prei” in Khmer means “forest,” and “Nokor” means “town.” Thus, “Prei Nokor” means “a town in the forest.” Gradually, people mispronounced “Prei” into “Rai,” and then into “Sai.” The word “Nokor” was read as “Kor,” and ...
Albert Delpy was born on 13 September 1940 in Saigon, Vietnam. He is an actor and writer, known for Two Days in Paris (2007), Before Sunset (2004) and Portraitist (2019).
To answer this question, yes, $1000/month is a strong income in Vietnam, especially for the locals. The average salary in Vietnam is approximately $320 per month, so if you earn $1000, you are earning in the top 10-15%. Let's look at what $1000/month can afford: Housing (1-bedroom apartment in city centre): $300-500.
Vietnam's Budget Airline Founder Is Southeast Asia's Only Woman Billionaire. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, CEO of VietJet Air, has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.
At the conclusion of the Vietnam War, on April 30, 1975, the city came under the control of the Vietnamese People's Army, and in 1976, upon the establishment of the unified communist Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the city of Saigon was renamed Ho Chí Minh City in honour of the late communist leader Ho Chí Minh.
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is the sole legal party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV). Founded in 1930 by Ho Chi Minh, the CPV became the ruling party of North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam; DRV) in 1954 after the First Indochina War and all of Vietnam in 1975 after the Vietnam War.
Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi now boast a growing number of English-speaking locals, trendy cafes, and international-standard services, making travel for non-Vietnamese speakers more accessible than ever.
Most Vietnamese locals primarily use cash, but card payments are becoming increasingly more popular. If you're going to be travelling to well-known tourist areas, you'll be able to pay for almost everything by card. However, there are still certain situations when you might need cash.
