Not only is Ho Chi Minh City the center of the Southern region, but it is also the largest metropolis of Vietnam. Besides Hanoi, this city is the economic, cultural, and political center that all Vietnamese people are proud to recognize. However, foreign tourists may get confused when locals call this city both Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City.
Which name is correct? Finding out the amazing story behind these two names.
Surprisingly, the first name given to this city was not Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City but Prey Nokôr.
Archaeological studies show that people have settled in this area since prehistoric times and it was until the peak of the Khmer around the 11th century that the name Prey Nokôr became popular. Ancient people called this city Prey Nokôr in Khmer for several centuries. Although there is no precise delineation of Prey Nokôr's territory, it is believed to be located in the current area of Saigon Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, and the surrounding Mekong Delta.
The first Saigon - Go Vap train route was in 1910
In the Khmer language, Prey means forest and Nokôr means city. Therefore, Prey Nokôr means forest city because the surrounding area was covered with many trees then. Most Khmer people still use this name to the present day.
Over the centuries, this area was officially renamed Gia Dinh around the 1690s, before becoming well-known by the more familiar name Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City.
Specifically, Nguyen Huu Canh received an order from Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu to re-establish the administrative structure of this area and establish Gia Dinh Palace in 1698. Thanks to that decision, this area officially belonged to the strict administrative control of the Vietnam nation. In 1832, when Le Van Duyet, the head of Gia Dinh passed away, King Minh Mang officially divided the South into six provinces, including Gia Dinh province.
In the travelogue One Month in Cochinchina written by Pham Quynh in 1918, he said that Gia Dinh land was the oldest area in the South, with many historical ties to the dynasty. When the dynasty first exploited the South, they built a base there. Then, King Gia Long revived the empire, attacked Tay Son, and set up the town of Sourthern there. Therefore, in the past, the name Gia Dinh was often used to refer to the entire Southern region.
Ben Thanh Market - the symbol of Saigon was built in the 1910s
The name Gia Dinh has many different profound meanings. Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu named the region "Gia Dinh," which symbolised a peaceful and prosperous country. However, the Malay speakers residing in the area interpreted this name as cool, which is related to the presence of well-developed waterways in the vicinity.
Currently, some ancient maps still use the name Gia Dinh to refer to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam today.
The old map of Gia Dinh by Tran Van Hoc in 1815
Around the beginning of 1600, the people of the Central region reclaimed the South as a place for trading. It was not until in 1698 when the Nguyen dynasty entered the South and built an official government, that Sài Gòn (or Saigon) was officially established.
However, the exact origin of the name Saigon remains controversial to this day. Some people believe that the name Saigon was formed in daily life when Vietnamese inhabitants migrated to the city because there were many Kapok trees there. Otherwise, others assert that the name Saigon was of Chinese origin to refer to the Chinese area in Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City - Cho Lon.
The three hundred-years-old kapok trees at Giac Lam Pagoda
Although the origin of the previous names was not specifically confirmed, the name Saigon was established by the Nguyen Dynasty and was also first mentioned officially by Le Quy Don in 1776. According to Le Quy Don, "Saigon" first appeared in historical records in 1674. After that, the name Saigon was widely used instead of Gia Dinh.
Besides, other French government documents showed that the name Saigon was used since 1784. Afterward, "Saigon" became popular with the Vietnamese since the French colonists began to conquer this city and abandoned the old name Gia Dinh in 1959.
The rare photos describe the lives of ancient Saigon people
Despite its name change nearly 50 years ago, Saigon continues to be widely used. This is not solely due to its reference in lots of locations, but also because Vietnamese people love using this familiar name.
Saigon Station in District 3 still retains the name "Saigon" even though the city has officially changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City
More specifically, flight information keeps using "Saigon" as Tan Son Nhat International Airport uses the IATA code SGN. Several buildings in the city still have the name Saigon, such as the Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Opera House, and Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon.
At the same time, some publishers, book titles, and businesses have continued to use the word "Saigon" up to now.
The name Ho Chi Minh has been cherished for this city since 1946. Doctor Tran Huu Nghiep, an intellectual then, came up with the idea of changing the name Saigon to Ho Chi Minh. After gaining support at the Central Southern Office, Ho Chi Minh's name appeared for the first time on the front page of Cuu Quoc newspaper with the headline: SAIGON City Will From Now On Be Renamed HO CHI MINH City.
Finally, the city was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976 to express gratitude for the contributions of the great leader Ho Chi Minh to the national liberation. Since then, this city must be referred to by the officially approved name of Ho Chi Minh City in all official documents used, whether by government or business.
For all citizens, the name of this city means clear will, expressing Vietnamese patriotism.
Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon in a photo taken by a Swiss photographer in 1989
The official name Ho Chi Minh City has been used consistently in all official documents such as paperwork, news, and textbooks since 1975 until now. The abbreviation for Ho Chi Minh City is HCM City or HCMC.
Unlike other cities such as Ha Noi and Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City is the only city using the word "City" to distinguish it from Uncle Ho’s name.
Although the name was officially changed to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese people, especially those in the southern region, keep calling the city Saigon. Not only is it a habit maintained for many generations, but the name Saigon is still a precious memory that recalls a place once known as the pearl of the Far East.
Ho Chi Minh City has developed rapidly during 45 years of independence since 1975
In addition, Saigon has only two syllables, which is easier to call and remember.
Another interesting thing is that some people call Saigon to refer to District 1 Ho Chi Minh City. However, this calling is not popular. Most people use Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City to refer to the entire city.
District 2 and Binh Thanh District are divided by Saigon Bridge
In daily communication, you can freely call the city Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. Both two names are used frequently.
Ho Chi Minh City has the modern beauty of a dynamic city leading the national economy
Visitors to Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City can bring back unforgettable memories because of the amiable local people
However, you should use Ho Chi Minh City in administrative documents because this is the legal name of the city.
A: You can call both names in any communication situation. The fact that Saigon is preferred because of its convenience. Otherwise, Ho Chi Minh City should be used in administrative documents.
A: They don't care if you call this city Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. No one blames you for this situation.
A: Both names refer to the same city in Vietnam. It is the central city of Southern Vietnam and is considered the most developed city in the country.
Map of Ho Chi Minh City (updated in 2023)
Both two names Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City are used to refer to the most modern and developed city in Vietnam today. You can freely call the city Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City depending on your wishes. No matter how many times it has changed the city name, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City still retains its beauty mixed between modern and ancient along with honest and hospitable local people.
See more about Ho Chi Minh City:
>> Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Saigon
>> Saigon Independence Palace - The Pride of Ho Chi Minh City
>> Top 5 Dinner Cruises in Saigon
