The current name was given after the Fall of Saigon in 1975, and honors Hồ Chí Minh, the first leader of North Vietnam. Even today, however, the informal name of Sài Gòn remains in daily speech both domestically and internationally, especially among the Vietnamese diaspora and local southern Vietnamese.
No, not at all. The two names does not make any kind of political statement; we use them as the habit of speaking only. If you stay in the south of Vietnam, the name “Saigon” would sound more familiar and loving. However, people in other areas will prefer using the official name of Ho Chi Minh city.
When the Northern Vietnamese Army gained control on April 30th, 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City to honor Uncle Ho's sacrifice and leadership in the revolution. This country's north and the south region could finally reunite, which brought an end to the Vietnam War.
In fact, the city's District 1 officially remains Saigon.
So, yes, it is unlikely to offend anyone.
Well, the official name is Ho Chi Minh City (often abbreviated „HCMC“), although the southern metropolis has been called Saigon for centuries. But after the Americans, and with them South Vietnam lost the war in 1975, North Vietnam took over and forcefully re-united the split country.
During the Second Indochina War (or Vietnam War) in the 1960s and early '70s, Saigon was the headquarters of U.S. military operations. Parts of the city were destroyed by fighting in 1968. On April 30, 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, and the city was subsequently renamed Ho Chi Minh City.
On 6 January 1946, the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam designated Hanoi as the capital of the newly independent country, which would last during the First Indochina War (1946–1954) and the Vietnam War (1955–1975). Hanoi has been the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam since 1976.
Ho Chi Minh City (abbreviated HCMC), formerly and still commonly known as Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 9.3 million in 2023.
Ultimately, the choice between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City depends on what you are interested in seeing and doing. If you prefer a more traditional and historical experience, then Hanoi may be a better choice. If you want a more modern and vibrant atmosphere, then Ho Chi Minh City may be the better option.
The fight between the United States and South Vietnam on one hand and North Vietnam and the National Liberation Front, strongly backed by the Soviet Union and mainland China, on the other, ended with the victory of the North Vietnamese in 1975.
Ho Chi Minh is a very safe city as long as you practice basic safety precautions. Of course, there's always some risk wherever you travel. But in the case of Ho Chi Minh, violent crime rates are low.
Communist forces overran Saigon on 30 April 1975, marking the end of the Republic of Vietnam. On 2 July 1976, the North Vietnam-controlled Republic of South Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) merged to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Annam, which originated as a Chinese name in the seventh century, was the common name of the country during the colonial period. Nationalist writer Phan Bội Châu revived the name "Vietnam" in the early 20th century.
Avoid Public Touching: Public displays of affection are not seen as appropriate. Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered.
As with many Asian cities, Ho Chi Minh City is very safe for travelers. However, there are still some things that travelers should keep in mind to stay safe during their visit: Beware of thieves: Bag snatching and petty crime is very common, so be sure to take extra caution in busy areas or tourist spots.
Hanoi is portrayed as a more peaceful land, compared to Saigon, and Hanoians are calmer.
A new name—and new masters
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 Vietnam Conflict Extract Data File of the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) Extract Files contains records of 58,220 U.S. military fatal casualties of the Vietnam War.
Hanoi has had many names throughout history, all of them of Sino-Vietnamese origin. During the Chinese domination of Vietnam, it was known first as Long Bien, then Tong Binh and Long Do. In 866, the city was turned into a citadel and named Dai La.
Many ethnic minorities, particularly among the H'mong, Zao, and Jarai groups in the Northwest and Central Highlands, have converted to Protestantism. Undeclared missionaries from several countries are active in the country. Foreign missionaries legally are not permitted to proselytize or perform religious activities.
Hanoi is quite safe to walk around at night. I felt safe walking around Hanoi at night in the old quarter, where streetside food vendors were abundant and businesses stayed open well into the evening. That said, like anywhere in the world, I wouldn't have felt comfortable walking down dark, deserted streets alone.
Hanoi remained the administrative centre during the Japanese occupation (1940–45) of the territory. In August 1945, following the Japanese surrender, the Viet Minh under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh seized power in Hanoi, and the city was established as the capital of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.