So, which is it? Officially, the southern metropoliss name is Ho Chi Minh City, and has been for many years, but there are still a number of locals and visitors alike that call it Saigon. The importance of these two differing titles goes back to the Vietnam War, which ended not so long ago in 1975.

Is Saigon and Ho Chi Minh the same?

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.

Why did they change the name from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh?

The Vietnam War was actually between the North and South of Vietnam. In 1975, the North of Vietnam won the war and changed the name of Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City, in honour of the prime minister, a revolutionary leader of the communist party.

Is there a red light district in Saigon?

In Ho Chi Minh City, there are also “red light streets” operating day and night, the most bustling is Tan Son Street (Go Vap District, the area adjacent to Tan Binh District). Another “red light district” is also always bustling is the area around Hoa Binh Park (District 5).