An etymology of Saigon (or Sài Gòn in Vietnamese) is that Sài is a Sino-Vietnamese word (Hán tự: 柴) meaning firewood, lops, twigs; palisade, while Gòn is another Sino-Vietnamese word (Hán tự: 棍) meaning stick, pole, bole, and whose meaning evolved into cotton in Vietnamese (bông gòn, literally cotton stick,

What is the original name of Saigon?

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh, formerly (until 1976) Saigon, largest city in Vietnam. It was the capital of the French protectorate of Cochinchina (1862–1954) and of South Vietnam (1954–75).

Is Saigon a French name?

Upon capturing the city during the Cochinchina Campaign in 1859, the French officially westernized the citys traditional name into Saigon (French: Saïgon). The Vietnamese most often write the name as Sài Gòn, in two words, following the traditional convention in Vietnamese spelling.

Is Saigon a French word?

Upon capturing the city during the Cochinchina Campaign in 1859, the French officially westernized the citys traditional name into Saigon (French: Saïgon). The Vietnamese most often write the name as Sài Gòn, in two words, following the traditional convention in Vietnamese spelling.

Do people still say Sài Gòn?

Vietnams former capital has not one, but two names: Ho Chi Minh City and Saigon. 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.