Officially, the southern metropolis’s 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. Although commonly referred to as the American War, the history is a little more complicated than just ‘Vietnam versus America’.

The Vietnam War was actually between the North and South of Vietnam. Communist allies, such as China and the Soviet Union, supported the former, while anti-communist troops, such as America and Australia, helped the latter. 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.

However, some young men may be attracted by some opposite ideas so they wrote something which I think that I need to amend, since they just heard or read information from some people with “special” purposes.

The name “Ho Chi Minh City” is named after our leader “Ho Chi Minh”, and the meaning is just like Washington City or Karlskrona. People in the city and around it accept both names, not like other said. And like Japanese language, “Saigon” is formal call, while “Ho Chi Minh City” is more respectful. But we, people who live there and around there, does not call the city name directly. With long-time residents like me, the name “Saigon” is referred to small area include large part of District 1 and small part of District 3, which people calls as city center. So with us, Saigon means city center.

It reflects an “used-to-be” reality: urban areas of the city conclude District 1, 3 and 5, while District 1 and 3 contains a large part of area named “Saigon” and District 5 - which is area of Chinese Vietnamese (still correct nowaday) - contains a large part named “Cholon”.

So you can hear people refer to them as area “Saigon-Cholon”. Other districts such as District 4, District 6, District 8, Tan Binh District and Go Vap District are counted as suburbs. Now we have more than 12 districts and a bunch of town, in which some districts now be counted as center districts, but people still refer to the city center as “Saigon” area. In short, the most center of city is “Saigon” and the next famous area of the city is “Cholon”.

People around rural area all know both name but they introduce a special way to call the city name. Since they normally show more respects to people, so when they go to the city, they use the word “city” (Vietnamese : thanh pho).

They just simple say “I go to the city” “go up to the city” “go down to the city” and the audience understand immediately that the talking guy want to go to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon. If they want to go to other cities like Can Tho or Binh Duong, they will say “I go to Binh Duong” “I go to Can Tho”. So, “city” word in the southerners is the short name of “Ho Chi Minh city” and is the unofficial name of the city.

The way you call Ho Chi Minh City shows where are you from. Because the city residents treat “Saigon” with differ meaning, and southerners call the city as “city”, if you call the city is “Saigon” or “Ho Chi Minh city”, it means that you are Northerners, centralers or foreigners. Or, you are immigrants so you don’t know those basic things.

The finally mean of Saigon and Ho Chi Minh city that mean Saigon mean just for a little area in center as district 1, district 3, and district 5 (China town) and Ho Chi Minh city is a whole of the city official area includes 19 districts.

You mean reserch a Saigon car rental or Ho Chi Minh car rental with driver will be displayed a same results on the internet. 

Read more here.

How do you get around Saigon Vietnam?

Saigon airport( SGN) or Tan Son Nhat international airport.

Sometimes figuring out transportation from here to there on your relaxing vacation can get stressful. If you just want to make it easy on yourself and avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the questions on price and route, then just book a private airport transfer.Vietnam Trust car rental offers the cheapest taxi Ho Chi Minh airport transfers to hotel just from 10$USD/car/trip.

Book this trip with us now here.

You can book this private taxi transfers Ho Chi Minh airport to hotel with us in advance, and not worry about your transportation even before you depart. What if you make a last-minute order? Don’t worry, since Christina’s airport transfer will be there within just a few minutes.

Grab/Taxi
It is fairly easy to get a Grab car anywhere in Ho Chi Minh city. This will save you a bit of money compared to a taxi. You just need to get the app ready for your smartphone before your travels.

One big disadvantage you must think about is, these apps require an internet or data connection so think about a mobile data package before you check a free and share wifi internet networks at Tan Son Nhat international airport here: https://vietnamtrustcarrentals.com/free-and-share-wifi-networks-at-tan-son-nhat-airport-vietnam.html

Bus

Going from place to place in Tan Son Nhat international airport by bus is pleasant as well, especially since it’s just 20,000 VND. Although the bus is the cheapest travel option, it will take a bit longer and consume more effort (getting there and waiting for the bus) compared to other options. Bus services start at 5:30 in the morning and stop operating at 18h00 PM,

The ticket can be easily purchased on the bus but make sure to pay the right price 20,000 vnd  per ride everywhere in SGN. If you just arrive at the airport with plenty of luggage, this option will be less convenient because the nearest bus stop is around three kilometers away.

Motorbike rental

Saigon airport management is not allow any motorbike driver come into the airport hall arrival then this motorbike hire is not recommend for you to look for.

Private car rental with driver

We recommend for you choose a private taxi or car rental with driver when arrival at the airport of Saigon because of the super fast, convenience and budget on your travel way.

You also hire a car with driver Ho Chi Minh airport travel directly to Cu chi tunnels, Mekong delta or to Cai Be , Ben Tre then come back check in the hotel in the same day.

The Cu chi tunnels tour cost a day from the airport from 59$USD/car/trip, see here :https://vietnamtrustcarrentals.com/rent-a-car-with-driver-cu-chi-tunnels-premium-group-tour.html

Taxi airport transfers to hotel from 10$USD/car/trip see here :https://vietnamtrustcarrentals.com/taxi-transfers-ho-chi-minh-airport-to-hotel-trust-car-rental.html

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