Nguyen Thi Le, Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, explained that the naming of a ward as "Saigon" serves to preserve and honor a historic name that is symbolic of the city and reflects the era when Vietnamese pioneers expanded into the southern frontier.

On the morning of April 18, the People's Council of Ho Chi Minh City held a special session to review and approve several significant policy items across multiple sectors.

In her closing remarks, Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Le welcomed the proposal to name a central ward “Saigon,” especially in an area home to many of the city’s iconic landmarks.

According to Le, the decision helps safeguard and celebrate a historic name that has long been emblematic of the city. The name Saigon dates back to the 17th century and is closely tied to the formation and development of southern Vietnam, reflecting the spirit of Vietnamese territorial expansion.

“For many Vietnamese people, no matter where they are, Saigon is more than just a name,” she said. “Having a ward named Saigon not only serves as a reminder and tribute to our historical legacy but also acts as a cultural highlight that attracts both domestic and international visitors. Particularly, as Saigon is widely recognized on the global tourism map, this move plays a vital role in building Ho Chi Minh City’s brand.”

Le added that the vast majority of voters and residents support the naming, particularly those who have lived closely with this beloved land.

Earlier, the People's Council had approved a plan to restructure administrative units at the commune level. Under this plan, the number of wards, communes, and townships in Ho Chi Minh City will be reduced from 273 to 102.

In many cases, the names of former districts have been given to new wards, in order to preserve tradition despite the elimination of the district-level administrative structure.

Along with Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City will also have Cho Lon Ward in District 5 and Gia Dinh Ward in Binh Thanh District - names that represent key chapters in the historical landscape of the Saigon-Gia Dinh-Cho Lon area.

Ho Van