In the early 1920s, the launch of the perfume "Saigon" by Babani would have carried significant cultural and historical connotations, particularly in the context of Asia during that time period.
During the 1920s, China, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan were undergoing various social, political, and cultural changes. China was in the midst of the Republican Era after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Vietnam was under French colonial rule, Korea was also under colonial occupation by Japan, and Japan itself was experiencing rapid modernization and industrialization.
The name "Saigon" originates from the Vietnamese language. It was the name of a major city in French Indochina (present-day Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam). "Saigon" itself comes from the Vietnamese words "Sài Gòn," which possibly derive from the Khmer words "Prey Nokor," meaning "forest city."
Babani likely chose the name "Saigon" to evoke a sense of exoticism and intrigue associated with French Indochina, which was seen as mysterious and alluring to Western audiences at the time. The name would have suggested a fragrance that embodied the essence of the Far East, blending French colonial fascination with the oriental mystique.
"Saigon" as a name for a perfume would have resonated with the European audience of the time who were fascinated by the Far East. It conjures images of tropical flowers, bustling markets, and the mingling of French elegance with Asian exoticism. The name suggests a fragrance that promises adventure, sophistication, and perhaps a hint of the unknown, appealing to those seeking to experience distant lands through scent.
