Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City (; or ), also known by its former name of Saigon (; or ), is the largest city in Vietnam by population. It was known as Prey Nokor () prior to annexation by the Vietnamese in the 17th century. Under the name Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam 1955–75. On 2 July 1976, Saigon merged with the surrounding Gia Định Province and was officially renamed Ho Chi Minh City after revolutionary leader Hồ Chí Minh (although the name
Order of Ho Chi Minh one. Currently, the Ho Chi Minh Order is the second highest national order of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (after the Gold Star). The Order is bestowed on citizens who have rendered outstanding services to the State, or members of the Vietnamese People's Armed Forces for acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. The decoration may also be awarded to cities, regions, collectives, military units and ships for the same reasons. Order of Ho Chi Minh The Order of Ho Chi Minh () is a decoration of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that was first instituted on 6