Names of Ho Chi Minh City Names of Ho Chi Minh City The city now known as Ho Chi Minh City ( ), or Saigon (its antecedent), has gone by several different names during its history, reflecting settlement by different ethnic, cultural and political groups. Originally known as "Prey Nôkôr" while a part of the Khmer Empire, it came to be dubbed "Sài Gòn" () informally by Vietnamese settlers fleeing the Trịnh–Nguyễn War to the north. In time, control of the city and the area passed to the Vietnamese, who gave the city the name of "Gia Định". This name remained until the time of French
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