Names of Ho Chi Minh City Mekong Delta for centuries. The city was known as "Prey Nôkôr" () to the Khmer Empire, which likely maintained a settlement centuries before its rise in the 11th and 12th centuries. The most popular interpretation of the name, and one supported by former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, suggests that the name means "forest city" or "forest kingdom"—"prey" meaning forest or jungle, and "nôkôr" being a Khmer word of Sanskrit origin meaning city or kingdom. The name "Krŭng Prey Nôkôr" (; "Prey Nôkôr City") is currently used to refer to Ho Chi Minh City in the Khmer language. Beginning in the
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