Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, located near the delta of the Mekong River. Under the name Prey Nokor (Khmer: ), it was the main port of Cambodia, before being conquered by the Vietnamese in the 16th century. Known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnam war, it was the capital of the French colony of Cochinchina, and later of the former state of South Vietnam from 1954 to 1975. In 1975, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City (Although Saigon is still frequently used). The city center is situated on the banks of the Saigon River, 60 km from the South China Sea.