On July 2, 1976, the National Assembly made the historic decision to rename Saigon as Ho Chi Minh City. However, even before this official change, poet To Huu's verses in August 1954 already depicted the luminous allure of the city with the lines: "Who journeys to the South, Tien Giang, Hau Giang/ Who ventures to Ho Chi Minh City, a name resplendent and gilded." Delving into archived newspapers, it was revealed that the advocate behind the name Ho Chi Minh City was Dr. Tran Huu Nghiep.

Expressing a Desire to Contribute to the South
On August 27, 1946, Dr. Tran Huu Nghiep proposed and garnered support for the renaming idea from numerous patriotic Southerners, culminating in a petition submitted to the Government. During that significant year, the Cuu Quoc Newspaper also featured an article titled "Saigon City to Be Renamed Ho Chi Minh City."

Doctor Tran Huu Nghiep (1911-2006) worked alongside Dr. Nguyen Van Huong to establish the Southern medical infrastructure starting from mid-1947. In 1956, he assumed the role of the inaugural principal at the Central Medical Staff School. Recognizing his invaluable contributions, he was honored with the titles of People's Teacher and Labor Hero by the State.