The National Order of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Bảo-Quốc Huân-Chương) was a combined military-civilian decoration of South Vietnam and was considered the highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Vietnam government.
The decoration was created in 1950 and was awarded to any person who performed "grandiose works, remarkable deeds, exhibited bravery, or for those who have honored and served the country by lofty virtues and outstanding knowledge.
During the Vietnam War, the National Order of Vietnam was bestowed on several members of the United States military, most of whom were senior military and political advisors to the South Vietnamese government. The decoration could also be awarded posthumously.
The National Order was modeled after the French Légion d'honneur, and as
such it was issued in five degrees
- Grand Cross - wore the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star of the Order on the left chest;
- Grand Officer - wore the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest, plus the star on the right chest;
- Commander - wore the badge on a necklace;
- Officer - wore the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
- Knight - wore the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.
