[1] During the Nguyễn Dynasty of emperor Minh Mạng, it was given the Sino-Vietnamese name Nguyệt Giang (月江), a calque of "Sông Trăng" (Moon River).

[2] The name Sóc Trăng comes from the Khmer name of the area Srok Khleang (ស្រុកឃ្លាំង), which means Land of depositories or Place to store silver.

The Vietnamese transliteration gave Sốc Kha Lang and later Sóc Trăng.

Besides the majority Kinh people, there are also ethnic Chinese and a significant Khmer Krom minority in the city.

The nearest airport is located in Cần Thơ, which is approximately 60 km from the city's center.