VIETNAM'S HISTORY AND PEOPLES

HISTORY

The time that first inhabitants resided in Vietnam territory was 300.000- 500.000 BC in the Old Stone age.

The appearance of Hoa Binh- Bac Son culture was the evidence for the existence of agriculture activities 10.000 years ago.

In the Bronze age, the Dong Son civilization had become the most unique and the most symbolic image for the Vietnamese culture.

1000 years ago, the feudal age began with the foundation of the first dynasty of Hung King: Van Lang kingdom, then became Au Lac.

The invasion of the Northern enemies (China nowadays) in ten centuries dramatically affected the Vietnamese culture. But the Au Lac people never stopped fighting to gain the freedom from their invaders.

In the X centuries AD, the Au Lac civil reclaimed the freedom from Northern invaders and founded a new nation named Dai Viet. The Ly dynasty, Tran dynasty, Ho dynasty are the typical dynasties that contributed considerably to the culture of Dai Viet.

During these dynasties, the will to defend the nation’s freedom, the pride of being a Dai Viet countryman, the unity in every social class and the well-trained, brilliant armies had defeated the Northern invaders (China dynasty) and maintained to peaceful period in Dai Viet territory for a long time.

In the XVII and XVII centuries, the feudal dynasty in Vietnam seriously weakened and led to the Tay Son rebel. The Tay Son rebel completely ruled out the remnant of old dynasties and founded the Tay Son dynasty. But the death of Quang Trung emperor (Nguyen Hue) made this dynasty collapsed and Nguyen Anh (Gia Long king) seized the chance to unite with outsiders and founded the Nguyen dynasty- the last feudal dynasty of Dai Viet. The name Vietnam appeared during the Nguyen dynasty.

the middle of XIX century (1858), the French invaded Vietnam and the Nguyen dynasty’s impotence quickly helped the French turned Vietnam into their colony.

Although there were various revolts (violent and non-violent) but the lack of proper strategies and long-term plans didn't help those revolts to succeed.

Not until the leading of Vietnam communist party and its leader- Nguyen Ai Quoc (known as Ho Chi Minh that the Vietnam regained its freedom and founded a new country with new institution- Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 2nd September 1945. When the WWII ended the French returned to Vietnam to “reclaim their colony” with the help of US.

In 1954, with the support of China and Soviet, Vietnam successfully defeated the French in the Dien Bien Phu campaign which leaded to Genève treaty.

The treaty divided Vietnam into two governments: from the 17th latitude to the North is the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with the support of China, Soviet and allies, from the 17th latitude to the South is Republic of Vietnam with the support of France, US and allies.

In 1986, the Mau Than campaign and Ho Chi Minh were launched by the Vietnam communist party and were successful in 1975. In 30th April 1975, the Republic of Vietnam collapsed and its allies (US, Korea, France, etc.) totally withdrew from the Vietnam war. Vietnam became independent and renamed Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976 with a united nation from to North to the South.

Since 1990, although there are a lot of difficulties, the Vietnamese live with the freedom and the leading of Vietnam communist party.

PEOPLES

Vietnam is a nation with the multi cultures and languages due to the diversity of race- more than 54 peoples. While there are more than 54 peoples, the Kinh people are the majority which takes up to 86% of the peoples in entire country. Here are the table lists the peoples in Vietnam:

Here are pictures of the peoples and their activities in Vietnam:

Images source: INTERNET