History

938 A.D. – End of Chinese Rule:

In 938 A.D., Vietnam decisively shook off a millennium of Chinese occupation in the Red River Delta, marking the conclusion of a rule that had endured since the first century B.C. The fact that the Vietnamese clung to their cultural identity throughout this thousand-year occupation stands as a testament to their indomitable spirit, a lesson echoed in more contemporary chapters of history.

Southward Expansion and Saigon’s Birth:

Originating in the northern Red River Delta, the Vietnamese embarked on a southward journey, eventually incorporating the Kingdom of Champa in what is now central Vietnam during the 15th century. Saigon, now renamed Ho Chi Minh City, had its official founding a mere three centuries ago.

Colonial Era and Resistance:

In 1883, the French assumed colonial control over Vietnam, igniting an era of anti-colonial resistance that stretched over eight decades. Amid World War II, the Vietnamese fought against the Japanese occupation of their land. Led by President Ho Chi Minh, the Viet Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence at the war’s end. However, the French resisted this independence, leading to open conflict culminating in the remarkable Viet Minh triumph at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in May 1954.

Post-War Division and Conflict:

The Geneva Accords of mid-1954 introduced a temporary division of Vietnam. Yet, when the southern regime rebuffed holding elections in 1956, the nation plunged into a civil war. The United States, supporting the southern regime led by Ngo Dinh Diem, dispatched its first combat troops to Vietnam in 1965. In 1973, American forces withdrew, and in a pivotal moment, their erstwhile allies surrendered on April 30th, 1975, leading to the reunification of the nation under Communist governance.

A New Dawn in International Relations:

Subsequently, Vietnam experienced a phase of economic and political seclusion from much of the capitalist world. In the late 1980s, the Vietnamese Government initiated a relaxation of restrictions on foreign travel and investment. Diplomatic ties with the United States were reestablished in 1995. In 2007, Vietnam earned membership in the World Trade Organization, heralding a new era of open trade with numerous countries. A milestone came in 2010 when Hanoi commemorated its 1000th anniversary, a momentous occasion for the city and a source of pride for all Vietnamese to celebrate.