Category: Vietnam

The German occupation of France in 1940 dramatically shifted the political landscape in Vietnam. This event highlighted the vulnerability of France, the colonial ruler, and disrupted the established order in Vietnam, creating a vital opening for Ho Chi Minh. Following France’s surrender, Japan quickly occupied Indochina after Vichy France agreed to a treaty allowing Japanese […]

For a people deeply rooted in tales of resilience against powerful adversaries, France’s swift occupation of Vietnam dealt a significant psychological blow. Initial resistance efforts aimed to restore the monarchy, like the “Save the King” (Can Vuong) movement in the 1890s. However, any monarch displaying patriotism was quickly suppressed by the French authorities. Until the […]

Alexandre de Rhodes and the Foundations of Vietnamese Catholicism Portuguese Dominican missionaries were the earliest Europeans to arrive in Vietnam in the early 1500s, but it wasn’t until 1615, when Jesuit missionaries founded a small mission in Fai Fo (now Hoi An), that Catholicism began to establish roots. The success of this mission in the […]

Under the Nguyen dynasty, Vietnam, for the first time, came under a single rule stretching from its northern border to the southern tip at Ca Mau. Emperor Gia Long, seeking to foster national unity, established Hue as the capital, constructing an impressive citadel modeled after the Forbidden City of the Chinese emperors. This architectural choice […]

In the 18th century, rural uprisings swept across Vietnam, yet most were easily subdued. However, in 1771, three brothers from Tay Son village, near Quy Nhon, led a rebellion that would reshape the nation. With widespread support from displaced peasants, ethnic minorities, small merchants, and urban dwellers, the Tay Son movement promoted ideals of equality, […]

The first Westerners to reach Vietnamese shores were likely traders from ancient Rome, who visited the ports of Champa around the 2nd century AD. Later, in the 13th century, Marco Polo sailed along the coast on his journey to China. However, the arrival of Portuguese merchant Antonio Da Faria at Fai Fo (modern-day Hoi An) […]

This period of Chinese occupation met with stronger resistance from a now more unified Vietnamese population. Vietnamese resistance took root in the mountains of Thanh Hoa, south of Hanoi, led by the local nobleman and mandarin Le Loi, who launched a prolonged struggle for national liberation. For a decade, Le Loi’s disciplined guerrilla forces disrupted […]

After the Ly dynasty’s decline, the Tran dynasty rose to power in 1225 and achieved notable military triumphs, successfully repelling Mongol invasions in 1257, 1284, and 1288. In the first two invasions, Mongol forces temporarily occupied the capital but were forced to retreat shortly after. The most renowned defense took place in 1288 on the […]

Following independence from Chinese rule in 939 CE, Vietnam faced a turbulent period marked by internal conflicts. When Ngo Quyen, who had liberated the region, passed away after a brief five-year reign, Nam Viet fell into disorder as twelve warlords contested for control. In 968 CE, Dinh Bo Linh emerged as the unifying force, consolidating […]

Funan and Champa: The Historical Legacy of Vietnam’s Southern Civilizations While northern Vietnam has long been influenced by China, the southern region experienced the significant impact of Indian civilization, particularly during the early centuries AD. Indian traders, navigating east towards China, established Hindu settlements along the southern Indochinese coast, with the most notable city-state being […]