Vietnam

Lessons and Legacies of War

Joshua Labove
University of Chicago
 What, where, who is
Vietnam?
• Population: 85 million, the 13th
largest country in the world
• Capital: Hanoi
• Largest city: Ho Chi Minh City
• Government system: Socialist
Republic
• Resources: Mostly rice (in both
Northern and Southern Deltas)
• Motto: Independence, liberty,
happiness
Flag of Vietnam
Hanoi

Hue

Ho Chi Minh City

History of Vietnam
 History of Vietnam
• From 207 B.C. to the 10th Century, under
the rule of the Chinese dynasties
• From the 10th Century to the 19th
Century, Vietnam experienced a period of
independence.
• In the mid-19th Century, France
colonised in Vietnam
• This continued until World War II--when
Japan occupied Vietnam as a base for
attacks against India.
• After World War II, Vietnam was split in to
two separate countries, North Vietnam
and South Vietnam, separated by a
demilitarised zone, or an area where
 North Versus South
Vietnam
• The North was • The South was
supported by supported by the
Communist China
United States.
and Soviet Union.
• Ho Chi Minh had • The United States
hoped his ideals of saw the
liberty and freedom emergence of
would bring US Communism
support, but his under Ho Chi
Communist politics
Minh in the North
pushed US support
to the South. as a threat.
 Ho Chi Minh
• Uncle Ho as he is
called by
Vietnamese, is both
a national hero and
much loved and
admired citizen and
scholar.
• His grave in Hanoi is
an important
monument for the
Vietnamese, and
millions travel across
the country to pay
their respects to
People on mopeds and bikes in Hanoi
pass by a sign (with Ho Chi Minh’s
picture) celebrating 60 years of the
modern independent Vietnam.
 Ho Chi Minh
• Born 1890
• In 1911, jumped on board a ship to
France.
– While Uncle Ho spent some time studying in
Westminster, England, he eventually made
his way back to France.
– During this time, he embraced Communism
and joined the political groups rallying for
human rights and equality in French
Indochina--which was the area in South Asia
that France occupied, including Vietnam.
 The Death of Ho Chi Minh
• While Uncle Ho
wished to be
creamated--with his
ashes scattered over
the North, Central,
and Southern
mountain valleys,
the Vietnamese
erected a granite
castle, or
mausoleum to house
his body.
Vietnamese Culture
and Daily Life
 Vietnamese Money
• Vietnam’s money is called the
dong.
• $1 is worth about 15,000 dong.
• Even though Vietnam has its own
currency, the US Dollar is still the
most common form of money in
the country--mostly because the
dong cannot be exchanged,
transferred, or used outside of
Vietnam: it is embargoed currency.
 Coat of arms, or
official seal of
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh

00,000 Vietnamese Dong bill--the largest note in Vietnam.

worth about $30.
 Vietnamese Food
• Vietnam’s food is a mixture of its
occupiers and neighbours--France,
China, Thailand.
• A traditional Vietnamese breakfast
is a steaming hot bowl of pho, a
thin noodle soup with chicken and
mix of vegetables and spices.
• Food in the North tends to sweeter,
while food in the South tends to be
spicier.
 Vietnamese City Life
• City dwellers in Vietnam commute on
mopeds or bikes more commonly than
by car.
• Streets are usually one way, but have
no traffic lights--which can make
crossing the street a nervous
experience!
• In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,
announcements over speakerphones
wake up the citizens and call them to
work and to have a successful day.
• Despite its rapid growth,Vietnam does
 Religion in Vietnam
• Even though the government
reports that most of the country,
80% or more, is not religious, this
is not entirely the case.
• Today, Buddhism enjoys a large
following in Vietnam, as well as
several other tribal belief systems
that have many similarities with
other religions.
Arts and Crafts in Vietnam
• Crafts, especially pottery, lacquer
ware, and fabrics are very popular
throughout the country.
• It is common to see street side
vendors selling tea sets, plates,
puppets, blankets, and chopsticks.