Vietnam

Vietnam’s modern fame derives largely from the Vietnam War. Today, several decades after the US withdrew its troops and support for South Vietnam, a united communist Vietnam enjoys a resurgence that drives an expanding economy and burgeoning tourism.

According to legend, Vietnam was created out of the harmonious joining together of the King of the Sea (Long Quan) and the Princess of the Mountains (Au Co). Though this picturesque tale aptly describes Vietnam’s prime attributes – mountains that soar toward the heavens and beaches fit for the Gods – the reality of Vietnam’s history is nowhere near as prosaic.

From the 3rd millennium BC, when a legendary kingdom called Van Lang is said to have covered parts of modern-day southern China and northern areas of Vietnam, until modern times, Vietnam’s history has been intertwined with that of China. At many points over recent centuries, the two nations have been at war.

Since the days of Van Lang and until fairly recently, Vietnam has at least partially been ruled by Chinese. Vietnam has, however, repelled several invasions by Chinese forces, as well as attacks by the Mongols in the 13th century.

A diplomatic submission by the emperor Tran Nhan Trong allowed Vietnam a peaceful existence under Yuan rule. This relative independence ended in the 19th century, when French forces colonized much of the region and created French Indochina, which encompassed Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

During WWII, the French were expelled by Japanese forces. France then tried to re-establish colonial rule but was eventually kicked out of the region, following the end of the First Indochina War. This led into the Vietnam War, during which the US supported South Vietnam against the communist North and sent increasing numbers of American troops. The last US troops fled in 1975, three hours before Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces.

From reunification until the mid-1980s, life was extremely difficult for most people in Vietnam. Thousands tried to escape the political and economic pressures of southern Vietnam under communist rule. A shift in economic strategy in 1986 marked the beginning of an economic recovery that continues to this day.

Though life in Vietnam remains challenging for many, there are more opportunities than ever as Vietnam enjoys economic growth spurred by China. Corruption and crime are problems but life is improving for the Vietnamese, and the country is more accessible to foreigners than ever before.