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Milestones in Vietnam history

Vietnam has passed the long history lasting for more than 2000 years in order to become an independent country today. Following are some main milestones in the glorious history of Vietnam nation.

In the 7^th century B.C, 15 tribes living in the present-day North region gathered to set up the Van Lang State which is the first State in Vietnam. The State was ruled in succession under the reigns of 18 Hung Vuong Kings before being invaded by the Qin Dynasty. However, Thuc Phan, the leader of the alliance of tribes, pushed back the aggressor, founding Au Lac nation and addressed himself as King An Duong Vuong. In the 2^nd century B.C, Au Lac was dominated by different Chinese Dynasties establishing their harsh regimes in the country in the hope of carrying out their policy of assimilation. However, Vietnamese people with strong vitality and unity spirit succeeded in preserving the nation's precious traditions and cultures even though being dominated for more than a thousand year.

Temple to King An Duong Vuong

In the 10^th century A.D, the nation entered the new era of independence and development under the name of Dai Viet. It had experienced many feudal states, the most important of which are the Ly (1009-1226), the Tran (1226-1400) and the Le (1428-1527) Dynasties. This period marked the golden age of Vietnam history as economy, culture, education, religion, etc had attained great achievements. However, it was also the period when the nation had endured the wars against such foreign aggressors as Tong (11^th century), Nguyen (13^th century), Minh (15^th century). It is the heroic fighting spirit and unceasing efforts of Vietnamese people that defeated invaders.

In the 17^th and 18^th century, the feudalism seriously weakened. Many peasant movements, internal wars and divisions had happened, which adversely affected the country's development. In 1802, Nguyen Anh seized the power, starting the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal regime in Vietnam.

                          King Nguyen Anh                                                                           King Ham Nghi

In mid 19^th century, French colonists began to invade Vietnam. The Nguyen Dynasty gradually made concessions to the aggressors and let them make large-scale exploitation in the country. Heaps of revolutionary movements breaking out finally suffered defeat. 

Nguyen Ai Quoc who is later known as President Ho Chi Minh decided to go abroad with a view to finding the way for the national liberation. His foundation of the Communist Party of Vietnam on 3^rd February 1930 helped Vietnamese people to rise up against the oppression, which lead to the triumph of the August Revolution in 1945 sweeping away Vietnamese feudal and French colonial domination. On 2^nd September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

                       Dien Bien Phu victory                                                              President Ho Chi Minh

The newly-born Vietnam facing aggressive scheme of French and American had to carry out the national liberation struggle in the following 30 years. The return of French colonists caused the nine-year resistance war of Vietnam (1945-1954), which came to an end by the glorious victory of Dien Bien Phu (May 1954) and the Geneva Accord (July 1954). According to the Accord, the country was temporarily divided into the North and the South and would be unified 2 years later through the general election. Nevertheless, the general election was never held due to the interference of the US. While the North given the name of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was under the leadership of a Labor Party, the South named the Republic of Vietnam was ruled by the Sai Gon Government led by Ngo Dinh Diem. To maintain Sai Gon regime, the US provided more military aid. Especially, in mid 1960s, it sent half a million American soldiers and allies to the South Vietnam for direct participation in war. In 5^th August 1964, the US began bombing North Vietnam. However, Vietnamese people remained resilient and win victories in both regions. In 1973, Washington had to sign the Paris Peace Accord to establish peace in Vietnam and to end direct U.S. military involvement. In Spring 1975, Vietnamese armed forces launched general offensive on Sai Gon Government to liberate the South Vietnam, unifying the whole nation. With untold hardships, the war came to successful end, opening the new era of peace, complete unification and construction for Vietnam.

     President of Republic of South VN, Ngo Dinh Diem            Liberation force entered the Independence Palace