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BRIEF
HISTORY
The pre-historic era could be dated back
to over 23,000 years ago in the Paleolithic Age, as the relics of Homo
Erectus were found in the caves of Lang Son and Nghe An province.
Gradual evolution emerged to the Bronze Age when inhabitants produced
bronze tools, and arms with the raising of domestic farms of buffaloes,
oxen and pigs. Three cultural groups developed during this age:
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Pre-Dong Son Culture - lived in the
North around the Ma River, the Ca River and also the Red River Delta.
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Pre-Sa Huynh - live in Southern area of
Central Vietnam. Those inhabited in the Dong Nai River.
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During the Iron Age, only the Pre-Dong
son culture developed into the Dong Son culture.
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BIRTH OF VIETNAM
The first nation of Vietnam being recorded
is the Van Lang Nation, founded by the ancient Viet race in the North.
The most famous king is Hung King. In 3 B.C, another nation was found
by Au Duong Vuong and named Au Lac Nation. The historical remain of Co
Loa Citadel is the evidence. In Central Vietnam, another kingdom of
Champa emerged from Sa Hyun culture around 2 B.C.
CHINESE DOMINATION
(111 BC - 936 AD)
The Au Lac Nation was first lost to Nan
Yue in 179 BC, who in turn was conquered by the mighty Chinese Han
Empire. In 111 BC, the Han Empire dominates the Au Lac Nation. This
domination lasted over a thousand years with successive Chinese
dynasties such as Sui and Tang. The Chinese domination had left great
influence on Vietnam philosophy, culture, religions and almost every
aspect of Vietnamese life. Many rebellions did occur, but all were
cracked down. Not until 936 AD, the Chinese troop was defeated at Bach
Dang River and ends the Chinese rule.
INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA
After the liberation from Chinese
domination, successive dynasties followed by Ngo, Dinh and Pre-Le
Dynasty with the period from 939-1009 AD. Over this time, Chinese Empire
made many invasions, but repulsed.
LY DYNASTY & TRAN DYNASTY ( 1009-1400 AD)
During this period, Vietnam rose into a
powerful nation with much development in various fields such as
agricultures, trading, religions, and cultures with prevailing of
Buddhism and Confucianism. They were able to resist the assaults from
Chinese Sung Dynasty as well as Mongolians.
HO DYNASTY & 1408-1428 AD CHINESE
DOMINATION ( 1400-1407 AD)
The decline began since late Tran Dynasty
which was overthrown by Ho Dynasty who took power during 1400-1407, but
Ho did not last long. Vietnam once again was conquered by Chinese
invasion under Ming Empire who ruled Vietnam from 1408-1428. The Chinese
Ming Army met strong resistance from the Viet patriots and lose its
conquests to Le Loi at the battle of Lam Son. This led to new era of
Vietnam History.
LE DYNASTY ( 1428 - 1788 AD )
The Chinese rule over Vietnam completely
ended with the establishment of Le Dynasty in 1428 AD which lasted until
18th century. Trades, industry, agriculture, cultures, and literatures
flourished, however, in 16th century, the nation was divided into two
feudal states under Le Dynasty - Trinh State in the North and Nguyen
State in the South.
TAY SON DYNASTY (1788 - 1802 )
During the late 18th century, the 3
brothers of Nguyen led the famous Tay Son Revolution, and overthrew the
two feudal states of Trinh and Nguyen, and then the Le Dynasty. The new
dynasty of Tay Son lasted for 14 years and was subdued to Nguyen Anh Gia
Long who was supported by the French army.
NGYUEN DYNASTY ( 1802-1954
)
Nguyen Anh Gia Long succeeded the throne,
and became the first monarch of Nguyen Dynasty. The country revived into
a healthy state with expansion of economy. Trades, irrigation,
agriculture, literatures and cultures again flourished. Vietnam began to
open up new trades with western countries like France, England, and also
Indonesia and India. Later on, gradual conflicts with its foreign
counterparts piled up. In 1857, its rulers made a false move to
closed-door polity and drove away oversea diplomats, which was a great
turning point of Vietnam History and had its impact till present-day
Vietnam. This led to French conquest and the establishment of the
so-called Indochina.
FRENCH DOMINATION (1887 - 1954)
After the break up of diplomatic tie, the
French military troops started to invade Vietnam. Although being more
organized and having superior weapons, the French army took 30 years to
overcome repetitive Viet patriotic resistance and had its final
conquest. In 1887, French Royal Decree ordered the establishment of
Indochina - an aggregated French colony consisted of Vietnam, Laos and
Cambodia. The Nguyen Dynasty did survive but became powerless under
French domination.
Not until early 20th century, the French
seriously activated the social and economic welfare of Vietnam. Mining
industry and big plantations of coffee, tea and rubber were popped up
and exploited on a large scale, bringing huge benefits to the French.
This had also bear a strong negative effect over the Vietnam society
with clear separation of Vietnamese elites and the low working class.
The hidden resentment of the Vietnamese
people was ignited, when the French colonialists ordered a land
structural reform in 1904 with high taxation over the farmers. This led
to many resistant movements against the French rules and resulted in the
death or imprisonment of its leaders. Having strong support from the
farmer class, Nguyen Ai Quoc succeeded to establish the Vietnam
Communist Party in 1930. The world knows him in the name of Ho Chi Minh.
BIRTH OF TODAY VIETNAM & SEED OF
VIETNAM WAR
At the end of World War II, Ho Chi Minh
declared Vietnam Independence on 2 September 1945. The last French troop
was crushed in the battle of Dien Bien Phu, resulted in the half
liberalization of the Vietnam. The Geneva Accord had divided the country
into the North, ruled under communist system and the South under
democratic one. President Ho was half satisfied, and determined to
re-unite the country by invading the South. Being the world democratic
leader, Americans entered the scenario and attempted to stop the
communist's expansion in Southeast Asia against the Domino Theory. This
had led to the Vietnam War (the Vietnamese called it - the American
War!). Unable to fight against the powerful military strength of the
Americans, North Vietnam military, called Vietcong, used guerrillas
tactics. This war had turned out to be too costly for the Americans in
term of life, social welfare and economy. Receiving heavy pressure at
home, the Americans decided to withdraw its troops, resulted in the fall
of South Vietnam. Finally, Vietnam became re-unified once again on 30
April 1975 and the Communist regime rules until the present day.
