History And Government
History and Government of Vietnam
Due to a lack of written records, the history of Vietnam has largely been based on legends (accounts of the ethnogenesis of the Viet people), Chinese sources, archaeological research since the 1920s, and later findings.
Overall, Vietnam's history is tumultuous, marked by foreign occupations (notably by China, its neighbor), successive wars of resistance to defend the country, and wars to conquer new lands to the south. Broadly, it can be divided into two stages:
Ancient History
Vietnam has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological discoveries suggest that structured societies existed as early as the first millennium BCE. The cradle of Vietnam is believed to be in the Red River Delta. The primitive society was mainly feudal and based on agriculture, with various dynasties ruling different regions of Vietnam until the Chinese invasion in 111 BCE, which saw Vietnamese and Chinese societies intertwine. Various Chinese dynasties dominated the region for hundreds of years, though revolts eventually led to Vietnam gaining autonomy in 905. In 938, this period of Chinese imperial domination ended, and Vietnam entered an era of independence.
Modern History
In the 19th century, Vietnam fell under the influence of French colonizers, who took control after the Sino-French War of 1884 and 1885. French Indochina was formed in 1887, encompassing parts of Vietnam, Cambodia, and later Laos. Although the French managed to suppress internal independence movements for many years, their control finally ended in 1954 when Vietnamese forces defeated the French in the First Indochina War following the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. After this war, Vietnam was divided, with distinct forces governing the north (led by Ho Chi Minh) and the south (led by Ngo Dinh Diem, with U.S. support). The reunification of the country was achieved on April 30, 1975, after several years of war against the Americans. The communist regime's takeover of the south led to mass departures abroad, often by sea, known as the "boat people" phenomenon.
More recently, Vietnam has benefited from the market economy introduced in 1986. The Vietnamese economy continues to develop, with agriculture and industry forming its backbone and the tourism sector also contributing. Although many Vietnamese live below the poverty line, significant progress has been made in literacy and health, and further improvements are hoped for in the future.
Timeline of Vietnam's History
1000 BCE
- Before 258 BCE: Bronze Age, Dong Son culture
- Hong Bang Period with the Van Lang Kingdom under the Hung Kings' rule, a semi-legendary period with its capital at Phong Chau (now Viet Tri, Phu Tho, where the Hung Kings' temple remains).
- 258-179 BCE: End of the Hong Bang Dynasty, beginning of the Au Lac Kingdom under Thuc Phan, known as An Duong Vuong. The kingdom's capital was Co Loa, whose remains exist north of Hanoi.
206-111 BCE
- Nam Viet Kingdom (Southern Viet Dynasty)
- 111 BCE: Nam Viet dominated by Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty.
Over 1000 Years of Chinese Domination (111 BCE - 938 AD)
- Vietnam was dominated by China for more than a millennium, starting with the loss of Nam Viet in 111 BCE under the Han Dynasty. This domination ended in 938 after a revolt led by Ngo Quyen. Throughout these years, several Vietnamese insurrections against China occurred, some of which were victorious but short-lived:
- 40-43 AD: Linh Nam Kingdom under the Trung Sisters following their rebellion against Han Chinese rule. Capital at Me Linh.
- 544-602: Van Xuan Kingdom under the Ly Dynasty following a successful revolt led by Emperor Ly Nam De.
900 Years of National Independence (938-1862)
- This period saw various national dynasties: Ngo, Dinh, Ly, Tran, Nguyen. The country gained independence, yet Dai Co Viet, later Dai Viet, maintained relations with the Chinese empire, paying tribute. It was also a period of southern expansion.
- 938-965: Ngo Dynasty under Ngo Quyen and his sons following the victory over the Chinese Nam Han. Capital at Co Loa.
- 968-979: Dinh Dynasty, the country named Dai Co Viet. Capital at Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
- 980-1009: Early Le Dynasty, the country named Dai Co Viet. Capital at Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh.
- 1009-1225: Later Ly Dynasty, the country named Dai Viet. Capital at Thang Long (Hanoi). Multiple struggles against the Chinese Song Dynasty to defend the country. Conquest of Champa lands.
- 1226-1400: Tran Dynasty, country named Dai Viet. Multiple struggles against Mongol invaders.
- 1400-1407: Ho Dynasty, country named Dai Viet.
- 1407-1428: Chinese occupation under the Ming Dynasty.
- 1428: Le Loi expelled the Chinese, restored independence for Dai Viet, and founded the Later Le Dynasty.
- 1428-1788: Later Le Dynasty, country named Dai Viet. Conquest of southern Champa lands in 1471.
- 1802: Nguyen Dynasty took control, renaming the country Vietnam. Capital at Hue. This was the last feudal family to rule Vietnam. Under the Nguyen Lords and Kings, Vietnam expanded southward into Khmer territories.
80 Years of French Colonization (1862-1945)
- 1858: First French conquests. France took control of Vietnam, making it a French colony.
- 1893: Vietnam became part of French Indochina.
- 1940-1945: Japanese occupation during World War II.
30 Years of Independence War (1945-1975) and Reunification to Present
- 1945-1954: End of World War II, France occupied southern Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh took control of northern Vietnam and declared independence.
- 1954: End of the First Indochina War led by France following the defeat at Dien Bien Phu. Vietnam was divided into two at the Geneva Conference: the North led by Ho Chi Minh and the Communist Party, and the South led by Ngo Dinh Diem with U.S. support.
- 1975: Reunification, Socialist Republic of Vietnam led by the Communist Party.
- 1977: Vietnam joined the United Nations.
- 1978: Vietnam helped Cambodia eliminate the Khmer Rouge.
- 1979: Chinese army invaded northern Vietnam.
- 1986: Market economy introduced following the Doi Moi policy.
- 1992: Diplomatic relations restored with the United States and normalized with the People's Republic of China.
- 1994: U.S. embargo lifted.
Political Regime of Vietnam
Vietnam is a socialist republic with its political regime determined by the 1992 Constitution, adopted in 2013. The only authorized party is the Communist Party, which plays a leading role in directing the state and society. The highest state official is the General Secretary of the Communist Party.
National Assembly
The National Assembly consists of up to 500 seats elected for five years by universal suffrage. It elects the President of the State, the Prime Minister, and the government, all with five-year terms. The National Assembly is the highest representative body exercising legislative power.
Central Committee of the Party
The Central Committee includes all leaders of the Party, the state, and the military. It has the power to elect members of the Politburo, conduct mid-term confidence votes for Politburo members, and nominate candidates for the positions of President of the National Assembly, President, and Prime Minister. The Central Committee also has the right to review the Constitution before its approval by the National Assembly. It is elected for five years during the Party Congress and can decide on pilot orientations for new policies based on the actual situation.
Judicial System
The Vietnamese judicial system comprises courts called people's courts, organized into three levels: the Supreme People's Court, provincial people's courts, and district people's courts. There are three higher courts (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang, equivalent to courts of appeal in France). Vietnam does not have a Constitutional Court. Judges are not appointed for life; their term is five years, renewable multiple times. Prosecutors do not have the status of judges. Before the reforms of the 1990s, lawyers were considered civil servants. Now, it is a liberal profession, recognized mainly in private law.
Private Law
Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization in 2006 and signed free trade agreements with many countries. Jurisprudence is recognized as a new source of law. International arbitration is increasingly developing, with the active role of the Vietnam International Arbitration Center.