Vietnam

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Vietnam

• Lessons and Legacies of War
• Joshua Labove
• University of Chicago

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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

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Flag of Vietnam
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Hanoi
Hue
Ho Chi Minh City
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History of Vietnam
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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 weapons and armed forces were not
  permitted.

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North Versus South Vietnam

• The North was supported by Communist China and
  Soviet Union.
• Ho Chi Minh had hoped his ideals of liberty and
  freedom would bring US support, but his Communist
  politics pushed US support to the South.

• The South was supported by the United States.
• The United States saw the emergence of Communism
  under Ho Chi Minh in the North as a threat.

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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 their leader.

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People on mopeds and bikes in Hanoi pass by a
sign (with Ho Chi Minhs picture) celebrating 60
years of the modern independent Vietnam.
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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.

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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.

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Vietnamese Culture and Daily Life
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Vietnamese Money

• Vietnams 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.

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Coat of arms, or official seal of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh
A 500,000 Vietnamese Dong bill--the largest note
in Vietnam. Its worth about 30.
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Vietnamese Food

• Vietnams 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.

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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 not have a
  McDonalds. Ho Chi Minh City opened a KFC a few
  years ago, however.

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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.

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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.

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