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== HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ==
== HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ==
Origins: The Vietnamese trace the origins of their culture and nation to the fertile plains of the
'''Origins:''' The Vietnamese trace the origins of their culture and nation to the fertile plains of the
Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. After centuries of developing a civilization and economy
Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. After centuries of developing a civilization and economy
based on the cultivation of irrigated rice, in the tenth century the Vietnamese began expanding
based on the cultivation of irrigated rice, in the tenth century the Vietnamese began expanding
develop a sense of nationhood throughout this narrow, 1,500-kilometer stretch of land and to
develop a sense of nationhood throughout this narrow, 1,500-kilometer stretch of land and to
maintain it against internal and external pressures.
maintain it against internal and external pressures.
China was the chief source of Vietnam's foreign ideas and the earliest threat to its national
China was the chief source of Vietnam's foreign ideas and the earliest threat to its national
Vietnamese assimilated Chinese influence in the areas of administration, law, education,
Vietnamese assimilated Chinese influence in the areas of administration, law, education,
literature, language, and culture. Even during the following nine centuries of Vietnamese
literature, language, and culture. Even during the following nine centuries of Vietnamese
independence, lasting from the late tenth century until the second half of the nineteenth century,
independence, lasting from the late tenth century until the second half of the nineteenth century,
the Chinese exerted considerable cultural, if not political, influence, particularly on the elite.
the Chinese exerted considerable cultural, if not political, influence, particularly on the elite.
Colonial Period, Independence, and War: After 900 years of independence and following a
'''Colonial Period,''' Independence, and War: After 900 years of independence and following a
period of disunity and rebellion, the French colonial era began during the 1858–83 period, when
period of disunity and rebellion, the French colonial era began during the 1858–83 period, when
the French seized control of the nation, dividing it into three parts: the north (Tonkin), the center
the French seized control of the nation, dividing it into three parts: the north (Tonkin), the center
Chi Minh's communist government ruling the North from Hanoi and Ngo Dinh Diem's regime,
Chi Minh's communist government ruling the North from Hanoi and Ngo Dinh Diem's regime,
supported by the United States, ruling the South from Saigon (later Ho Chi Minh City).
supported by the United States, ruling the South from Saigon (later Ho Chi Minh City).
As a result of the Second Indochina War (1954–75), Viet Cong—communist forces in South
As a result of the Second Indochina War (1954–75), Viet Cong—communist forces in South
suffered more than 4 million injuries during the U.S. involvement in the war.
suffered more than 4 million injuries during the U.S. involvement in the war.
Unified Vietnam: In the post-1975 period, it was immediately apparent that the popularity and
'''Unified Vietnam:''' In the post-1975 period, it was immediately apparent that the popularity and
effectiveness of Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) policies did not necessarily extend to the
effectiveness of Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) policies did not necessarily extend to the
party’s peacetime nation-building plans. Having unified North and South politically, the VCP
party’s peacetime nation-building plans. Having unified North and South politically, the VCP
million Vietnamese were relocated to previously uncultivated land called “new economic zones”
million Vietnamese were relocated to previously uncultivated land called “new economic zones”
for reeducation.
for reeducation.
The harsh postwar crackdown on remnants of capitalism in the South led to the collapse of the
The harsh postwar crackdown on remnants of capitalism in the South led to the collapse of the
economy during the 1980s. With the economy in shambles, Vietnam’s government altered its
economy during the 1980s. With the economy in shambles, Vietnam’s government altered its
course and adopted consensus policies that bridged the divergent views of pragmatists and
course and adopted consensus policies that bridged the divergent views of pragmatists and
communist traditionalists. In 1986 Nguyen Van Linh, who was elevated to VCP general
communist traditionalists. In 1986 Nguyen Van Linh, who was elevated to VCP general
alongside state-owned land, and in 1990 the government passed a law encouraging the
alongside state-owned land, and in 1990 the government passed a law encouraging the
establishment of private businesses.
establishment of private businesses.
Compounding economic difficulties were new military challenges. In the late 1970s, two
Compounding economic difficulties were new military challenges. In the late 1970s, two
and overran Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, driving out the incumbent Khmer Rouge
and overran Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, driving out the incumbent Khmer Rouge
communist regime and initiating a prolonged military occupation of the country.
communist regime and initiating a prolonged military occupation of the country.
In February and March 1979, China retaliated against Vietnam's incursion into Cambodia by
In February and March 1979, China retaliated against Vietnam's incursion into Cambodia by
Beijing. China also was displeased with Vietnam because of its improving relationship with the
Beijing. China also was displeased with Vietnam because of its improving relationship with the
Soviet Union.
Soviet Union.
During its incursion into Cambodia in 1978–89, Vietnam’s international isolation extended to
During its incursion into Cambodia in 1978–89, Vietnam’s international isolation extended to
two countries settled their long-standing border dispute in 1999. China is now a major trading
two countries settled their long-standing border dispute in 1999. China is now a major trading
partner, and Vietnam models its economic policies after China’s.
partner, and Vietnam models its economic policies after China’s.
As of late 2005, a three-person collective leadership was responsible for governing Vietnam.
As of late 2005, a three-person collective leadership was responsible for governing Vietnam.
prime minister (Phan Van Khai, September 1997– ), and the president (Tran Duc Luong,
prime minister (Phan Van Khai, September 1997– ), and the president (Tran Duc Luong,
September 1997– ). General Secretary Manh headed up not only the VCP but also the 15-
September 1997– ). General Secretary Manh headed up not only the VCP but also the 15-
member Politburo. President Luong was chief of state, and Prime Minister Khai was head of
member Politburo. President Luong was chief of state, and Prime Minister Khai was head of
government. The leadership is promoting a “socialist-oriented market economy” and friendly
government. The leadership is promoting a “socialist-oriented market economy” and friendly
achieve this goal by the end of 2005. Vietnam still needs to conclude bilateral agreements with
achieve this goal by the end of 2005. Vietnam still needs to conclude bilateral agreements with
the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic in order to
the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic in order to
qualify for membership.
qualify for membership.
== GEOGRAPHY ==
== GEOGRAPHY ==