Each year Chatham University chooses a country or region of the world to explore during the academic year for Global Focus Year of…. This year the area of choice is Southeast Asia: Vietnam. Vietnam is a rich and complex country with a long history of trade, colonialism, conflict, war, and resistance.
As Americans we often first relate to Vietnam through the lens of the Vietnam War. The images and reporting on the war in Vietnam are some of the most powerful in history. The counter movements in the United States protesting the war are also an integral part of the history. The atrocities of the war and the uprising of Vietnamese peasants inspired many Americans to stage protests, refuse the draft, and join international organizations.
Vietnam’s fight for independence has been a many centuries’ long struggle. In 111 BCE, the Chinese Han Dynasty consolidated Nanyue, the ancient kingdom, into their empire. In the 10th century Vietnam regained independence but civil fighting remained. In the 19th century France colonized much of the Asian peninsula, including Vietnam, and imposed Western culture and religion on the countries. During this time the famous Marxist Ho Chi Mihn called for independence, leading to the Viet Mihn and the First Indochine War. In 1954, Vietnam was split in two, with the Communist faction moving to the North, and Ngo Dinh Diem named Prime Minster of the South. The split was intended to quell fighting pending elections; these elections never happened, setting in motion fear of a Communist takeover and the American intervention in the country.
The Vietnam War was in many ways a major shock to America. The use of guerrilla war tactics by the rebels, unilateral political strategies, the use of chemical warfare that decimated people, land, and livestock, and coverage by journalists was like nothing seen before. The counter-war movement led to violent and peaceful protests. American soldiers took a double blow suffering the images of war and a cold reception at home. In 1976, Saigon fell.
The aftermath of the war left the country in ruin, but the Vietnamese people remained strong, many seeking asylum in the country that hurt them. Today Vietnamese culture is rich in America and Southeast Asia a strong player in foreign trade and travel. Vietnam is a country rich in folklore, martial art tradition, art, architecture, and of course, food. The books on display are just some of many at the library, browse the catalog or ask a librarian for more.
~Display and blog post by Donna Guerin, Reference Associate