-Vietnams National Identity Essay

Question: What influences led to the development of a Vietnamese national identity? (up until
1900)
There are numerous factors which led to the Vietnamese forming a sound sense of national identity,
such as the wet rice farming, Chinese domination, nationalist heroes and French colonisation.
Vietnam has faced constant foreign invasions and interferences, which no other country has
endured quite to this degree, and it has continually rebelled against them, causing Vietnam to
become a resilient country with an unwavering identity.
Wet rice farming is a major aspect that has become ingrained as part of Vietnams culture, and was
introduced by the Chinese. It is the crux of the Vietnamese economy, and the land survives on this
ancient practice. Field workers are required to live beside the land they work on; hence the reason
cooperative villages were established. As a result of these villages, the Vietnamese peasants
developed a strong sense of identity, and Vietnam depended greatly on the culture of wet rice
farming.
Perhaps the most significant factor that led to the development of a Vietnamese national identity
was Chinese domination. China ruled Vietnam for over 1000 years, and the very name Vietnam
originates from the initial Chinese invasion, meaning the Pacified land of the Southern People.
Vietnams main religions, Confucianism and Buddhism, were also received from the Chinese, which
indicates how heavily influenced Vietnam was, as Confucianism and its principles contributed to the
shaping of Vietnams culture and beliefs stressing respect for elders, duty, responsibility of the
individual and the acceptance of hierarchical order. Above all else, the endless succession of
invasions from China is what most immensely led to the formation of Vietnams national identity.
Vietnam constantly rebelled, and resisted this domination, and it was the continual struggle against
foreign invasion that caused Vietnam to become a resilient nation, steadfast in it culture and
identity. They finally succeeded in ridding China in 938CE, and China was persuaded to recognise
Vietnam as an independent nation.
Throughout the struggle to expel the Chinese domination from Vietnam, many national heroes
become apparent, which were unifying symbols. Some of these influential conquerors include Trung
Trac and Trung Nhi, two titled sisters who led the first revolt against China, and established an
independent state, from Hue to Southern China. Following this, in 248AD, was Triau Au, who is
referred to as the Vietnamese Joan of Arc, and led a thousand men into battle. The next Vietnamese
hero to emerge was Le Loi, whose empire existed for 400 years. He led a guerrilla resistance
movement, driving the Chinese from Vietnam, which led to China signing an agreement, accepting
Vietnams independence. These national war heroes and heroines united Vietnam, and
consequently influenced Vietnams string sense of national identity.
French colonisation is a key influence in helping shape Vietnams identity. At this particular time,
many of the main European powers were undergoing colonial races, and French businessmen were
eager to possess ports and markets in Vietnam, as these assets would reap a considerable profit. In
an attempt to establish a base in Vietnam, France supported Ngu Yen (who was aiming to overthrow
the emperor), by supplying arms. In 25 years (by 1890) France had managed to set up protectorates
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over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and it had also brought Cochinchina, Annam and Tonkin under
the Indochina Union Vietnam was no longer classed as a single unified country. The French also
demanded that Catholicism be tolerated by the Vietnamese, as there were a large number of
immensely persistent Roman Catholic missionaries throughout the nation. Despite bringing
Catholicism into Vietnam, the primary objective of France was for economic gain, and they exploited
Vietnams resources establishing rubber plantations, tin and zinc mines, factories, railways and
cornfields. Although the French did indeed introduce many European delicacies into Vietnam, and
began opening up more industries, the Vietnamese by no means welcomed this. The mines and
plantations brought mass disease, including malaria, malnutrition and dysentery. This great
domination from the French, though not appreciated in any way, also led to the development of
Vietnams identity, and assured sense of who they are as a nation.
In conclusion, the influences that caused Vietnam to develop such a sturdy identity are the wet rice
farming culture, as it led to many cooperative villages dotted throughout the nation, Chinese
domination, as it prompted constant resistance and rebellion on behalf of the Vietnamese, national
heroes and heroines, as they are symbols which unified Vietnam as a whole, and last of all French
colonisation, as it resulted in Vietnam strengthening its national identity. All these factors influenced
Vietnam to become a resilient, independent nation with a sound sense of culture and beliefs.