History
The race of Viet people originated 5,000 years ago and developed a monsoon rice agriculture in what are now northern Viet Nam and southern China. By around 3,500 to 4,000 years ago, the New Stone Age gave way to the Metal Age, and an extensive civilization developed called the Dong Son.
Replica of head of 2,500-year-old bronze drum excavated at Ngoc Lu site of Dong Son civilization. The concentric circles show rice agriculture, religious-cultural festivals, and the way of life close to nature. Drumhead in National Museum of History, Ha Noi. Photograph by author.
By 682 B.C.E., the Viet people formed a nation called Van Lang. During 111 BCE–938 AD, they fought 16 major resistance wars against China, which invaded and dominated during most of that period. Regaining independence for good in 939 AD, the nation set up a national administration down to villages.
The country flourished, with widespread agriculture, a strong domestic economy, international trade, and religious-cultural festivals occurring at various times during each year. In 1070 AD, a Temple of Literature was established, followed in 1076 with the opening of a national university, Quoc Tu Giam. It predated the Sorbonne of France by 200 years. For several centuries, Viet Nam had a stable national rule. The nation extended southward into the Mekong Delta. Then a period of civil war broke out, but in 1776, a revolution took place for the rights of the common person.
The French invaded in 1858. During 1815–1914, European countries increased their control of the earth’s surface from 35 percent to 85 percent. Much of this was by seizing colonies, among which France seized control of Viet Nam. By 1900, businesses from the US and some European nations were conducting business there, enabled by the violent invasion. Viet Nam’s long tradition of fighting for independence led to ultimate victory over the invaders.