HISTORY 

Vietnam has been occupied by many countries and has a history of many wars.

Three thousand five hundred years ago, people from the southern islands of Vietnam traveled to Vietnam. These were the first Vietnamese. North Vietnam and part of China was conquered by a Chinese General, he called his kingdom 'NamViet'.

In 111 BC, North Vietnam was ruled by China. The Vietnamese people kept their own way of living, and in 939, Vietnam took control of its own country. They named their country 'Dai Co Viet'.

During the 1850's the French invaded Indochina, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia .Soon after, during the Second World War, the Japanese Army controlled the French colony. Japan lost the Second World War and left Indochina.

Communist, Ho Chi Minh (1899-1969) was the father of modern Vietnam. He led Vietnam against Japan during World War II. In 1945, when Ho Chi Minh became President, he wanted support from the Americans, but the US Government decided not to help, so Ho Chi Minh turned to Russia, a Communist country for support. When the French returned to Vietnam to set up a government, they were defeated by Ho Chi Minh and his army at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Ho Chi Minh was known as 'Uncle Ho'.

North and South Vietnam divided into separate countries when the French left in 1954.The Diem Government of the South was not popular and political leaders criticised it.

In 1957, the North declared war on the South.

Diem was shot on November the 2nd, 1963.

The Vietnam War started in 1965 and the United States of America joined forces with the South Vietnamese Army. Homes and vegetation were destroyed by flame-throwers and napalm bombs. Many people died. Australia was persuaded to help South Vietnam with troops, aid and welfare work.

Near Ho Chi Minh City there is a huge series of underground tunnels, where the Viet Cong hid from the Americans. Inside the tunnels there were 'punji' (spiked sticks) that were used to deter intruders. These tunnels were called the Cu Chi Tunnels. Finally the war ended with South Vietnam surrendering in 1975 on April the 30th. In 1976, the North took control of the South, and since then the country has been ruled by a Communist government. Now, after many years of war, Vietnam has rebuilt it's industry, there is plenty of food and the people are looking forward for a better future.

By Calvin and David