Early History of Vietnam

The place called Vietnam according to archaeologists has been inhabited since the stone—age. Its civilization began as far back as between 2000 to 1400BC. The people of this area engaged in wet rice cultivation and also developed the Dong Son Culture prominent for its bronze casting.

Its culture is believed to have been centered in Vinh Phu province of the present day Vietnam. Ethnologist—linguists and archaeologists are still researching on the elements of the Vietnamese people’s cultural diversity.

According to the oldest Vietnamese myth, the Vietnamese nation was founded by Hung Vuong; the pioneer ruler of Hung dynasty of the Van Lang Kingdom. Hung Vuong was the first son of Lac Long Quan who came from the sea to the Red River Delta and Au Co.

It is believed that Lac Long Quan taught the Vietnamese how to farm wet rice and is associated with the Sonai Culture. The Hung Dysnasty ruled for eighteen generations. The Hung kings were assisted by the Lac lords and carried out many developmental projects like construction of dikes and regulation of water distribution.

They also reared animals such as buffalos and elephants. The Hung kingdom was overthrown by An Duong Vuong the king in the third century BC.

However, in 208BC the kingdom was captured by the Chinese Qin Dynasty. Reluctant to submit to successors of Qin Dynasty Triew Da established the kingdom of Nam Viet comprising territories of southern China and Northern Vietnam.

Meanwhile the Lac lords ruled the Red River Delta as the Vassals of Nam Viet. The Chinese rule in Vietnam lasted for more than 1000 years thereby absorbing large number of Vietnamese into Chinese society.

Present day provinces of Yunnan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi were absorbed by China. Despite this, the Vietnamese of the Southern flank retained their language and some measure of independence. The elite has also learnt Chinese language and adopted some Chinese institutions.

Early in 10th century, the Vietnamese achieved independence as the fortune of the Han Dynasty began to dwindle.

The Vietnamese native Dynasty expanded the kingdom thereby displacing many people south of their borders.

One of the main reasons for this expansionist policy is the quest for farmlands.

Vietnam occupies very vital and strategic positions in Asia having boundaries with major Asian powers.

They have also been able to resist foreign aggression and the French invaders were expelled after the world war II. So also no American soldier wishes to have another Vietnam War experience.