A Brief History of Vietnam

This accessible guide is your one-stop shop for discovering Vietnamese history.

A Brief History of Vietnam explores the fascinating, turbulent history of a land that has risen from the ashes of war to become a leading economic power. This book expertly examines the history of a people and a nation with ancient roots but which only took its current shape in the 19th century under French colonial rule and its current name in 1945.

Before that landmark year, Vietnam was known by many names, under many rulers. Located in the geographical center of Southeast Asia, the country we call "Vietnam" was ruled by China, a series of Vietnamese emperors, and the French. A devastating, decades-long conflict for independence ensued, ending with the conclusion of the Vietnam War in 1975.

Key topics include:

• China's ancient conquest of Vietnam and the millennia-long struggle of the Vietnamese for independence from its powerful neighbor to the north.
• The reign of the Nguyen dynasty, the last dynasty to rule Vietnam, with its capital at the ancient city of Hue, today a UNESCO world heritage site.
• France's eventual colonization of Vietnam, which lasted for over 60 years, culminating in the dramatic Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
• The story of Ho Chi Minh, educated in France, who attended the Treaty of Versailles to advocate for independence and became Vietnam's first President after the Vietnam War.
• The violent political split between North and South, which resulted in a devastating war with the United States and eventual victory by the Communists.
• The country's miraculous emergence from three decades of war and its path to becoming one of the world's fastest-growing economies today.
• Perfect for history buffs of all kinds, the book includes 32 pages of vivid color photos that depict the country's rich history. Journalist Bill Hayton's accessible prose makes A Brief History of Vietnam an essential study of a beautiful, complex land in the heart of Southeast Asia and its worldwide influence.