France occupied all of Vietnam by 1884, ruling it as a colony until 1954, as part of Indochina. Independence was declared after World War II, and the French were defeated in 1954 by communist forces under Ho Chi Minh, who took control of North Vietnam. South Vietnam also gained its independence at this time, but was under the control of anti-communists. Economic and military aid from the United States to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973 (see Vietnam War). Two years later North Vietnamese forces overran the South. Economic reconstruction of the reunited country has proven difficult.
- Geography of Vietnam
- Demographics of Vietnam
- History of Vietnam
- Politics of Vietnam
- Economy of Vietnam
- Communications in Vietnam
- Transportation in Vietnam
- Military of Vietnam
- Foreign relations of Vietnam
- Vietnamese language
- List of ethnic groups in Vietnam