Vietnam Flag

The history of the Vietnam flag goes back to World War II. An early version of the current Vietnam flag appeared as the symbol of Ho Chi Minh and his soldier’s resistance against the Japanese troupes during the War. The format was similar, a yellow star in the center of a red field. At this time, Vietnam was still part of French Indonesia. The French had annexed Vietnam in 1887. When Japan invaded the country, the Vietnamese, under Ho Chi Minh, responded.

France continued to rule over Vietnam until 1954. Ho Chi Minh and his communist soldiers defeated the French, taking control of the North. The country split into two parts, creating two separate entities, each with their own Vietnam flag. The two Vietnam flags waved above separate capitals. The North used a version of Ho Chi Minh’s Vietnamese flag. There was a slight difference. North Vietnam’s flag featured a stubby star. In 1955, North Vietnam revised their flag. This new flag of Vietnam was more orthodox, the central star regular. The five points represented the farmers, workers, intellectuals, youths and soldiers.

The flag of South Vietnam, designed in 1948 by Emperor Bao Dai consists of a yellow surface. In its midst, stretching the entire length, are three red bands. On the three bands of the flag of Vietnam were the divination sign of Qu? Càn representing Heaven or the South Sky. It also symbolizes the Vietnamese people, the Vietnamese nation and the power of the people.

The meaning of the Vietnam flag differs according to the source. Americans saw the flag of North Vietnamese as symbolic of forces antithetical to the democratic American way of life. Many Vietnamese, north and south, perceived the Vietnam flag as symbolizing freedom from domination and colonialism. The interpretation of the flag of Vietnam relied on other’s perception. There is one undeniable fact, however. The color scheme and use of the star are indicative of communism.

During the Vietnam War (1954-1975), the image of the Vietnam flag was an integral part of the evening news. Vietnam flag photos and pictures of the Vietnam flag appeared in newspapers around the world alongside descriptions of both American and Vietnamese soldiers and their battles. The flag of Vietnam with a picture of the country it represented became imbedded in the American people’s conscience, especially after the My Lai massacre.

After 1976, the two countries once again became a united entity. The flags of Vietnam became one; the country proclaimed itself a socialist Republic The new Vietnam national flag was the old flag of North Vietnam. This new flag of Vietnam now flies over the capital city of Hanoi. It is referred to, simply, as the “Red Flag with Yellow Star.”