Though modest in size, Vietnam’s influence on the world stage is profound. Its people and culture have travelled far, with a global diaspora of nearly 6 million “overseas Vietnamese” (roughly 5% of the nation’s total population). Vietnam’s story is also deeply intertwined with the histories of other countries, most notably France and the United States. Exploring this vibrant culture and its complex past is important for all students today, and requires a thoughtful and nuanced approach.
Vietnam’s history is one of resilience. Marked by over a thousand years of Chinese rule, followed by French colonialism and the profound impact of the Vietnam War (referred to in Vietnam as the “American War”), the nation’s story is one of struggle for independence. This history has forged a deep sense of national pride and patriotism that is a cornerstone of Vietnamese identity. Despite the shadows of conflict, Vietnamese culture is renowned for its warmth, hospitality, and a deep-seated respect for elders and family. This historical context is crucial when selecting literature. While books about the war are plentiful and important, focusing solely on the war can inadvertently paint a monolithic and somber picture of a people and a nation that is vibrant, modern, and forward-looking.
The end of the Vietnam-America War in 1975 led to a significant dispersion of Vietnamese people across the globe, with Vietnamese abroad now living in more than 130 countries and territories. A critical challenge facing Vietnamese diaspora communities is language preservation. Young generations of overseas Vietnamese often lack awareness of their mother tongue’s significance, and teaching Vietnamese abroad faces practical difficulties. The Vietnamese government has established September 8 as the Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad, recognizing the urgent need to preserve linguistic heritage.
Vietnamese uses a Latin-based alphabet, but don’t be fooled into thinking that this makes it easier for English readers. Vietnamese is a tonal language, and the alphabet contains diacritics and tone markers. There are five regional dialects, and pronunciation and vocabulary varies greatly depending on region. Vietnam is also home to 53 ethnic minority groups, each with their own language and many with their own writing system.
When supporting the home language development of Vietnamese-heritage students, it’s essential to be aware of these differences, and to know the language and dialect spoken at home.
Within Vietnam, there is significant government censorship, particularly concerning historical events like the Vietnam War. Materials published within the country present a state-sanctioned narrative, which can make it challenging to find unbiased or multi-faceted accounts of sensitive historical periods. The restriction that only state publishing houses can produce printed books means that alternative viewpoints or critical analyses are often unavailable in materials published in Vietnamese language. This is an important consideration when sourcing books from and about Vietnam, and highlights the value of seeking out authors from the diaspora who may have more freedom to explore a wider range of perspectives.
It can be challenging to purchase books in Vietnamese; printed books can only be published by state publishing houses and are not easily accessible globally.
VietBookStore is based in Indiana USA, and specializes in bringing Vietnamese language books to the world. Both Vietnamese books and works in translation can be accessed from Quynh and the team and shipped worldwide. They have a fantastic range of fiction, non-fiction and comics, and also take any pre-orders. Click here to see their collection, and contact them if you have any specific requests.
