Independence Day in Vietnam
In the second half of the 19th century Vietnam fell into colonial dependence on France. The country was divided into three parts: the colony of Cochin China (South Vietnam), protectorates of Annam (Central Vietnam) and Tonkin (North Vietnam). Together with Laos and Cambodia Vietnam became a part of French Indochina.
By the 1930s, the country emerged a powerful national liberation movement led by the Communist Party of Indochina headed by Ho Chi Minh. During World War II Vietnam was captured by the Japanese who first disarmed and then completely neutralized the French garrisons.
By the end of the war Japan was forced to withdraw its troops to strengthen the defence Japan and Manchuria. The Communists took advantage of the power vacuum, and created the Viet Minh - a broad coalition of various liberation movements, then, in August 1945 they eliminated the last of the colonial administration institutions (it was so-called August Revolution). On September 2, 1945 Ho Chi Minh proclaimed independence of Vietnam set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
On September 2, 1969, Ho Chi Minh died, but his presence permeated Vietnam. Despite independence, modern Vietnam is influenced by cultural heritage of France, Russia and the United States. On September 3 Vietnam commemorates the anniversary of death of Ho Chi Minh (public holiday). In reality he died on September 2, but it was decided not to inform the people on the same day, so as not to mar the celebrations on the occasion of Independence Day.
