Vietnam celebrates its independence from French colonial rule.
In the heart of Hanoi, colonial mansions once housing French administrators now stand festooned with the red flags of independent communist Vietnam. This vivid contrast symbolises the complex relationship between Vietnam and France, a relationship that will likely remain a subtext in this year's anniversary celebrations.
Carlyle Thayer, Emeritus Professor at Australia's University of New South Wales, anticipates minimal reference to French colonialism in the anniversary's speeches by Vietnam's leaders. Instead, Vietnam seems to favour a flexible approach called "bamboo diplomacy," aiming to maintain good relations with all comers, including superpowers like the United States and China.
The anniversary parade will serve as a testament to Vietnam's eight decades of self-definition. For 24-year-old Huynh Nhung, the thoughts will turn away from France's "story of the past" and towards Vietnam's journey of independence.
The French language, introduced in Vietnam by the Doan Thi Diem School in Hanoi, still holds a place in the hearts of many. Around 30,000 schoolchildren in Vietnam study the language, according to official figures. However, French may be more of a marker of cultural prestige than an economic asset, with few Francophone jobs and little migration to France.
One of Vietnam's most popular day snacks, Banh mi, is a fusion of French baguette and local Asian meat and vegetable fillings. For 43-year-old Nguyen Thi Van, who sells banh mi in Hanoi's "French Quarter," never really thought about the origins of the cuisine.
Despite the minimal economic impact, French remains significant as a language of culture and diplomacy. Teacher Luu Thanh Hang believes it helps students develop critical thinking and creativity. French Indochina, officially established in 1887, encompassed all of modern-day Vietnam, as well as neighbouring Cambodia and Laos. Today, about 1-5% of the Vietnamese population still speaks French, mostly among older generations and in education or diplomacy contexts.
The anniversary parade will be a celebration of Vietnam above all else, sharing a patriotic spirit among spectators. Meanwhile, Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, once a symbol of France's brutal treatment of Vietnamese colonial dissidents, now stands as a memorial partly dedicated to that dark chapter.
France's presence in Vietnam was not entirely negative. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Vietnam in May and inked billion-euro contracts, presenting France as a "sure and reliable friend." The French language, while no longer a major everyday language in Vietnam, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many.
In the photo booth at the parade, 20-year-old Vu Thi Ngoc Linh captures moments of pride. She feels that every customer is proud to be a child of Vietnam. For these Vietnamese, the past may be a complex chapter, but the future shines brightly as they celebrate their independence.
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