vietnam

• socialist republic of vietnam, viet nam, country in southeastern asia
the socialist republic of vietnam is a country in south-east asia. it became a french colony in the mid-19th century and was occupied by japan during the second world war. the french withdrew in 1954 after the battle of dien bien phu and the conclusion of the geneva agreements. the country was then divided into two, the communist north and the non-communist south. in 1965 the united states sent troops to the south to help in the fight against the north. they finally withdrew in 1973 after the paris agreements. in 1975, the regime in the south collapsed and the country was reunited under communist rule. vietnam invaded cambodia in 1979 and was attacked by china. the economy became dependent on soviet aid. private industry and agriculture were gradually reintroduced after 1986, and in 1989 vietnam started to export rice. off-shore oil is being developed. do muoi became secretary general of the communist party of vietnam (cpv), the only party, in 1991. vo van kiet became prime minister in 1991. in 1992 general le duc anh became president. vietnam has applied to join the association of south east asian nations.
socialist republic of vietnam, vietnam, country in southeastern asia