Like many Southeast Asian countries, Vietnam is a country rich in history. Vietnam has played a role in modern history and ancient history alike. Many people visit the country each year to learn more about its rich past.

Early in its history Vietnam was under the control of the Chinese Han Dynasty, which began in 111 A.D. There were a few attempts at revolution under the Han Dynasty, but these were not successful. Autonomy, if not independence, was achieved by the 10th century. In the mid 900s, the Chinese were finally pushed from the country.

The next several centuries saw an independent country led by a variety of Vietnamese dynasties. While these were not always peaceful times, and there were several civil wars during this period, the area was relatively independent. The independence lasted until the middle of the 1800s, when European colonization was in full force.

France colonized Vietnam and brought western culture and education to the country, greatly changing its culture. Plantations growing indigo, tea, tobacco, and coffee were organized. Again, many organizations arose seeking independence for the country, but the French government maintained control until the Second World War.

Japan invaded the area in 1941, and a government controlled by Nazi Germany was established. The Japanese government used the resources of the country to fund their other battlefronts in the region. When Japan was defeated in the war, the Viet Minh moved into control.

The Viet Minh was a communist movement that was seeking independence from Japanese control. It was led by Ho Chi Minh. After the Japanese left, the Viet Minh claimed control and declared independence. The French and Americans questioned this claim, and eventually the Geneva Conference caused the country to be divided. North Vietnam was controlled by Ho Chi Minh and his communist leaders, and South Vietnam was controlled by Ngo Dihn Diem with the support of the United States.

This division was not well received. Soon the United States started sending more and more troops to Vietnam to attempt to maintain the division. This eventually led to the Vietnam War, which was a war between the communist North Vietnamese and the democratic South Vietnamese. This war lasted until Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell in 1975. At this point, North Vietnam united the country under communist rule. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established on July 2, 1976, and the country remains under communist control to this day. Today, communism is still the political power, but free ownership is allowed and even encouraged in an attempt to help the country's economy, which suffered greatly after the war and under socialist control.

Visit Capital Of Vietnam for more information on Vietnam History and the Vietnam Economy http://www.capitalofvietnam.com/vietnam-economy.shtml