Did imperialism help/weaken Vietnam>?

Question

Vietnam has been the target for imperialism for many countries.

Did imperialism of France and USA on Vietnam help or weaken Vietnam?

Answer 1

I agree with you, It helped but also harmed the country. If VN was not invaded, we could advance stronger, and no wars or separation could happen here. But it also improved the knowledge and renew the outdated Confucian system.

Answer 2

This is a very interesting question, and you’re going to get some very interesting and diverse answers (as you already have). My answer (or rather opinion) is Vietnam has neither been weakened nor strengthened by imperialism of France, the U.S. or even China. These other influences have blended into Vietnam to make the country what it is today. This is obvious by walking down the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

You can see an obvious Chinese influence throughout Vietnam. The French left Catholicism, architecture, cuisine and other characteristics. Whether you agree or not, the Americans left something very important as well, which is a taste of capitalism.

It can be argued whether these foreign influences made a positive or negative impact on Vietnam. However, I think it would be a waste of time to do so. Vietnam as a whole has embraced these influences, which adds to the country’s uniqueness in Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

Answer 3

If you're going to call the US imperialist for supporting South Vietnam, i would think it would only be fair to accuse China and the Soviet Union of the same.

and it didn't do so much good, especially since the US pulled out. If Vietnam went more like Korea, or better then. Vietnam would probably be the big ****. It would probably be like South Korea if not the Philippines which is already better off then Vietnam. IT is quite obvious once you Visit Manila vs Saigon/Hanoi.

Vietnam is coming up, by that is only because the US is supporting Vietnam by trading with it, much like a Mini-China.

South Vietnam was stronger then north Vietnam but since the hippies thought that 50,000 was too much compared to those poor Southeast Asians who have lose over 2 million because we pulled out. The communists forced their people to fight, over 1 million died fight south Vietnam, but why is it they won? because they didn't GIVE UP! so in the short term..yes it helped vietnam, but also harmed it.

Answer 4

helped Vietnam . people of southern Vietnam had better education opportunities and learned English . after occupation ended and Vietnam united , the better educated people of the south and who learned from Americans must have helped Vietnam do better afterwards .