All about the Flag of Vietnam

1. The History of the Vietnamese Flag

The national flag is a symbol of national sovereignty, which first appeared in modern European states. Before the 20th century, Vietnam did not have the concept of a "national flag." At that time, feudal dynasties used their own distinctive flags to showcase power and dominance. These dynastic flags had military and religious connotations and were not national flags in the modern sense.

1.1. French Indochina (1883–1945)

During the French colonial period, Cochinchina (Southern Vietnam) was a colony and therefore flew the French tricolor flag. The two protectorates, Annam (Central Vietnam) and Tonkin (Northern Vietnam), also flew the colonial yellow flag with the French tricolor in the upper left corner starting around 1900. In the early 1940s, the Long Tinh flag with a yellow background and a red stripe in the center, designed based on the Great Dragon stripe of Dai Nam, was established as the national flag of Dai Nam.

1.2. Empire of Vietnam (1945)

On March 11, 1945, Emperor Bao Dai proclaimed the independence of the Empire of Vietnam. The new government was established on April 17, 1945, led by scholar Tran Trong Kim. On June 12, Emperor Bao Dai signed Decree No. 52, confirming the national name as Vietnam and designating the new flag as the Ly Hexagram flag. This flag also had a golden background with a red Ly Hexagram in the center. The Ly Hexagram is one of the eight hexagrams of the Bagua, consisting of a continuous line, a broken line, and another continuous line; the length of these lines is two-thirds of the total length of the flag.

1.3. Democratic Republic of Vietnam (02/09/1945 – 1976)

The flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam officially became the national flag during the first session of the first National Assembly on January 5, 1946, and was recognized by the 1946 Constitution starting November 9, 1946. On July 2, 1976, the National Assembly unified after the 1976 general elections between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam, determining that this would be the official flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

1.4. Flags Existing Only in One Region

a. Autonomous Republic of Cochinchina (1946–1949)

After the British ceded control to the French, the French government actively promoted a movement known as the self-management of Cochinchina. On March 26, 1946, the Autonomous Republic of Cochinchina was established by France. From June 1, this country adopted a flag with a yellow background, featuring three blue stripes interspersed between two yellow stripes in the center. The design of the flag symbolized the three rivers Dong Nai, Tien Giang, and Hau Giang in the Cochinchina region. This flag existed only for 2 years due to the dissolution of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Cochinchina and its merger into the State of Vietnam, under the direction of the Head of State of United Vietnam, Bao Dai (June 2, 1948).

b. Sip Song Chau Tai (1948–1955)

The flag of Sip Song Chau Tai (or the Tai-Meo Autonomous Region in the northern mountainous region) was established on March 4, 1948. It has a 2:3 ratio and features two blue stripes with a white stripe in the center. In the center of the white stripe is a red 16-pointed star (originally 12 points). The flag’s design is based on the French flag, while the colors are inspired by the festive costumes of the Black Thai ethnic group. The 16-pointed star represents the 16 member states of the federation. Later, when the French were defeated in Indochina, this entity disintegrated.

c. State of Vietnam (1949–1955) and Republic of Vietnam (1949–1975)

On June 2, 1948, the Provisional Government of the State of Vietnam, led by Prime Minister Nguyen Van Xuan, officially adopted a flag with three red stripes on a yellow background as the national flag. The meaning of this flag is explained as follows: the yellow color is the traditional color of ancient Vietnamese monarchy and also represents the nation. The red color symbolizes prosperity and success. The three red stripes represent the three regions: North, Central, and South, unified under one national state. This three-red-stripe-on-yellow-background flag continued to be the national flag during the Republic of Vietnam (1949-1955) and later during the Republic of Vietnam, both first and second (1955-1975).

2. The Current National Flag of Vietnam

2.1. History

The flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam officially became the national flag during the first session of the first National Assembly on January 5, 1946, and was recognized by the 1946 Constitution starting November 9, 1946. On July 2, 1976, the unified National Assembly after the 1976 general elections between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of South Vietnam determined that this would be the official flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Currently, it is unclear who created the National Flag of Vietnam as the creation process occurred during a period when revolutionary forces in Vietnam operated in secrecy. However, two figures are considered possible creators: Nguyen Huu Tien and Le Quang So. The flag first appeared during the Cochinchina Uprising in southern Vietnam (1940).ư

2.2. Design

The national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is rectangular, with a width of 2/3 of the length. The background of the flag is red, with a yellow five-pointed star in the center.

2.3. Meaning

The red background of the flag symbolizes the blood shed, revolutionary fervor, the color of struggle, and victory.

The yellow color of the star represents the yellow skin tone, symbolizing the brilliance of the Vietnamese people’s spirit.

The five points of the star represent the great unity of different social classes: intellectuals, peasants, workers, merchants, and soldiers, who together fight for independence, freedom, and the construction of the homeland. The red flag with the yellow star is a testament to the unity, independence, autonomy, and peace of the Vietnamese people. The meaning of the red flag with the yellow star is intrinsically linked to the years of courageous, daring, and sacrificial struggle of the Vietnamese people to expel invaders, achieve governance, unify the nation, and overcome countless difficulties in the Vietnamese revolution to attain the peaceful, prosperous, and happy life enjoyed today.

2.4. Uses in Daily Life

The national flag is hoisted on special occasions, political events, traditional festivals of the people, and as announced by the Central Committee and local authorities. These occasions include, according to Decree 145/2013/ND-CP:

• Lunar New Year (first day of the first lunar month)
• Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam (03/02/1930)
• Commemoration Day of the Hung Kings (10/3 of the lunar calendar)
• Reunification Day (30/4/1975)
• Dien Bien Phu Victory Day (07/5/1954)
• Birthday of President Ho Chi Minh (19/5/1890)
• August Revolution Day (19/8/1945)
• Independence Day of Vietnam (02/9/1945)

Additionally, the national flag is hoisted or carried at places where rallies, parades, and public encouragement, production promotion, and revolutionary movements are organized. Note: The above content does not include the use of the national flag in funeral ceremonies.

2.5. Important Notes on the Use of the Vietnamese Flag

• When hoisting the national flag, ensure that it is not displayed upside down with the star facing downwards.
• The national flag is placed on the cars of Vietnamese ambassadors and consulates abroad. Except for the cases mentioned above, it is not permitted to place the national flag on official or private vehicles.
• It is prohibited to insult the national flag: such as soiling it, mocking it, dishonoring it, or any act that deforms or damages it, and one must assume legal responsibility for such actions. (Any individual who intentionally insults the national flag, national anthem, or national emblem will be warned, reformed without detention for up to 03 years, or imprisoned for 06 months to 03 years).
• Tourists should also be aware that they should not sit on or perform negative actions on the national flag. If used, it should not be placed in a disorderly manner.
• Banned flags in Vietnam, such as the flag of the Republic of Vietnam, should not be used. This three-red-stripe-on-yellow-background flag represents "anti-State" propaganda. Currently, in Vietnam, this flag is used only for cinematic purposes, especially in films about the Vietnam War in the South before 1975. If tourists are not careful and use it for propaganda, they may face legal responsibilities.

3. Other Types of Flags in Vietnam

3.1. Flag of the Communist Party of Vietnam

The Party flag, also known as the hammer and sickle flag, symbolizes communism. The hammer and sickle flag represents the communist organization, communist country, and communist regime. It also has a red background similar to the national flag. At the center of the flag is the hammer and sickle symbol. The intertwined hammer and sickle represent the union of workers and peasants, the two most important and numerous groups in the communist regime.

3.2. Buddhist Flag

This flag is usually seen during Vesak Day celebrations or hung in temples and their surroundings. It is an important symbol of Buddhism and holds special meaning for those who follow this religion. The Buddhist flag has five colors: blue, white, red, orange, and yellow. These colors represent the brilliance of the Buddhas. Each color has a different meaning.

3.3. Five Elements Flag

In Vietnamese culture, the Five Elements flag is a type of flag traditionally hung during festivals and religious ceremonies. This flag consists of five concentric squares in red, green, yellow, and blue colors, representing the Five Elements (nature). The color order may vary. The outer squares have three unequal sides, similar to a border. Sometimes, the center of the flag is shifted to remember a specific concept or characteristic. Historically, some royal dynasties and armies followed a similar model.

Source: https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu%E1%BB%91c_k%E1%BB%B3_Vi%E1%BB%87t_Nam