La Francophonie in Vietnam

Did you know Vietnam is considered a Francophone country?

March is le mois de la Francophonie, and at the French Library, we’re celebrating French language and cultural exchange around the globe!

Origins of French Influence

French influence in Vietnam began in the 17th century with Catholic missionaries who traveled to the region to spread Christianity. They helped develop quốc ngữ, the Latin-based writing system for Vietnamese.

In the 19th century, France used the persecution of missionaries as a reason to intervene militarily. In 1858, French forces attacked Da Nang and Saigon, forcing Vietnam to sign the Treaty of Saigon (1862) and give up territory.

By the 1880s, control was solidified and Vietnam became part of French Indochina.

French Colonial Period

During colonial rule, French became the language of government, law, and higher education. Vietnamese elites, civil servants, and students were often educated in French-language schools, and knowledge of French became a path to administrative jobs. Newspapers, literature, and official records were frequently written in French, especially in major cities. While French education was usually reserved to the elites, a French pidgin called Tây Bồi developed among urban masses.

While French colonial rule brought infrastructure and economic development, these new policies were structured to benefit French settlers and local elites, leaving many Vietnamese peasants impoverished.







   

Francophonie Today

After French rule was defeated in 1954, French language lost its place in everyday life, and fluency rates dropped significantly. Compared to North Vietnam, French maintained a level of prestige and popularity in South Vietnam, but after reunification in 1976, French fell into disuse across the country.

A 2019 survey found that about 675,000 Vietnamese are fluent in French – less than 1% of the population.

Nonetheless, the Vietnamese government has made efforts to reinvigorate Francophonie in the country, bringing it back as a second language in middle and higher education and becoming an active member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

 

Francophonie in Vietnamese Culture

While French fluency may not be commonplace in modern Vietnam, the impact of French influence is still visible throughout Vietnamese language and culture. Modern Vietnamese features 300+ loanwords from French:



French influence is also visible in one of Vietnam’s beloved dishes - banh mi! This sandwich, is made on French-style baguette, often with mayonnaise as a dressing, and its name is a loan word from French (banh mi - pain de mie). A truly delicious product of cultural exchange!  

Lastly, if you ever travel to Vietnam, you’ll notice French influence in architecture all around, especially in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minch City (Saigon). Pictured is Hanoi Opera House, modeled after Palais Garnier in Paris.

Celebrate Francophonie with us!

Join a screening of Ru (2023) on March 17th, from 6-9pm. This movie follows the journey of young Tinh and her wealthy family as they flee Vietnam after the fall of Saigon and adjust to a new culture in Quebec. Screening will be followed by a discussion led by MIT Professor Aliko Songolo and a wine reception.