Emblems of the Republic of Vietnam (1948-1975)
This document was written in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN)
The National Flag
The national flag of Viet Nam was officially adopted by an Ordinance of June 14, 1948, signed by the Chief of the Temporary National Government of Viet Nam. The Ordinance specified the characteristics of the flag with the following words:
"The national emblem is a flag of yellow background, the height of which is equal to two-thirds of its width. In the middle of the flag, and along its entire width, there are three horizontal red bands having each a height equal to one-fifteenth of the total height, and being separated from one another by spaces of the same dimensions (."
The flag was flown for the first time on the ship Dumont D'Urville, which was moored at the Bay of Along for the ceremony of the signing of the Franco-Vietnamese treaty which established, in principle, the unity and independence of Viet Nam.
The yellow background is the traditional colour of the ancestral land, symbolizing the golden rice grains and the metal considered one of the most precious by humanity. The three red bands represent the three regions of Viet Nam, North, Central and South, reunited in the national community. Red, a vibrant colour, is symbolic of success
Despite the. Partition of Viet Nam after the signing of the Geneva Accord in July, 1954, subsequent national governments have After the preserved this flag in order to clearly mark the national the continuity of the struggle waged by the same reason Vietnamese people for their territorial integrity and national independence.
National Anthem The national anthem of Viet Nam is, entitled (Call to National Coat the Youth). It reflects the eagerness of the present generation in its struggle for national independence.
The national anthem was composed by Luu Huu Phuoc; and, due to its haunting rhythms and great patriotic impetus, it immediately conquered the youth. Consequently, it was adopted as the national anthem by an Ordinance of June 14, 1948 of the first Temporary National Government of Viet Nam.
The translation of the National Anthem is as follows:
Call To The Citizens
O People ! The country nears its freedom day.
Together we go forward to the open way.
Brothers from North and South unite,
With hearts young and pure as crystal
Multiply our efforts and do not spare our ardent blood.
No danger, no obstacle can stop us.
Our courage remains unwavering in the face of a thousand dangers.
On the new way, our look embraces the horizon
And who can repress the soul of our youth ?
O People! Going until the end is our resolution.
O People! To give all is our oath.
Together we go forward for the glory of the Fatherland. vWe fight for the immortality of the Lac Hong race.
After the signing of the Geneva Accord, the national anthem was retained - for the same reasons mentioned above with respect to the national flag Ñ with slight modifications to better adapt it to the prevailing circumstances. Notably, the original title of "Call to the Youth" was changed to "Call to the Citizens".
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Source: Thai Van Kiem et al. (1969) Vietnamese Realities 3rd ed. Sai Gon p.68-70.
