Beyond the Romantic Narrative: A Reassessment of Vietnamese Anti-Colonialism
The heroic narrative of Vietnamese anti-colonial struggle, depicting a unified nation resisting foreign invaders, is widely celebrated. However, new scholarship reveals a more complex history. The first half of the 20th century saw competing nationalist ideologies vying for influence, offering diverse interpretations of Vietnamese national identity and anti-colonial strategies. The article explores the ideas of key figures like Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chau Trinh, Nguyen An Ninh, Pham Quynh, and Ho Chi Minh, highlighting their use of national shame to motivate compatriots towards anti-colonial nation-building and their differing interpretations of concepts like 'freedom' and 'democracy'. This challenges the simplistic, romanticized narrative, showcasing the complexity and diversity of Vietnamese anti-colonialism.