Flag of Vietnam

The national flag of Vietnam, officially known as the "Flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" or colloquially as the "Gold Star Red Flag" (Vietnamese: Cờ đỏ sao vàng), is a powerful and enduring symbol of Vietnamese national identity, its revolutionary history, and its aspirations for socialism and independence. It embodies the sacrifices made, the unity forged, and the bright future envisioned by its people. First unfurled as the flag of the Viet Minh in 1945 and later adopted by North Vietnam, it became the flag of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976 after the end of the Vietnam War.

Design and Dimensions

The flag of Vietnam features a red rectangular field with a large, five-pointed golden star positioned centrally.

The official ratio of the flag's width to its length is 2:3. This standard proportion ensures its balanced and recognizable appearance.

Symbolism of the Colors and Elements

Every element of the Vietnamese flag is deeply symbolic, reflecting the nation's rich history, political ideology, and the collective spirit of its people:

• Red Field: The red background is the dominant feature and unequivocally symbolizes revolution, struggle, and the bloodshed by the Vietnamese people in their fight for independence, freedom, and national liberation. It represents the revolutionary spirit that led to the overthrow of colonial rule and the establishment of a socialist state. It also embodies the communist ideals upon which the modern Vietnamese state is founded.

• Golden Star: The five-pointed golden star placed in the center of the red field is equally significant.

  • Leadership of the Communist Party: The star primarily represents the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which guided the country through its long struggles for independence and national unification.

  • Five Classes of Society: Each of the star's five points is said to symbolize a specific class of society essential to the building of socialism in Vietnam: the intellectuals, farmers, workers, businesspeople (or petty bourgeoisie), and soldiers. Their unity under the Party's leadership is crucial for national progress and development.

  • Bright Future and Prosperity: The golden color itself denotes brightness, prosperity, and the glorious future of Vietnam under the socialist system. It signifies the aspirations for a developed, prosperous, and just society.

History of Creation and Adoption

The history of Vietnam's flag is inextricably linked to its 20th-century revolutionary movements and its struggle for independence.

• Origins with the Viet Minh (1940s): The design of the Gold Star Red Flag was created by Nguyễn Hữu Tiến, a communist revolutionary, in 1940. It was first used during the uprising against French colonial rule in Cochinchina (southern Vietnam) in November 1940. However, it quickly gained prominence as the flag of the Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Vietnam), the nationalist and communist-led independence movement founded by Ho Chi Minh in 1941.

• Proclamation of Independence (1945): On September 2, 1945, when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) in Hanoi, the Gold Star Red Flag was officially unfurled as the national flag of the new independent state.

• Vietnam War Era (1954-1975): After the Geneva Accords in 1954, Vietnam was divided. The Gold Star Red Flag continued to be the flag of North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam), representing the socialist state and its reunification goals. South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) used a different flag, typically a yellow field with three red stripes. Throughout the Vietnam War, the Gold Star Red Flag became a powerful symbol of the communist forces and their allies.

• Reunification and National Flag (1976): Following the fall of Saigon in April 1975 and the reunification of Vietnam, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established. On July 2, 1976, the Gold Star Red Flag was officially adopted as the national flag of the unified country, solidifying its status as the sole symbol of the Vietnamese nation. Its adoption symbolized the triumph of the revolutionary struggle and the fulfillment of Ho Chi Minh's vision of a unified, independent, and socialist Vietnam.

Significance for the Inhabitants

For the people of Vietnam, the "Gold Star Red Flag" holds profound and deeply ingrained significance, representing much more than just a piece of fabric.

• National Pride and Unity: It is a powerful source of national pride and unity, symbolizing the extraordinary resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people to overcome centuries of foreign domination and achieve independence.

• Revolutionary Heritage: The flag is a constant reminder of Vietnam's revolutionary heritage, particularly the sacrifices made during the struggles against French colonialism and American intervention. It evokes a deep sense of respect for the heroes and martyrs who fought for the country's freedom.

• Socialist Ideals: For many, it embodies the socialist ideals and the path chosen by the Vietnamese Communist Party, reflecting aspirations for social justice, equality, and collective prosperity.

• Ho Chi Minh's Legacy: The flag is closely associated with Ho Chi Minh, the revered leader of Vietnam's independence movement. Seeing the flag evokes his legacy and the revolutionary spirit he embodied.

• Symbol of Modern Vietnam: It represents modern, unified Vietnam, a nation that has risen from the ashes of war to pursue development and international integration, while holding onto its core values.

Interesting Facts

• Designer's Fate: The designer of the flag, Nguyễn Hữu Tiến, was captured and executed by the French colonial authorities in 1941, just a year after he created the design. He never lived to see his flag become the national symbol of an independent Vietnam.

• First Unfurling: The flag's first recorded public unfurling was during the Cochinchina Uprising in November 1940, even before the official formation of the Viet Minh.

• Variations in Star Design: Early versions of the flag sometimes had slight variations in the star's shape or positioning, but the five-pointed golden star centrally located on a red field quickly became the standard.

• Name Origin: The common Vietnamese name for the flag, "Cờ đỏ sao vàng," literally means "Red Flag, Yellow Star," directly describing its visual elements.

• Symbol of North Vietnam: For over two decades (1954-1975), this flag exclusively represented North Vietnam, while South Vietnam used a yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes. The adoption of the Gold Star Red Flag for the unified country in 1976 was a clear symbolic victory for the North Vietnamese ideology.

• Used by Viet Cong: The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (Viet Cong), though not using the exact same flag, incorporated elements of the Gold Star Red Flag, often featuring a half-red, half-blue field with a golden star, signifying their alignment with North Vietnam.

• Prominently Displayed: The flag is omnipresent in Vietnam, flown proudly from public buildings, private homes, and often seen during national holidays and celebrations, symbolizing patriotism and national pride.

• No Coat of Arms: Unlike many national flags that also feature a coat of arms or other intricate emblems, the Vietnamese flag is distinct for its bold simplicity, relying solely on the red field and golden star to convey its powerful message.

In the demonstration images, full-size flags are shown with proportions of 2:3, and hand-held flags with proportions of 1:2.