3000 - 1000 BC -- Group of people from southern China migrated to the Red River Delta region and merge with people who were already living there.

207 BC -- Vietnam was originally, called Nam Viet was found in the North around the Red River Delta and southern China. Its independent was established by a Chinese general.

111 BC -- Not long after the formation of the Viet people, the China�s Han dynasty conquered Nam Viet, rename it Giao Chi, and make it one of China province.

***** The Chinese controlled the region for over 1000 years. The Viet people fought back many time but it was no match to the Chinese army. During the Chinese rule the Viet people adapted Chinese writing, farming, science and government. While Chinese ruled the north the Champa and the Khmer empire, grew in the south. *****

AD 679 -- Once again Chinese change Vietnam name to Annam

939 -- Viet people defeated the Chinese army and set up an independent state under the rule of the Ngo dynasty.

***** For the next 900 years Vietnam was rule by it own emperors and gradually take over the south. During this period of time Vietnam struggle for many year to protect itself form it neighbors, China and Mongolia, and to stay united. It was divided and reunited several of time. *****

1010 to 1225 -- The Ly dynasty.

1200 -- Chu-nom, a transcription of Vietnamese words in simplified Chinese characters, comes into use.

1225 to 1400 -- The Tran dynasty, during their control there was two invasions by China�s Mongol rulers that are turned back.

1427 -- Le Loi expels Chinese armies from Vietnam, ending a 20 years period of foreign occupation. Le Loi started the Le dynasty and conquered Champa and extends the Vietnam�s territory far to the south.

1527 to 1593 -- Vietnam ruled by the Mac family.

1535 -- Portuguese traders visited Vietnam.

***** European sailed to Southeast Asia for rice, silk, tea, and spices. *****

1620 to 1672 -- Nguyen and Trinh families battle for control of Vietnam, finally agreeing to divide the country into northern and southern kingdoms.

1772 to 1786 -- Tay Son peasant rebels defeat Nguyen and Trinh armies and unite Vietnam under their rule.

1800 -- Nguyen Du composes Vietnam�s national poem, Kim Van Kieu.

1802 -- Nguyen Anh defeats Tay Son rulers and unites country under rule of the Nguyen dynasty and rename it Vietnam.

1820 -- Nguyen rulers begin persecution of Catholic missionaries and their converts.

1847 -- The French launch first major attack against the Vietnamese firing on the port of Da Nang.

***** The French knew that Vietnam had rich, fertile farmland, natural resources and mineral. French gain control of Vietnam and divided it into 3 colonies. The French built factories, dug mines, developed rubber and tea plantation. Vietnamese word for very little money and pay high tax. The Vietnamese had no important position in government or in business. Churches were also built to tries to convert Vietnamese religion. The French remain in control until WWII. *****

1858 to 1883 French gain control of Vietnam and divided it into 3 colonies.

1900 -- Phan Boi Chau and other nationalist leaders begin to form a strong resistance movement against French colonial rulers.

1910 to 1939 -- Two radical Vietnamese religious sects, Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, are founded.

1940 to 1945 -- Japan takes control of Vietnam from France during WWII. Millions of Vietnamese die during wartime famine.

***** Japan took control of Vietnam for five years. After Japan surrender, France wants it colonies back. Within a couple of month soldiers were sent to take over South Vietnam again. France gains control over South Vietnam. They begun to send troop over to North Vietnam, but Vietnamese was determined to end French rule. The Vietnamese begun to fight the French troops. The French struggle with the Vietminh Force, formed by Ho Chi Minh in 1941, for the next eight years. The Vietminh defeated the French at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Vietnam remains divided between North and South Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh rules North a Western-oriented government under Bao Dai governs Vietnam and South Vietnam. *****

1949 -- Emperor Bao Dai became the head of government of French controlled Vietnam.

1955 -- Ngo Dinh Diem ousts Bao Dai as leader of South Vietnam.

1957 -- There suppose to be an election held to decide whether or not to reunite the country, but than Diem canceled the elections. After that National Liberation Front�s Communist guerrillas begin attacks against South Vietnam. The Viet Cong, a group of Vietnamese the supported the government of the north, also began to attack villages in the south. US send military assistance to South Vietnam.

Many Vietnamese suffered during the war. Their villages were burned, cities were bombed, farms were destroyed, and innocent people were killed. Thousands of bombs were dropped on Vietnam. About two million Vietnamese died, four million were wounded and six million people lost their home during the war. In 1973, the American leaved Vietnam with 58,000 soldiers dead or missing. The war between north and south continue for another two years. North Vietnam took over South Vietnam and reunited the country under a communist government.

During the war the American dropped Agent Orange on to the jungles to kill the trees and uncover the hideouts of the Vietnamese armies, because that is where they often hide. Agent Orange destroyed one fifth of Vietnam�s trees. The water and soil were poisoned, and crops were destroyed, causing many people to starved to death. Since the war the chemical could be the cause of disease and birth defects.

Many became refugees, fleeing from their home to find area where it is safe, hoping that no bombs would drop on them. Thousands had to live in dirty refugees camps outside the cities because they had no homes, jobs, or money. After the war a million of people left Vietnam, hoping to find a better life in another country. Most people left Vietnam on overcrowded boats and thousands died at sea.

This was meaningless the United States had change nothing in the end Vietnam still remain a communist country. There should have been an election in 1956 to vote whether or not the country should be reunite, in stead of having this ridiculous war. It only cause pain and suffering for the innocent people. Most people have lost friends and family members who were killed during the war and those who survived the war were badly injured.

1978 -- Vietnam invades and occupies Cambodia.

1979 -- Vietnam fights a border war with China.

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