A Historic Transformation Revealed

HANOI – This week, Vietnam commemorates the 80th anniversary of its declaration of independence from French colonial rule, with a vivid display of cultural evolution amidst enduring French influences.

A grand military parade on September 2 will mark the occasion of the historic declaration made by revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in 1945, which aimed to conclude nearly a century of colonial domination yet sparked almost a decade of conflict until the French withdrawal in 1954.

The Heartbeat of History

Ba Dinh Square in central Hanoi, where Ho Chi Minh made his momentous announcement, stands alongside two stunning examples of French colonial architecture—the presidential palace and the Foreign Ministry. Yet, a striking revelation came when six young Hanoians interviewed by Reuters in front of the beautifully preserved Foreign Ministry building, a nod to the opulent French Indochine style, were largely unaware of its historical roots.

"I came here for its unique architecture and celebrity endorsements,” shared 30-year-old Nguyen Thi Trang, who was taken aback to learn about the building's French heritage.

Evolving Ties: From Colonization to Cooperation

Relations between Vietnam and France have shifted from colonial contempt to collaborative camaraderie. During French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Hanoi in May, the two nations signed lucrative deals worth a staggering $10 billion, covering various sectors including aviation and technology.

Macron was clearly impressed when he engaged with students who spoke flawless French at a university event. However, the prevalence of French—a language once emblematic of Vietnam's elite—is on a steady decline.

Language in Transition

Statistics reveal a startling trend: only 400 Vietnamese high school students have elected to study French for their graduation exams in 2025, while over 358,000 have opted for English and approximately 4,400 for Chinese. Content creator Hoang Thu Ha, 25, expressed her preference, stating, "If I must choose, I would prefer Chinese over French as the second foreign language since it feels more familiar, and China is our neighbor."

A Lingering Legacy

Despite a drop in French fluency, the French embassy in Hanoi notes that as of 2025, around 63,000 people are enrolled in French language courses, supported by about 400 teachers across Vietnam. The language still holds a certain prestige, although Japan and Korea's languages are climbing in popularity.

Culinary Influences: A Fusion of Flavors

Nowhere is the French connection more tangible than in Vietnam's culinary scene. Cafés punctuate streets nationwide, displaying flaky croissants and rich pâté in local eateries.

The beloved banh mi—a delightful fusion sandwich utilizing baguette-shaped bread—is a testament to this unique gastronomic blend, offering a vast array of fillings to entice every palate, including vegetarian options.

Curiously, none of the young Hanoians questioned recognized the French origins of banh mi. However, Nguyen Van Hoan, a 60-year-old businessman running a renowned bakery in central Hanoi, acknowledged the French influence on Vietnam's bread-loving culture, noting that French cuisine has evolved to align with Vietnamese tastes.