Why Vietnam Ditched Chinese Characters

Vietnam once used Chinese characters—so why does it now write with a Latin-based alphabet? This video traces the surprising history behind that change, through centuries of cultural exchange, foreign rule, and debates over Vietnam’s future. 📕 TABLE OF CONTENTS 📕 [00:00] Vietnam's Current Script [00:43] Chinese Usage in Vietnam [02:05] Vietnam's Own Script: Chữ Nôm [05:14] Early Development of Romanized Script [07:15] France Colonizes Vietnam [10:31] Vietnam Fights Back [12:22] Closing Thoughts 📁 REFERENCES 📁 Đặng, K.-B. (2025). Questioning the strategies used to create the Chữ Quốc Ngữ romanized script (1615–59). Jesuit Educational Quarterly, 1(2), 313–333. https://doi.org/10.51238/9x7ys9Z Digital Publications DeFrancis, J. (1977). Colonialism and language policy in Viet Nam. Mouton. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110802405 degruyterbrill.com Nguyễn, Đ.-H. (1990). Graphemic borrowings from Chinese: The case of chữ Nôm—Vietnam’s demotic script. Bulletin of the Institute of History and Philology, Academia Sinica, 61(2), 383–432. toaj.stpi.niar.org.tw Weng, J. (2020). End of an era: Transforming language and society in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, c. 1870–1950. European Journal of Sociology / Archives Européennes de Sociologie, 61(2), 269–299. https://doi.org/10.1017/S000397562000... 🔗 LINKS 🔗 Some of these are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase on the site after clicking these links, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 📹 Camera Gear: Main camera: https://amzn.to/4gNM5t8 Main Microphone: https://amzn.to/4gMQWuD Wireless Microphone (for shorts): https://amzn.to/4qXIOwf Teleprompter: https://amzn.to/4gMR0dR SAY HI! Instagram:   / julesytooshoes