Genres
Networks
ARTE
Vietnam. Geburt einer Nation
Overview
Under French colonial rule, Vietnam was not an independent state, but part of "Indochina" – France's distant paradise and a profitable colony. In 1945, amid the chaos of World War II, communist leader Ho Chi Minh proclaimed revolution and demanded Vietnam's independence. France responded with armed force. A conflict erupted that inspired people around the world to fight for their freedom, while simultaneously deeply dividing Vietnamese society. From the period under French colonial rule to the present day, the four-part documentary series uses multiple perspectives and emotionally recounts the journey of a nation that experienced utopias, conflicts, and the horrors of the late 20th century. The recollections of contemporary witnesses and unique access to Vietnamese archives provide a new perspective on the history of a country and a war that changed the world.
Key Crew
Director: Lucio Mollica, Philipp Gromov, Lena Noad
Seasons
Season 1 (2025)
No overview available.
4 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Independence 1920 - 1954
2025-04-29Under French colonial rule, Vietnam was not an independent state, but part of "Indochina" – France's distant paradise and a profitable colony. In 1945, amid the chaos of World War II, communist leader Ho Chi Minh proclaimed revolution and demanded Vietnam's independence. France responded with armed force.
Runtime: 53 minEpisode 2: Division 1954 - 1962
2025-04-29The Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 marked the end of French colonial rule in Vietnam. But the country paid a high price: Peace negotiations resulted in the temporary partition of Vietnam. The north went to the communists, and the south became an ally of the United States. The partition led to mass migration...
Runtime: 52 minEpisode 3: War 1963 - 1968
2025-04-29In 1963, South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown and assassinated in a military coup. US President Lyndon B. Johnson sent American combat troops to Vietnam. The conflict escalated into a violent catastrophe, images of which were broadcast daily on television around the world and shaped the collective memory of the war.
Runtime: 53 minEpisode 4: Reunification 1968 - today
2025-04-29In 1973, American troops withdrew from South Vietnam. Saigon fell in 1975, marking victory for North Vietnam and communism. While some people fled South Vietnam, for others the dream of a united, peaceful, and socialist Vietnam became a reality. But the deeply divided country was left in ruins after the war.
Runtime: 53 min
