The Book of Salt

France occupied Vietnam, known then as French Indochina, from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th century. This period marked significant social, economic, and political change in Vietnam. The French initially took control of Vietnam through a series of military campaigns, culminating in the establishment of the colony in 1887, which included Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Under French rule, Vietnam underwent substantial infrastructure development to facilitate the extraction and export of resources such as rubber, coal, and rice. French colonial policies also introduced Western education, legal systems, and administrative practices. However, these developments primarily served French economic interests and often disregarded local needs and traditions.

The Vietnamese population experienced significant hardships during this period. Traditional social structures were disrupted, and many Vietnamese farmers lost their land to French settlers and colonial enterprises, leading to widespread poverty and social unrest. French cultural influence permeated Vietnamese society, particularly in urban areas, leading to a blend of Vietnamese and French customs and architecture.

Resistance to French rule grew over time, fueled by nationalist sentiments and the desire for independence. This resistance eventually culminated in the First Indochina War (1946-1954), which ended with the Geneva Accords and the withdrawal of French forces from Vietnam,