The national flag of Viet Nam was officially adopted by an Ordinance of June 14,
1948, signed by the Chief of the Temporary National Government of Viet Nam. The
Ordinance specified the characteristics of the flag with the following
words:
"... The national emblem is a flag of yellow background, the height of which is equal to two-thirds of its width. In the middle of the flag, and along its entire width, there are three horizontal red bands having each a height equal to one-fifteenth of the total height, and being separated from one another by spaces of the same dimensions."
The yellow background is the traditional color of the ancestral land,
symbolizing the golden rice grains and the metal considered one of the most
precious by humanity. The three red bands represent the three regions of
Vietnam, North, Central, and South, reunited in the national community. Red, a
vibrant color, is a symbolic of success.
The national anthem of Viet Nam is entitled "Thanh Nin Hành Khúc" (Call to the Youth). It reflects the eagerness of the present generation in its struggle for national independence.
The national anthem was composed by Luu Huu Phuoc; and, due to its haunting rhythms and great patriotic impetus, it immediately conquered the youth. Consequently, it was adopted as the national anthem by an Ordinance of June 14, 1948 of the first Temporary National Government of Viet Nam.
Quốc Ca Việt Nam
Này Công Dân ơi! Quốc Gia đến ngày
giải phóng
Đồng lòng cùng đi hy sinh tiếc gì
thân sống
Vì tương lai Quốc Dân cùng xông pha
khói tn
Làm sao cho núi sông từ nay luôn vững bền
Dù cho thây phơi trn gươm giáo
Thù nước, lấy máu đào đem báo
Nòi giống, lúc biến phải cần giải nguy
Người Công Dân luôn vững bền tâm tr
Hùng tráng quyết chiến đấu làm cho
khắp nơi
Vang tiếng người nước Nam cho đến
muôn đời
Công Dân ơi! Mau hiến thân dưới cờ,
Công Dân ơi! Mau làm cho ci bờ thoát cơn,
tàn phá
Vẻ vang nòi giống xứng danh Nghìn năm
giòng giống Lạc Hống
The translation of the National Anthem is as follows:
Call To The Citizens
O People! The country nears its freedom day.
Together we go forward to the open way.
Remembering our centuries of history,
Brothers from North to South reunite,
With hearts young and pure as crystal
Multiply our efforts and do not spare our ardent blood.
No danger, no obstacle can stop us.
Our courage remains unwavering in the face of a thousand dangers.
On the new way, our look embraces the horizon
And who can repress the soul of our youth?
O People! Going until the end is our resolution.
O People! To give all is our oath.
Together we go forward for the glory of the Fatherland.
We fight for the immortality of the Lac Long race.
After the signing of the Geneva Accord, the national anthem was retained - for the same reasons mentioned above with respect to the national flag with slight modifications to better adapt it to the prevailing circumstances. Notably, the original title of "Call to the Youth" was changed to "Call to the Citizens".