What date does the Southern Uprising Day fall on? What are the developments of the Southern Uprising? Why do students in Vietnam have to study History?

What date does the Southern Uprising Day fall on? What are the developments of the Southern Uprising?

Below are information on the Southern Uprising Day:

The Southern Uprising broke out on November 23, 1940, which is 85 years ago (as of 2025).

The Southern Uprising was led by the Cochinchina Party Committee of the Communist Party of Indochina, and aimed against French colonial rule. The uprising erupted on a wide scale across many provinces in Cochinchina, such as Gia Dinh, My Tho, Vinh Long, Cho Lon, Tay Ninh, and others.

Although it failed, the Southern Uprising still holds important significance, showcasing the indomitable fighting spirit of the Southern people and being one of the important precursors for the August Revolution in 1945.

Main Developments of the Southern Uprising

The Southern Uprising took place in the context of a world engulfed in the Second World War, with the French colonial power weakened due to German occupation, while in Indochina, the French administration was under Japanese control. Seizing the opportunity, the Cochinchina Party Committee decided to launch an uprising, but the plan was exposed, resulting in difficulties from the outset.

Initially, the uprising was scheduled for the night of November 22 to the morning of November 23, 1940. However, a few days before, the plan was leaked, and the French colonialists intensified repression, arresting numerous revolutionary cadres. Despite the difficulties, some localities still proceeded with the uprising according to plan.

The Southern Uprising took place on November 23, 1940:

- In My Tho and Vinh Long: These were the two places where the uprising was the strongest. The insurgents attacked French military posts, destroying many of the enemy's structures. The red flag with a yellow star appeared for the first time.

- In Gia Dinh, Cho Lon, Tay Ninh, Bien Hoa, Bac Lieu: Uprisings took place, but due to weak forces and rudimentary weapons, they were quickly suppressed by the French.

- In Saigon, due to the strong French military presence, the uprising did not erupt.

After November 23, 1940: The French colonialists quickly counterattacked, severely suppressing the uprising. They mobilized troops, airplanes, and warships to crush the insurgents. Many villages were burned, and thousands were arrested, tortured, and executed. The uprising was completely suppressed after about a month.

Note: The above content is for reference!

What date does the Southern Uprising Day fall on? What are the developments of the Southern Uprising? Why do students in Vietnam have to study History? (Image from the Internet)

Why do students in Vietnam have to study History?

According to the general education program for History issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT, students in Vietnam must study history because:

- History helps students form and develop historical competencies, a component of scientific competencies while contributing to the formation and development of the key qualities and general competencies identified in the Overall Program.

- History plays a central role in educating patriotism, national pride, historical traditions, and national culture, helping students understand and apply historical lessons to solve real-life problems, develop perspective, and strengthen human values, community spirit, tolerance, and kindness; contributing to shaping and developing qualities of Vietnamese citizens and global citizens in the current era.

- History develops students' historical thinking, systematic thinking, critical thinking, skills in exploiting and using historical sources, and the ability to perceive and present history in both diachronic and synchronic logics, connecting the past with the present.

- History helps students understand the scientific and practical values of history in modern social life, gaining knowledge and love for national and human history and culture; guiding students toward career choices such as social and humanities research, diplomacy, management, tourism, cultural industry, media, etc.

What are the required outcomes regarding specific competencies in History?

Under the general education program for History issued with Circular 32/2018/TT-BGDDT the required outcomes regarding specific competencies in History are as follows:

The History curriculum helps students develop historical competencies based on foundational and advanced knowledge about world, regional, and Vietnamese history through a system of themes and topics on political, economic, social, cultural, and civilizational history. The components of historical competency include: understanding history; historical perception and thinking; and applying learned knowledge and skills.

Specific manifestations of historical competency are presented in the following table: