Vietnam Flag: Meaning, History, and Different Flags Explained
The Vietnam flag is easy to recognize but not always simple to understand. Today, the red flag with a yellow star represents the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, yet many photos, museums, and overseas communities still display other Vietnamese flags. These different designs come from distinct historical periods and political experiences. Understanding them helps travelers, students, and professionals avoid confusion, show respect, and read history more accurately.
This guide explains the official national flag of Vietnam, its colors and symbolism, and how it developed over time. It also introduces the former South Vietnam flag, the Viet Cong flag, and the heritage flag used by many Vietnamese abroad. By the end, you will see how one country can be associated with several flags, each carrying its own meaning and memories.
Introduction to the Vietnam Flag and Why It Matters
Overview of the national flag of Vietnam
The current national flag of Vietnam is a red rectangle with a bright yellow five-pointed star in the center. The shape follows a 2:3 ratio, so the width is one and a half times the height. This simple design is the official national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and appears on state buildings, at international meetings, and during national holidays.
Many people, however, encounter more than one “Vietnam flag.” Historical photos from the Vietnam War show a yellow flag with three red stripes for South Vietnam and a special flag for the National Liberation Front, often called the Viet Cong. In addition, some overseas Vietnamese communities still use the former South Vietnam flag as a cultural or heritage symbol. It is important to note that only the red flag with the yellow star is recognized today by Vietnam and by other countries as the national flag of Vietnam. The other designs are historical or community flags and do not represent a current state.
Who this guide is for and what you will learn
People all over the world come across the Vietnam flag in different situations. Students and researchers meet it in history books and documentaries, often next to other Vietnamese flags from earlier eras. Professionals may face choices about which flag to display at embassies, academic events, or multicultural festivals. This guide is written to help all these readers understand what each flag means in a clear, neutral way.
In the following sections you will learn how to recognize the national flag of Vietnam and how its design, colors, and proportions are defined. You will read about the meaning of the red background and the yellow star, and how interpretations of the flag have changed over time. The article explains the origins of the flag in anti-colonial uprisings, followed by a straightforward overview of the South Vietnam flag, the Viet Cong flag, and other war-time flags. Later sections describe how the flag is used today, basic etiquette, the heritage flag in the Vietnamese diaspora, and the role of the Vietnam flag in diplomacy and regional organizations. Together, these topics provide a practical reference for anyone who may need to display, describe, or interpret Vietnamese flags.
Quick Facts About the National Flag of Vietnam
Short definition of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam flag
The national flag of Vietnam is a red rectangular flag with a large yellow five-pointed star at its center. It represents the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is used by the state in all official contexts. You can see this flag on government buildings, at embassies, during international sports events, and on major national holidays throughout the country.
Although many historical and community flags are linked to Vietnam, this red-and-yellow design is the only one that functions as the legal symbol of the Vietnamese state. In everyday terms, it is the Vietnam country flag you will see at the United Nations, at ASEAN meetings, and at official visits by foreign leaders. When people ask about the “national flag of Vietnam,” they are referring to this specific flag.
Core specifications and usage at a glance
For quick reference, it helps to summarize the most important facts about the national flag of Vietnam. These details answer common questions such as its official status, proportions, and main colors. Designers, teachers, and travelers often need this type of information when preparing presentations, printing materials, or organizing events where the flag will appear.
Key points about the national flag of Vietnam include:
- Official name: National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
- Current design first adopted: 1945 (for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam), confirmed for unified Vietnam in 1976
- Flag ratio: 2:3 (height:width)
- Main colors: Red field and yellow five-pointed star
- Official status: Sole national flag used by the Vietnamese government in domestic and international contexts
- Typical uses: Government offices, schools, public squares, embassies, consulates, military facilities, national celebrations, and international sports competitions
Within Vietnam, the flag is highly visible in daily life. It is raised on national days such as 2 September (National Day) and 30 April, as well as at large sports events and whenever the country hosts foreign dignitaries. Seeing many red flags with yellow stars lining streets usually signals some important public celebration or commemoration.
Design, Colors, and Official Specifications of the Vietnam Flag
Basic design and legal definition of the Vietnam flag
The design of the Vietnam flag is deliberately simple. It is a red rectangle with a 2:3 ratio, meaning that for every two units of height there are three units of width. In the exact center of this rectangle sits a large yellow star with five straight points. The star is not small or placed in a corner; it is the dominant element and clearly visible from a distance.
Vietnam’s constitution and related legal documents describe this flag in compact, formal language. In everyday terms, the laws say that the national flag is a red field with a yellow five-pointed star in the middle, representing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. These texts anchor the flag as one of the state’s main symbols, alongside the national emblem and national anthem. While different translations may number the relevant articles slightly differently, the legal idea is consistent: the red flag with the yellow star is the sole symbol of Vietnam as a sovereign state, and public authorities must use it when representing the country.
Vietnam flag colors and common digital and print codes
Because of the flag’s simple design, its colors are especially important. The field is a bright, strong red, and the star is a clear, vivid yellow. Vietnamese law does not usually define the flag using commercial color systems such as Hex, RGB, CMYK, or Pantone. Instead, it describes the colors in plain words, leaving practical choices to designers and printers as long as the overall impression is correct.
In practice, however, many institutions and graphic artists use common reference values so that the Vietnam flag looks consistent in books, on websites, and on printed banners. The following table lists typical, widely used approximations:
| Element | Hex | RGB | CMYK (approx.) | Pantone (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red field | #DA251D | 218, 37, 29 | 0, 90, 87, 15 | Pantone 1788 C (similar) |
| Yellow star | #FFFF00 | 255, 255, 0 | 0, 0, 100, 0 | Pantone Yellow C (similar) |
These numbers are not legally binding, but they help ensure that the Vietnam flag appears as a bright red flag with a clear yellow star, rather than a dark or faded variant. Slight differences in shade occur in real life because of different textiles, printing methods, or screen settings, and they are generally accepted as long as viewers can easily recognize the standard red and yellow combination.
Proportions, layout, and evolution of the star shape
The 2:3 ratio of the Vietnam flag influences how all elements are laid out. If the flag is 2 meters high, it will be 3 meters wide. Within this rectangle, the yellow star is usually sized so that it appears large and central, with its points reaching roughly toward the middle of each side of an imaginary circle. Official diagrams show the star placed exactly at the geometric center of the flag, and its points are arranged symmetrically.
The shape of the star has changed slightly over time. Early versions of the flag, used around the 1940s and early 1950s, often showed a star with gently curved points, giving it a softer, almost hand-drawn look. In the mid-1950s, authorities refined the design and adopted a more geometric star with straight lines and sharper angles. This change made it easier to reproduce the flag accurately in print and on cloth, especially as mass production increased. Even so, the basic idea—a single yellow five-pointed star in the center of a red field—remained stable, allowing people to recognize the flag across decades despite minor design adjustments.
Symbolism and Meaning of the Vietnam Flag
Meaning of the red background on the Vietnam flag
The red background of the Vietnam flag carries strong symbolic weight. In official and popular explanations, the red field represents revolution, blood, and sacrifice in the long struggle for independence and national unity. It evokes the lives lost in anti-colonial uprisings, wars of resistance, and efforts to build a new political order in the twentieth century. This meaning connects the flag directly to the country’s modern revolutionary history.
Red is also a common color in many other national and socialist flags, especially those linked to left-wing or revolutionary movements in the twentieth century. It can symbolize courage, determination, and the willingness to face hardship for a cause. In Vietnam’s case, the red field ties the national flag to a broader international tradition of revolutionary symbolism, while also echoing earlier periods when red banners were raised in local uprisings against outside powers. As a result, the color speaks both to global political currents and to uniquely Vietnamese experiences.
Meaning of the yellow five-pointed star
The yellow five-pointed star represents the Vietnamese people and the nation as a whole. Yellow has long been associated with Vietnamese identity, including as an imperial color used by past dynasties. By placing a yellow star on a red field, the flag links the modern socialist republic to older cultural symbols while presenting a new, simplified emblem for the entire population.
The five points of the star are commonly interpreted as representing major groups within society. A frequent explanation lists them as:
- Workers
- Farmers
- Soldiers
- Intellectuals
- Youth or small traders and producers
These groups stand for the main forces seen as building and defending the country. The star’s position at the center of the flag suggests unity and cooperation among them under a shared socialist framework. Different texts may name slightly different categories or combine some of them, but the overall idea is stable: the star symbolizes the unity of diverse social groups working together for the nation.
How interpretations of the Vietnam flag changed over time
When the red flag with the yellow star first appeared in the 1940s, it was closely tied to the Viet Minh, the anti-colonial front led by the Communist Party. At that time, it functioned mainly as a revolutionary emblem for a movement seeking to end colonial rule and create a new state. During the early years of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north, many people viewed the flag as representing a specific political project rather than the entire Vietnamese nation, especially because rival states and movements used different flags in other parts of the country.
After the end of the Vietnam War and the formal reunification of the country in 1976, the same red flag with the yellow star became the symbol of a single, unified Vietnamese state. Over the following decades, everyday associations with the flag broadened. Many people now connect it not only with politics and past conflicts but also with sports victories, tourism promotion, and cultural pride. For example, during international football tournaments, crowds wave the national flag to cheer for the Vietnamese team, and the mood is more festive than ideological. At the same time, personal feelings about the flag still vary, especially among different generations and communities, including those who left the country after 1975. This mix of meanings makes the flag a complex symbol that carries both historical weight and contemporary, everyday significance.
Historical Origins of the Vietnam Flag
From the Cochinchina uprising to Viet Minh adoption
The story of the Vietnam flag begins in the late colonial period. Around 1940, during the Cochinchina uprising in southern Vietnam, anti-colonial activists used a red flag with a yellow star as one of their symbols. This uprising, centered in the French-administered region of Cochinchina, was suppressed, but the flag design left a lasting impression among revolutionary circles.
In the early 1940s, the Viet Minh, a broad front led by Vietnamese communists, adopted a similar red flag with a yellow star as its emblem. From that moment, the design was closely linked to the northern-led government and to efforts to create a unified, independent Vietnam under its leadership.
Who designed the Vietnam flag?
The exact authorship of the Vietnam flag has been the subject of ongoing discussion among historians and in popular memory. One widely cited account credits Nguyễn Hữu Tiến, a revolutionary who was active in the Cochinchina uprising and reportedly involved in creating the red flag with a yellow star. According to this narrative, he designed the emblem and wrote a poem explaining its symbolism, linking the red background to blood and the star to the people.
Other sources mention Lê Quang Sô, another activist, as having played a key role in drawing or proposing the flag. Because documentation from that period is incomplete and some accounts were written much later, scholars have not reached a fully documented conclusion about who should be recognized as the single designer. Most careful histories therefore use phrases such as “often credited to Nguyễn Hữu Tiến” or “according to some sources” when describing the flag’s origins. What is clear is that the design emerged from revolutionary networks in southern Vietnam in the early 1940s and was later adopted by the Viet Minh and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Evolution during the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
From 1945 onward, the red flag with the yellow star served as the national flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), whose government first controlled mainly northern and some central areas of the country. During the First Indochina War against returning French forces, this flag appeared on battlefields, in propaganda posters, and at international events where the DRV sought recognition. Despite limited resources, authorities tried to reproduce the flag consistently so that supporters and foreign observers would clearly identify it with the new republic.
In the mid-1950s, after the Geneva Accords of 1954 and the consolidation of DRV control over the north, officials refined the design of the star. The new version had straighter lines and more clearly defined points, matching geometric drawings issued in official diagrams. Apart from this adjustment, the basic image of a central yellow star on a red field remained the same. When North and South Vietnam were formally reunified in 1976 to create the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the former DRV flag was retained as the national flag for the whole country. This continuity means that, despite small stylistic changes, people in Vietnam and abroad generally see all these versions as the same flag across different political stages.
South Vietnam Flag and Other Vietnamese Flags
South Vietnam flag: yellow background with three red stripes
Alongside the red flag with the yellow star, another major design is strongly associated with Vietnam’s modern history: the South Vietnam flag. This flag features a yellow background with three horizontal red stripes crossing the center. It was used first by the State of Vietnam, established in 1949, and then by the Republic of Vietnam, which governed the southern part of the country until 1975.
The yellow field is often linked to earlier imperial colors in Vietnam, while the three red stripes are commonly interpreted as representing the three main historical regions: north (Tonkin), center (Annam), and south (Cochinchina). Some writers also connect the stripes to traditional East Asian symbolism, including trigrams from classical texts. While interpretations vary, most agree that the flag aimed to present itself as a national symbol for an independent, non-communist Vietnam. After the defeat of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975, this flag ceased to represent any current state, but it continues to have cultural and emotional importance for many people, especially in overseas Vietnamese communities.
Viet Cong and National Liberation Front flag
During the Vietnam War, the National Liberation Front (NLF), commonly known as the Viet Cong, used a different flag. This design is divided horizontally into two equal halves: a red upper half and a blue lower half, with a yellow five-pointed star in the center. The red portion echoes the revolutionary tradition seen in the North Vietnam flag, while the blue half and the overall two-color layout distinguish it from the state flag of the north.
This NLF flag appeared in areas under its influence in the south, on uniforms, banners, and propaganda materials. It signaled support for the front and its goals, which included opposing the Saigon government and seeking unification under a socialist system. While closely related in symbolism to the northern flag, it remained a separate emblem used by the NLF’s political and military structures. After reunification and the dissolution of the NLF, this flag largely disappeared from official public life in Vietnam and is now mainly seen in historical photos, museums, and academic discussions of the war.
North Vietnam versus South Vietnam flag comparison
Because North and South Vietnam used different flags between the mid-1950s and 1975, many people want a clear comparison. In simple design terms, the North Vietnam flag is a red rectangle with a yellow star, while the South Vietnam flag is a yellow rectangle with three horizontal red stripes. These opposite color arrangements can easily cause confusion when viewed without context.
The following table summarizes key differences:
| Aspect | North Vietnam flag | South Vietnam flag |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Red field with centered yellow five-pointed star | Yellow field with three horizontal red stripes across the middle |
| Years of main use | 1945–1976 (as DRV flag; then for unified SRV) | 1949–1975 (State of Vietnam and Republic of Vietnam) |
| Political system | Socialist government led by the Communist Party | Non-communist government allied with Western powers |
| Current status | Now the national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam | No longer a state flag; used as a heritage flag by some overseas communities |
Understanding this comparison helps explain why photos and films from the Vietnam War show different flags in different places. It also clarifies why, today, the red flag with the yellow star appears at the Vietnam embassy, while the yellow flag with three red stripes may appear at certain community events in cities with large Vietnamese diaspora populations.
Overview of Vietnam War flags
During the Vietnam War era, roughly the 1950s to 1975, three main Vietnamese flags were visible on the ground. In the north, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam used the red flag with the yellow star as its state flag. In the south, the State of Vietnam and later the Republic of Vietnam used the yellow flag with three red stripes. In contested and rural areas, the National Liberation Front operated under its own flag, divided into red and blue halves with a central yellow star.
Foreign allies also brought their own national flags into the conflict, but when people speak about “Vietnam war flags,” they usually mean these three Vietnamese designs. Each one expressed a different political project and territorial claim. Recognizing which flag appears in a particular image can provide useful clues about the location, time period, and side involved, without having to read detailed captions or specialist histories.
The Vietnam Flag After Reunification
Adoption for the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam
After the end of major fighting in 1975 and the political processes that followed, North and South Vietnam were formally reunified in 1976. The new entity, called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, adopted the red flag with the yellow star as the national flag for the entire country.
This decision symbolized continuity between the pre-1975 government in the north and the new unified state. It also reflected the victory of the revolutionary forces associated with the Viet Minh and later with North Vietnam. From that point onward, the red flag with the yellow star has been the only national flag of Vietnam. Other flags linked to earlier governments or movements are now regarded as historical symbols or, in some cases, as cultural heritage flags used by specific communities outside Vietnam.
Everyday use and basic flag etiquette in Vietnam
In contemporary Vietnam, the national flag is a visible part of daily life, especially in cities, towns, and public institutions. It is permanently displayed on many government offices, schools, and military facilities. On major national holidays, such as National Day on 2 September, streets and residential areas are often decorated with rows of red flags with yellow stars hung from balconies, shop fronts, and lampposts. During international sports tournaments, supporters wave the flag in stadiums and public viewing areas to show support for Vietnamese teams.
Basic flag etiquette in Vietnam follows common international practices of respect. The flag is kept clean and in good condition; torn or heavily faded flags are usually replaced. It should not touch the ground or water, and when hung vertically, the star must still appear upright, with one point at the top. When flown together with other national flags, the Vietnam flag is normally displayed at equal height and in a position consistent with international protocol, such as alphabetical order by country name. Official regulations provide more detailed rules for state events, but visitors and residents can follow simple principles: treat the flag with care, avoid using it in ways that look disrespectful or purely commercial, and make sure its orientation is correct.
Recent trends, debates, and rooftop flag displays
In recent years, observers have noted new forms of flag display in Vietnam, including large painted or printed flags on the roofs of buildings. These rooftop flags can be seen from above or in aerial images and are sometimes created to celebrate national events, sports successes, or local campaigns. For many participants, such displays are expressions of pride and a desire to stand out visually in a crowded urban landscape.
At the same time, these trends have raised some questions. Commentators and officials have discussed issues such as building safety, the durability of large rooftop installations, and the risk that very large decorative uses might be seen as over-commercialization of a national symbol. In some cases, authorities remind the public that the national flag should be used with dignity and in accordance with regulations, even when enthusiasm is high. These debates illustrate how living symbols like flags continue to evolve in practice, as people find new ways to express identity and support while society negotiates appropriate limits.
South Vietnamese Heritage Flag and the Vietnamese Diaspora
How the South Vietnam flag became a heritage and freedom symbol
When the Republic of Vietnam collapsed in 1975, large numbers of people left the country as refugees, many eventually settling in North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions. These communities often carried with them the symbols of the state they had known, including the yellow flag with three red stripes. Over time, this design took on new meanings beyond its original function as a state flag.
In many diaspora communities, the former South Vietnam flag gradually transformed into a heritage and freedom symbol. It came to represent the experiences of exile, the memory of a lost homeland, and the desire for political freedoms. Community groups began to use it at cultural festivals, memorial events, and public demonstrations, presenting it as a flag for Vietnamese people in exile rather than for a still-existing government. This reinterpretation is social and cultural, grounded in shared memory and identity, and does not imply that the Republic of Vietnam still exists as a state.
Why some Vietnamese abroad do not use the current Vietnam flag
Not all Vietnamese abroad feel comfortable using the current national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. For many who left the country after 1975, especially those who experienced re-education camps, political imprisonment, or abrupt loss of property and status, the red flag with the yellow star is strongly associated with the government they fled. As a result, it can evoke painful memories even decades later.
For these individuals and their families, the yellow flag with three red stripes often carries a different emotional weight. It may symbolize the values they associate with their former homeland, such as certain political ideals, religious freedoms, or social lifestyles. In this context, choosing one flag or another is not simply a design preference but an expression of personal history. Describing these views in a neutral way helps outsiders understand why flag discussions can be sensitive in overseas Vietnamese communities, especially when public institutions or event organizers decide which flag to show.
Official recognition of the heritage flag in other countries
In some countries, local and regional governments have officially recognized the yellow flag with three red stripes as a heritage symbol of their Vietnamese communities. This process has often occurred after advocacy by community organizations that requested the flag be used at city events, on monuments, or in cultural programs to represent Vietnamese residents, especially those from refugee backgrounds.
For example, several cities and states in the United States have passed resolutions referring to this flag as the “Vietnamese American heritage and freedom flag” or similar names. Such recognition generally applies to local government events and does not claim that the flag represents a current state. It also does not change the fact that, in international diplomacy, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam—with its red flag and yellow star—is the only Vietnamese state recognized by other countries and international organizations.
Controversies and political disputes around flag usage
Because different Vietnamese flags are linked to different historical experiences, disputes sometimes arise when deciding which flag to display. This can happen at multicultural festivals, university events, memorial ceremonies, or public institutions that engage with Vietnamese communities or history. If organizers choose one flag without consulting affected groups, they may face protests, petitions, or calls for clarification.
Some controversies involve invitations, posters, or websites that use the current national flag when working mainly with diaspora groups who identify with the heritage flag, or the reverse. Organizers sometimes respond by adjusting their protocols, for example by using one flag for official diplomatic representations and another in community-focused spaces, or by issuing statements explaining their choices. These cases show that flags are not only visual markers but also carriers of deep personal and collective memories. Understanding the background of each Vietnamese flag can help reduce misunderstandings and support more informed, respectful decisions.
Vietnam Flag in International and Regional Context
Use of the Vietnam flag in diplomacy, sports, and ASEAN
On the international stage, the Vietnam flag represents the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in diplomacy, regional cooperation, and global events. At embassies and consulates around the world, the red flag with the yellow star flies above buildings and appears on official signage and publications. During state visits, joint press conferences, and treaty signings, it is displayed alongside the flags of other countries to mark Vietnam’s status as a sovereign state.
The same flag appears at international organizations such as the United Nations, where it is part of the row of member-state flags outside headquarters, and at regional gatherings like ASEAN summits and ministerial meetings. In sports, whether at the Olympic Games or football tournaments, Vietnamese athletes compete under this flag, and it is raised during medal ceremonies when they win. In these settings, only the current national flag is used; historical or heritage flags are not part of official diplomatic or sporting protocol, even if they continue to be meaningful symbols within certain communities abroad.
Vietnam’s view of foreign use of the former South Vietnam flag
The government of Vietnam generally objects when foreign public authorities use the former South Vietnam flag in official contexts. From its perspective, the red flag with the yellow star is the sole flag of the recognized Vietnamese state, and other designs linked to past regimes should not be used by foreign governments to represent Vietnam. When such situations arise, Vietnam may express its position through diplomatic notes, public statements, or discussions with the relevant authorities.
At the same time, laws about flag display vary from country to country. In many places, local rules allow private groups to use a wide range of symbols, as long as they do not violate public order or other specific regulations. This means that some overseas Vietnamese communities can legally display the former South Vietnam flag at cultural events or community centers, while foreign governments continue to use the current national flag in their official dealings with Vietnam. Anyone planning an event that involves Vietnamese flags in a formal setting should therefore consider both local legal requirements and potential diplomatic sensitivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Vietnam flag represent and what do its colors mean?
The Vietnam flag represents the unity and struggle of the Vietnamese people. The red background stands for revolution, blood, and sacrifice in the fight for independence. The yellow five-pointed star symbolizes Vietnam and its people, with each point often said to represent workers, farmers, soldiers, intellectuals, and youth or small traders. Together, the design expresses national unity under a socialist system.
What is the official national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam?
The official national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a red rectangle with a single yellow five-pointed star in the center. Its aspect ratio is 2:3, meaning the width is one and a half times the height. This design was first adopted in 1945 by the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and confirmed for the unified state in 1976. It is the only flag used by the Vietnamese government in international diplomacy.
What was the South Vietnam flag and how is it different from today’s Vietnam flag?
The South Vietnam flag was a yellow field with three horizontal red stripes across the middle. It was used by the State of Vietnam and later the Republic of Vietnam from 1949 until 1975. Unlike the current red flag with a yellow star used by the socialist state, the South Vietnam flag was associated with a non-communist government supported by Western allies. Today it survives mainly as a heritage symbol in diaspora communities.
Which flag was used by North and South Vietnam during the Vietnam War?
During the Vietnam War, North Vietnam used the red flag with a yellow five-pointed star, which is now the national flag of unified Vietnam. South Vietnam used the yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes as its state flag. The National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) also used a separate flag divided red over blue with a yellow star in the center. These different flags reflected competing governments and political systems during the conflict.
Why do many Vietnamese overseas still use the yellow flag with three red stripes?
Many Vietnamese overseas use the yellow flag with three red stripes as a symbol of heritage, freedom, and memory of the former Republic of Vietnam. For first-generation refugees, it often represents loss of homeland and opposition to the post-1975 communist government. Over time, many communities have redefined it as a cultural and ethnic symbol rather than the flag of an existing state. This is why some local governments abroad officially recognize it as the Vietnamese heritage flag.
What are the official colors and ratio of the Vietnam flag?
The official ratio of the Vietnam flag is 2:3, so the width is 1.5 times the height. Standard color specifications often use a bright red field close to Pantone 1788 (RGB 218, 37, 29; Hex #DA251D) and a yellow star close to Pantone Yellow (RGB 255, 255, 0; Hex #FFFF00). Vietnamese law does not rigidly fix these codes, but they are commonly used in printing and digital design. Small shade variations are accepted as long as the red field and yellow star are clearly shown.
Is it legal to display the South Vietnam flag in other countries?
In many countries it is generally legal for private individuals and groups to display the South Vietnam flag, subject to local laws on public order and hate symbols. Some cities and states, especially in the United States, have officially recognized it as the heritage flag of Vietnamese communities. However, the government of Vietnam opposes using this former state flag in official foreign commemorations. Anyone planning to use it in formal events should check local regulations and diplomatic sensitivities.
How should the Vietnam flag be displayed and handled respectfully?
The Vietnam flag should be displayed clean, undamaged, and with the star upright, not touching the ground or water. It is usually raised in a dignified manner, often with the national anthem, and lowered at the end of the day or ceremony. When shown with other national flags, it should follow international protocol, such as equal height and correct order. Vietnamese regulations discourage using the flag in ways seen as commercial, disrespectful, or playful.
Conclusion: Understanding the Vietnam Flag in History and Today
Key takeaways about Vietnam’s national and historical flags
The national flag of Vietnam is a red rectangle with a central yellow five-pointed star, used by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in all official settings at home and abroad. Its red field symbolizes revolution and sacrifice, while the yellow star stands for the Vietnamese people, with its five points often interpreted as major social groups united in building the nation. The design has remained broadly consistent from its early use by the Viet Minh through the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to the present unified state.
Other Vietnamese flags also occupy important places in history and memory. The yellow flag with three red stripes served as the state flag of South Vietnam from 1949 to 1975 and now functions mainly as a heritage symbol in many overseas communities. The National Liberation Front’s red-and-blue flag with a yellow star marked another side in the Vietnam War. Understanding these different flags, and the contexts in which they were used, helps explain why images of Vietnam across time and space can show such different symbols for the same country.
How to continue learning about Vietnamese history and symbols
Flags offer a concise entry point into Vietnam’s complex modern history, but they are only one part of a larger picture. Readers who wish to deepen their understanding can explore detailed histories of the Vietnam War, the earlier struggle against colonial rule, and the political development of North and South Vietnam. Biographies of key figures involved in independence movements and state-building can also shed light on how symbols like flags were created and promoted.
Comparing the Vietnam flag with the flags of other ASEAN countries can highlight regional patterns and differences in color choice, symbolism, and historical influences. Visits to museums, monuments, and memorial sites inside Vietnam and in countries with large Vietnamese communities can provide further insight into how flags are experienced in everyday life. Engaging respectfully with people from different Vietnamese backgrounds—both in Vietnam and in the diaspora—can help reveal the many personal stories that stand behind these simple but powerful designs.
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