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Vietnam's colonial history has many chapters that have influenced the Vietnam of today. Language, ethnic makeup, and traditions were forever changed by long periods of Chinese domination, and the architecture and cuisine you see on the city streets are left over from a decade of French Occupation.
This history may not be spoken about much today, but it is visible in all corners of the country. Soak it in by simply wandering the streets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An, admiring the vibrant yellow colonial buildings that are crumbling with age. Or visit the museums in these cities and learn the details of these periods of outside rule, and the various wars that were their direct result. Stop by the art museums too, and you'll see the influence of the French masters who took young Vietnamese proteges under their wings.
