The History of Annam, the Region That Became Vietnam

Annam is the name of a region in Indochina that was used by French colonizers to refer to the area that is now modern-day Vietnam. The name "Annam" is derived from the Chinese word "安南" (āngrì), which means "peaceful south."

The use of the name "Annam" to refer to the region dates back to the Han Dynasty, when the Chinese Empire extended its borders to include parts of modern-day Vietnam. Over time, the name "Annam" became associated with the entire region that is now Vietnam, and it was used by French colonizers to refer to the area during their rule from the late 19th century until the mid-20th century.

Today, the name "Annam" is still used in some historical and cultural contexts to refer to the region, but it has largely been replaced by the name "Vietnam" as the preferred term for the country.