Perceptions on collective national identities: Reflections on the Unity of Vietnam in 2016

Abstract The past of Vietnam is full of conflict and colonialism. Before the reunification that took place in 1975-1976 the country was divided in two parts. The reunification meant a drastic change especially to the South that had been for long time under the influence of France and then the United States. Having the turbulent history of the country in the background, this thesis attempts to develop an understanding on the current state of unity of the society through analytical lens of collective national identity. This lens is used for analysis of eleven interviews of young Vietnamese adults in the city of Da Nang. There are six main claims made regarding the unity of the society in Vietnam. First claim is that the Communist Party of Vietnam appears to have a strong authority over the definition of Vietnamese national identity. Second claim is that there are great differences in the internalizations of Vietnamese national identity between people. Thirdly, the claim is that collective goals of territorial preservation and economic growth are two significant unifying factors in the society of Vietnam. Fourthly, another important unifying factor in the Vietnamese national identity is them being proud of their past. Fifthly, there appears to be slow transformation happening in the society of Vietnam. Finally, differences in Southern and Northern Vietnamese national identities seem to exist to some extent but that does not bear any significance in the context of unity in Vietnam. There are other elements that make greater divisions in the society