French's control over Vietnam affected all aspects of the life of the Vietnamese. The most visible impact was witnessed in the field of economy and defence. However, culture too was deeply impacted.
The French established control over the education system of Vietnam to consolidate its control.
(i) Economic: For French, colonies were necessary to provide natural resources and other goods. The Vietnamese economy was based on rice cultivation and rubber plantation to meet the French needs. Labours were hired on contracts, gradually landlordism became well entrenched and standard of living declined. To suit the French requirements, for easy transportation of goods, massive infrastructure projects, rail networks were established.
(ii) Religion: The French, in order to consolidate its control and authority, wanted to exercise cultural and social domination and influence. One such way was to introduce Christianity in Vietnam, establish Christian Missionaries and encourage conversions.
(iii) Education: The French, in order to civilize the natives, introduced modern education and dismantled the traditional education system in Vietnam. They followed the policy of discrimination against the Vietnamese students, of deliberately failing students. The education system glorified French rule.
(iv) Health and Hygiene: French tried to create modern Vietnam with modern architecture and engineering skills to build a modern city in Hanoi but the native quarter was not provided with modern facilities.
(v) Political: France had taken control over Tonkin and Annam for the purpose of controlling the colony and to halt British desire to expand southwards from China. France prevented Vietnamese from qualifying for white collar jobs which resulted in resistance
