FRENCH COLONIALISTS’ TRICKS TO USE THE RAILWAY LINE OF KUNMING – LAO CAI – HA NOI – HAI PHONG

Abstract

The railway line Kunming – Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong is the one which was built by the French Colonialists at the beginning of the 20^th century. Not until 1954 when the French colonialists withdrew from Vietnam, the railway line made great contributions to the exploitation of the Vietnamese colony, which brought back big profits to the French capitalists. In addition to the economic benefits, the railway line had the strategic significance; it was the medium to exchange goods between Vietnam and French concessions in China. Especially, in 1946, in order to be back to Vietnam, the French assigned the railway line to Chiang Kai-shek. This political diplomatic trick put Vietnam in a very difficult situation, requiring President Ho Chi Minh and the Party to have the appropriate diplomatic policy.