Once considered one of the world’s poorest and most underdeveloped nations, Vietnam has since flourished with major technological and structural advancements in the modern age. This resource compilation is based on our virtual workshop “Centering Southeast Asia: Teaching Modern Vietnam,” which provided educators with a comprehensive introduction to the history and politics of the geographical area.
Geography of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia Central Themes | Asia for Educators
An initiative of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia, Asia for Educators aggregates materials to serve K-12 teachers across disciplines. This specific page outlines major themes about the region of Southeast Asia.
- H.2.6.10 Analyze the contributions of major empires and civilizations of the world. This may include art, literature, and proverbs.
- H.6.WH.3 Analyze the development of social, economic, political, and geographic transformations of regional connections into global trade networks.
- HS.5.G.3 Evaluate societal changes resulting from cultural diffusion and cultural convergence
Teaching and Learning about Southeast Asia | Education About Asia
This short article from the journal Education About Asia highlights themes and questions teachers may want to focus on in teaching about Southeast Asia.
- G.2.5.8 Examine physical and cultural changes regionally over time using primary and secondary sources (e.g., maps, charts, satellite imagery, GIS technologies, beliefs, legends, journals).
- H.2.6.9 Examine key concepts and influences of major belief systems on societies: Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism.
- H.6.WH.3 Analyze the development of social, economic, political, and geographic transformations of regional connections into global trade networks.
Southeast Asia Digital Library | Northern Illinois University
This collection contains a wide variety of materials published and produced in Southeast Asia. There are many interviews, videos, posters, photographs, periodicals, maps, manuscripts, and other archival materials.
- H.2.6.10 Analyze the contributions of major empires and civilizations of the world. This may include art, literature, and proverbs.
- H.2.6.16 Analyze effects of cultural interactions and connections on civilizations over time.
- H.6.WH.3 Analyze the development of social, economic, political, and geographic transformations of regional connections into global trade networks.
Language and Religion: The Diffusion of Islam | GeoInquiries
While Islam is a world religion, this map activity helps students grasp how Islam spread to Southeast Asia and became a major center for the religion.
- G.3.5.4 Research the characteristics of various world regions and cultures: cultural characteristics (e.g., religious beliefs, celebrations, traditions, language, child-rearing, clothing, food, beliefs, behaviors); physical characteristics (e.g., mountains, rivers, deserts, plains, bodies of water)
- H.2.6.16 Analyze effects of cultural interactions and connections on civilizations over time.
Virtual Angkor
The Virtual Angkor project is a virtual reality project that seeks to recreate the Cambodian metropolis of Angkor at the height of the Khmer Empire’s power and influence around 1300 C.E. The project includes three teaching modules that combine images and video from the project with readings and questions: Power & Place, Water & Climate, and Trade & Diplomacy.
- C.1.6.2 Compare the structure of leadership/government and functions of civilizations in different times and places (e.g., patriarchal, matriarchal, tribal, city-state, national).
- E.1.6.4 Analyze ways human, natural, and capital resources were organized to produce and deliver goods and services in early civilizations (e.g., caravans, public works projects, Silk Road, trade routes).
- G.2.5.4 Research how environmental characteristics have impacted the culture of states, places, and regions over time. This may include seafaring/trading in coastal communities, farming cultures in river valleys, and nomadic cultures in arid climates.
Southeast Asia in the Age of Imperialism
Early European Exploration | Esri GeoInquiries
In this lesson plan, students compare and contrast Spain’s and Portugal’s early sea explorations to reach Asia using maps.
- H.6.WH.15 Analyze the causes and effects of European imperialism and new patterns of colonization in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 19th century, including the impact of advancements in medicine, weaponry, and technology
- H.6.WH.2 Analyze the motivations that led to the exploration and the expansion of empires: Belief systems, Economic, Political, Social.
- H.6.WH.3 Analyze the development of social, economic, political, and geographic transformations of regional connections into global trade networks.
In Our Time: The Dutch East India Company | BBC
This podcast episode on the Dutch East India Company may be useful for understanding Dutch Southeast Asia. Other episodes of interest may be the East India Company (England) and Angkor Wat.
- H.6.WH.15 Analyze the causes and effects of European imperialism and new patterns of colonization in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 19th century, including the impact of advancements in medicine, weaponry, and technology
- H.6.WH.2 Analyze the motivations that led to the exploration and the expansion of empires: Belief systems, Economic, Political, Social.
- H.6.WH.3 Analyze the development of social, economic, political, and geographic transformations of regional connections into global trade networks.
The Amboyna Conspiracy Trial
This website provides an in-depth look at the 1623 Amboyna Conspiracy Trial, which took place on the island Ambon (or Amboyna), part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. This was the site of a colonial struggle between Dutch and English merchants involved in the spice trade. The website includes videos of expert opinion, primary sources, and a teaching guide.
- H.6.WH.15 Analyze the causes and effects of European imperialism and new patterns of colonization in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 19th century, including the impact of advancements in medicine, weaponry, and technology
- H.6.WH.2 Analyze the motivations that led to the exploration and the expansion of empires: Belief systems, Economic, Political, Social.
- H.6.WH.4 Analyze the social, economic, political, and geographic effects of the expansion of empires in the eastern and western hemispheres from 1450-1770.
Maritime Asia: War and Trade
This digital world history project explores the fierce rivalry between the Dutch East India Company and the Zheng maritime network as they fought for control over key trades and sea routes in Northeast and Southeast Asia. The project includes digital exhibits, a timeline, biographies of key actors, an archive with primary sources, and an annotated bibliography for further exploration. It also features a classroom simulation exercise, “Pirates, States, and Diplomacy in a Multipolar Maritime Asia” for advanced high school and college students.
- H.6.WH.15 Analyze the causes and effects of European imperialism and new patterns of colonization in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 19th century, including the impact of advancements in medicine, weaponry, and technology
- H.6.WH.2 Analyze the motivations that led to the exploration and the expansion of empires: Belief systems, Economic, Political, Social.
- H.6.WH.4 Analyze the social, economic, political, and geographic effects of the expansion of empires in the eastern and western hemispheres from 1450-1770.
Letters and Documents of Ho Chi Minh’s Corresponsence
- Letter from Ho Chi Minh to Secretary of State Robert Lansing
- Additional Letters and Documents of Correspondence
- An Open Letter to M. Albert Sarraut, Minister of Colonies
- Ho Chi Minh’s Letter to President Truma in September 1945
- Letter from Ho Chi Minh to President Harry Truman January 1946
- Letter from Ho Chi Minh to President Harry Truman February 1946
- Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh and the US/OSS During World War II
A short history of the collaboration between the CIA/OSS & Ho Chi Minh from 1944-1945.
