Question
Describe the ideas behind the Tonkin Free School. To what extent was it a typical example of colonial ideas in Vietnam?
Solution
The Tonkin Free School was set-up in 1907 to provide a Western-style education. This education included classes in science, hygiene and French. The school approach to what it means to be ‘modern’ is a good example of the thinking prevalent at the time.
(i) The school emphasised that it was not enough only to learn science and Western ideas. The Vietnamese also had to look modern.
(ii) The school encouraged the adoption of Western styles such as having a short haircut. For the Vietnamese this meant a major break with their own identity since they traditionally kept long hair.
