1957

In 1957, Vietnam witnessed the division of the country and the independent development of culture and art in both the North and the South. Northern art served the socialist construction effort, while Southern art was influenced by Western culture and internal political tensions. The artworks produced during this year not only deeply reflected the historical and cultural context of the time but also laid the foundation for the development of Vietnamese art in the following decades.

1. Historical Context of Vietnam in 1957

In 1957, Vietnam was in a period of great upheaval and division following the Geneva Agreement (1954), which split the country into two regions: the North, led by the Vietnam Workers’ Party and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam government, and the South, under the control of the Republic of Vietnam, headed by Ngô Đình Diệm.

After the Geneva Agreement, the North focused on building socialism and reconstruction after the war. The Democratic Republic of Vietnam government began implementing socialist economic plans, nationalizing assets, organizing agricultural cooperatives, and developing industry. At the same time, the Northern government also worked on developing education, healthcare, and promoting revolutionary cultural and artistic movements.

In contrast, Ngô Đình Diệm’s regime in the South, supported by the United States, sought to establish an anti-communist state. The political situation in the South was tense, with the repression of communist forces and nationalist movements. Ngô Đình Diệm’s government pursued a dictatorship and opposed national reunification, leading to deep social divisions in the South.

Globally, this was the height of the Cold War, with a standoff between the socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union and the capitalist bloc headed by the United States. Vietnam, caught between these two superpowers, became a battleground for their indirect confrontation.

2. Cultural Context of Vietnam in 1957

In Northern Vietnam in 1957, culture developed strongly under the leadership of the Vietnam Workers’ Party. Literature and the arts were encouraged to serve the revolution and the construction of a new society. Art was directed to embody the revolutionary spirit, reflecting labor, reconstruction, and efforts to build socialism. Many literary and artistic movements focused on praising the nation-building efforts and promoting socialist ideology.

In the South, culture began to show clear divisions. On one hand, there were artistic works influenced by Western culture, primarily from the U.S. and France, which embraced liberal and individualist tendencies. On the other hand, nationalist cultural movements and the works of intellectuals who opposed Ngô Đình Diệm’s government continued to thrive.

3. The Impact of Vietnam’s History and Culture in 1957 on Art

3.1. Immediate Impact (1957)

The creation of literary and artistic works in 1957 primarily served the goals of revolution and socialist construction. Art was viewed as a tool for propaganda to boost revolutionary spirit and support the national reconstruction efforts. Artists in the North often had to adhere to political directives, creating works aligned with socialist ideology.

In the South, under Ngô Đình Diệm’s government, artists had relatively more freedom in their creative expression. Many Southern artists were influenced by Western culture, producing works with a more personal touch, but they still faced strict censorship, especially for works that criticized society or reflected the political injustices of the time.

3.2. Long-term Impact (Future)

The artistic works of 1957 in the North played a crucial role in guiding art to serve the revolution. Artworks about labor, revolutionary struggle, and national spirit continued to be the main artistic trend in the North until the country’s reunification in 1975.

In the South, despite political censorship, the artistic freedom of 1957 opened up creative spaces for artists in a volatile society. Later, Southern art, particularly in music and literature, became a source of inspiration for many post-war works, reflecting deeper insights into society and humanity during wartime.

4. Notable Artistic Works of 1957

4.1. Literature

“Vợ chồng A Phủ” (A Phủ and His Wife) by Tô Hoài is one of the most prominent works focusing on the highlands and ethnic minorities. It reflects the harsh life of the H’Mông people under feudal and colonial rule, as well as the rise of revolutionary spirit. The work sparked inspiration in revolutionary literature and is highly regarded for its realistic value.

“Đất nước đứng lên” (The Country Stands Up) by Nguyên Ngọc is a novel that describes the struggle of the Central Highlands people against French colonialists. This work helped affirm the style of revolutionary realism in Northern literature during this period.

4.2. Music

“Tiến về Hà Nội” (March to Hanoi) by Văn Cao (composed in 1949, popularized in 1957) is a heroic anthem celebrating the victory of the Vietnam People’s Army and rallying the fighting spirit. Although composed earlier, the song gained widespread popularity and became a symbol of triumph in 1957.

“Người Hà Nội” (The People of Hanoi) by Nguyễn Đình Thi is a song praising the resilient, unyielding spirit of the people of Hanoi during the resistance against French colonialists. It was performed widely in revolutionary propaganda performances during this period.

4.3. Painting

In 1957, Nguyễn Tư Nghiêm continued to stand out with works that combined traditional fine arts and modern styles. He became known for his lacquer paintings, in which he introduced innovative techniques to this art form.

Though he passed away in 1954, the influence of Tô Ngọc Vân remained strong in 1957. His realistic painting style, expressing patriotism and the desire for independence, continued to inspire artists.

4.4. Film

The film “Chung một dòng sông” (Together on the Same River), directed by Nguyễn Hồng Nghi and Phạm Kỳ Nam, was one of the first revolutionary films produced after the war. It depicted the division of the country and the suffering of people on both sides of the river. Released in 1957, the film made a significant impact, particularly in portraying the nation’s situation at that time.