Annam

/əˈnɑːm/ noun

Definition

A historical region in Southeast Asia, now part of Vietnam, which was an independent kingdom and later a French colony.

Etymology

From Vietnamese 'An Nam' meaning 'the peaceful south,' referring to the southern region of what is now Vietnam. Used in English primarily for the colonial and pre-colonial period.

Kelly Says

Annam was simultaneously called 'French Indochina' by colonizers and 'An Nam' by its people—the same place had completely different names depending on who you asked!

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