Language and Script
Throughout the years,
these languages have been enriched in terms of vocabulary, precision, and
expression. However, the Viet language is most commonly used.
In terms of script,
for a long time under northern domination, han
(Chinese) was widely used in trade, education and state documents. This lasted
until the beginning of 20th century. During the eighth century, parallel to the
use of han, the Vietnamese created
the nom script, which used the
pictography of han to note the sounds
of the Viet language. The appearance of the nom script marked a point of maturity in the national conscious of
the Viet, and led to the development of literature in Vietnam.
In the 16th century, quoc ngu (a Romanized script produced by
French missionaries) appeared and was substituted for both the han and nom scripts.