THE FLAG of the Republic of [South] Vietnam (Flickr/John Sonderman).

The question of which day to celebrate the independence of the former Republic of Vietnam consumed hours of argument on Wednesday. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen and Councilmember Amy Phan West tangled – sometimes very angrily – over the details of the date and year of independence.

The mayor said, “I can’t accept inaccurate information.” He advocated for Oct. 26, 1955, while West wanted Feb. 7, 1950 as the day. West insisted that Feb. 7, 1950 was the proper day, based on her claim that that’s the date the U.S. government recognized Vietnam as a nation.

The history of Vietnam’s status is complicated. What is now Vietnam was part of French Indochina from 1887 along with Cambodia and Laos.

Most historians accept the 1955 date because that’s when France agreed to withdraw its troops and end the colonial status of the former Indochinese states to become independent nations.

Finally, the council voted 5-0 to approve a resolution to recognize the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam and declare an annual day of “reaffirmation,” but without naming a specific date. A determination of which day to be designated by the council would come later.

Also approved 5-0 was a request to hang those flags on light poles along Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia Street and Brookhurst Street; Magnolia Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard and on Brookhurst Street between McFadden Avenue and Westminster Boulevard.

The flags would be displayed annually for one week prior and one week after the Lunar New Year and Black April.
The next meeting of the council is set for Wednesday, Jan. 24.