Annam

Annam, historic region of Southeast Asia, comprising most of central Vietnam between the historic regions of Cochin China and Tonkin. Some confusion exists about the use of the term Annam. The name (meaning “pacified south”) comes from an ancient Chinese name for Vietnam. France revived the term in the 19th century to designate central Vietnam. In the 1880s France established a protectorate over the region. Annam, along with Cochin China in southern Vietnam, Tonkin in northern Vietnam, and eventually Laos and Cambodia, was part of the French-ruled Indochinese Union, popularly called French Indochina, until the end of World War II (1939-1945).