Vietnam's Single National Flag: Red Field, Yellow Star

Vietnam has one official national flag: a red field with a large yellow five-pointed star centered. Adopted November 30, 1955 (North Vietnam), retained after reunification July 2, 1976.

Design & Symbolism

• Red: Revolution, blood shed for independence
• Yellow Star: Five points = unity of intellectuals, farmers, workers, merchants, soldiers
• Ratio: 2:3 (height:width)
• Construction: Star inscribed in circle radius = 1/5 flag height; center at flag center

Why the "Two Flags" Misconception?

1. South Vietnam (1955-1975): Republic of Vietnam used yellow field with three red horizontal stripes (representing North/Central/South regions). Ceased to exist April 30, 1975. Still used by some diaspora communities.
2. Viet Cong / PRG Flag (1969-1976): Provisional Revolutionary Government — red over light blue horizontal bicolor with yellow star. Merged into national flag at reunification.
3. Party vs. State: Communist Party of Vietnam flag (red with yellow hammer/sickle) sometimes confused with national flag.
4. Historical Flags: Nguyễn Dynasty (yellow/red), French Indochina (tricolor), Empire of Vietnam (1945, yellow/red) — all defunct.

Legal Status

Constitution of Vietnam (2013, Art. 141): "The national flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is rectangular, red background, five-pointed yellow star in the center." Law on National Flag (2014) regulates display, size, protocol. Desecration criminalized.

Usage Context

• Government buildings, schools, diplomatic missions: Daily
• National holidays (Sep 2 Independence, Apr 30 Reunification): Universal display
• International: UN, ASEAN, bilateral visits
• Civilian: Encouraged on holidays; commercial use regulated

Bottom Line: One legal national flag. Historical South Vietnam and PRG flags exist in memory/diaspora but have no official status. The red star on red is Vietnam's sole sovereign symbol.