What was the development project undertaken by the French in Vietnam?

French undertook a number of developmental projects in Vietnam. They are:

● French brought the idea of ‘civilizing mission’ and developed modern education. They dismantled the traditional education system and established French schools in Vietnam. They provided western style education and conducted classes in science, hygiene, and French.

● French laid out a system for maintaining health and hygiene in the city of Hanoi. They built a sewer system which led to the creation of a hygienic environment and protected breeding ground for rats.

● They developed a system of irrigation and built canals. And drained lands in the Mekong Delta. They also encouraged rice cultivation.

● They developed infrastructure projects to help transport goods for trade and move military garrisons.

● They also built roads and railway lines. French undertook the Construction of a trans-Indo-China rail network. A second line, linking Vietnam to Siam (as Thailand was then called), via the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh was also built.