Early North Vietnamese Flag

FG-027 – Early North Vietnamese Flag with Appliquéd Yellow Star

Full view of North Vietnamese flag with yellow star — Full view of North Vietnamese flag with yellow appliquéd star. Approx. 80x125 cm.

Flag ID: FG-027

Material and Construction

The flag is made from red cotton-based fabric with a hand-appliquéd yellow five-pointed star at the center. The stitching is uneven, with visible manual feed and irregular thread tension, indicative of small-scale or non-industrial sewing. The yellow star shows signs of original dye having faded significantly, likely due to UV exposure or washing. There are no fittings, reinforcements, or visible stamps. Notably, the star appears fully yellow on the front side, while on the reverse, the stitching outline creates a visible red border around the shape — a typical result of reverse side exposure and seam definition from appliqué work.

Side-by-Side Star Comparison

Star front side — Front side of the star — flat yellow color with aged tone and minimal seam visibility.

Star reverse side — Reverse side of the same star — stitching outlines the shape with red bleed-through from main field.

Dimensions and Form

The flag measures approximately 80 by 125 cm, corresponding to a proportion of roughly 2:3. The star is centrally positioned, though imperfectly aligned, and the edges of the fabric show no standardized finishing. The left edge features a simple tunnel hem, suggesting it may have been hoisted on a pole or cord.

Dating and Origin

The flag was reportedly brought back from Vietnam by a returning soldier after the war. However, no direct provenance or documentation confirms this. Based on construction, materials, and stylistic features, the flag is consistent with North Vietnamese (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) locally-made banners from the early to mid Vietnam War period (ca. 1955–1965). The cotton fabric, manual sewing, and absence of factory markers support this assessment. A realistic estimate for its production would be between 1958 and 1964, at the height of rural propaganda efforts and local textile improvisation.

North Vietnam: Symbolism and Context

The red field with a yellow five-pointed star was adopted by the Viet Minh in 1945 and became the official flag of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) from 1954 onward. The star symbolizes the unity of workers, peasants, soldiers, intellectuals, and youth. During the Vietnam War, flags were often produced locally for propaganda, education, and administrative use in villages and schools. This example fits that tradition and likely served a civilian or symbolic purpose rather than military field deployment.

Comparative Rarity and Historical Context

Compared to other Vietnam War-era flags, FG-027 stands out for both its construction and its likely path of acquisition. Whereas South Vietnamese (Republic of Vietnam) flags were widely manufactured in cooperation with allied nations and brought back in large numbers by US and allied troops, flags from North Vietnam are rarely found in Western collections. DRV flags were not mass-produced for export or official gifting, and few non-captured examples survive. FG-027, with its hand-appliquéd star, unmarked fabric, and full construction, represents a rare surviving example of localized North Vietnamese symbolism. Its likely civilian origin and non-military context make it especially uncommon among war souvenirs.