Why do many Vietnamese people speak French?

Answer 1

In the later part of the 19th century, Vietnam was a French colony. France, like all colonial powers, forced its language on the Vietnamese people, and ties to France remain to this day. This is the same reason people in Argentina speak Spanish, or people in the US speak English--in these countries, the native languages just never managed to keep any sort of foothold. Former French colonies have a tendency for the people to speak French as a secondary rather than primary languages, since they mostly kept French in only governmental capacities.

Answer 2

Many Vietnamese people speak French because Vietnam was a former French colony, leading to the adoption of French as a language of administration, education, and culture during the colonial period. Additionally, French continued to be spoken and taught in Vietnam after independence due to historical ties, globalization, and economic opportunities in French-speaking countries.