The ÃÂại Viá»Ât Nationalist Party (in , ), often known simply as or ÃÂVQDÃÂ, is a nationalist and anti-communist political party and militant organisation that was active in Vietnam in the 20th century. The party expanded during World War II and advocated 'survival nationalism'. The party later had ties with Nguyá» n VÃÂn Thiá»Âu in South Vietnam. The party continues to be active outside of Vietnam, with the goal of a multi-party democratic government for the country.
The party was founded by Trðáng Tá» Anh, known as "Anh Cả Phðáng" ("Eldest Brother Phðáng") in 1939. Among the original members were several prominent figures in Vietnam's politics, such as Dr. Phan Huy Quát and Dr. Nguyá» n Tôn Hoàn.
During the era of French colonialism under Japanese military occupation, the ÃÂại Viá»Ât engaged in military attacks in an effort to gain independence. Some ÃÂại Viá»Ât members were trained in military academies in southern China run by the Kuomintang (KMT), before the Chinese Communist Revolution. The party was Japanese-leaning when it joined the ÃÂại Viá»Ât National Alliance in 1944. As that alliance fell apart, it joined the KMT-backed Nationalist Parties Front of Vietnam in May 1945.
After the communist-led Viet Minh sought to consolidate power by eliminating rival nationalist parties, many ÃÂại Viá»Ât partisans opted to support the State of Vietnam. After the partition of Vietnam in 1954, the ÃÂại Viá»Ât were banned in the communist North Vietnam. They continued to be active in South Vietnam as an opposition to President Ngô ÃÂình Diá»Âm, although internal divisions had emerged.
Elitism crippled the party, preventing it from forming a broad base of support among the public. According to Edwin M. Moise, the ÃÂại Viá»Ât were compelled to rely extensively on foreign support, which jeopardized their nationalism's legitimacy. As a result, even high-ranking members of the organizations under their authority found it difficult to inspire real devotion. They couldn't rely on the allegiance of the peasants alone; they couldn't even rely on the fidelity of their own army leaders.
Notable members included: