vietnam

n. a country in Southeast Asia, located next to China, Laos, and Cambodia.

n. a country in Southeast Asia, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

“Many tourists visit Vietnam to see the beautiful mountains and busy cities.”

“Vietnam has experienced rapid economic growth over the last few decades, becoming a significant manufacturing hub in the region.”

n. a way to refer to the war that happened in Vietnam during the 1960s and 70s.

n. a metonymic reference to the Vietnam War, particularly common in American historical and political discourse.

“My grandfather served in Vietnam when he was a young man.”

“The political fallout from Vietnam fundamentally altered how the American public viewed military intervention for a generation.”

American English · Informal

n. a long, difficult situation or war that seems impossible to win.

n. a metaphor for a protracted, costly, and ultimately unsuccessful military or political entanglement.

“The company's new project turned into a total Vietnam for the management team.”

“Political analysts warned that the intervention could become another Vietnam, draining resources without achieving any clear strategic objectives.”

Informal · Slang