Vietnam Medals - O-03 Independence Order

The Independence Order is the third highest order of the SRV. It is awarded to individuals, collectives and foreigners. (if anyone has a recipient list or info on the number of awards, please let me know at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com)

It was established in 1947 as part of the inital three awards of the DRV, and was maintained with the SRV. Formalizing the regulations for all SRV awards was done in 2003. Redesign for all SRV awards was done in 2006. Another redesign for all SRV awards was done in 2014. (see regulation extracts here)

3/A	PRIMARY DESIGN
	three classes - distinguished by ribbon device stars - established 6 June 1947; revised 26 November 2003; guidelines 30 September 2005;
	For:	collectives and individuals for special distinguished services in founding or saving the state;
	Design:	round breast badge, golden bronze, 33mm across, with suspension ribbon;
		Obverse:	around the top edge the inscription "CỘNG HÒA XÃ HỘI CHỦ NGHĨA VIỆT NAM" (Socialist Republic of Vietnam) and in the center on a blue enamel background, at top a gold star on a disc, in the center white enamel with the inscription "ĐỘC LẬP" (Independence) in red, and at the bottom on both sides, three red flags with yellow stars, and two branches, one of oak and the other of laurel, and at the top of the medal an ornamental knob for the ribbon link;
		Reverse:	plain;
		Suspension:	banner (?) above with 2-balls on each side and eyelet above, with ribbon ring to pentagonal frame (presumably initially full pentagonal metal plate, and later lower bar with upper pinback);
	Ribbon:	25mm - red with two white stripes 2mm placed 2mm from each edge; pentagonal;
	Device:	stars indicating award class

3/A/1	First Class - Device: three small gold stars;
3/A/2	Second Class - Device: two small gold stars;
3/A/3	Third Class - Device: one small gold star;

The order was designed by artist Bùi Trang Chước.

independence order obv independence order rev
(standard ribbon)

independence order obv independence order rev
(possibly earlier ribbon type)

Official issue with a case

Type reportedly of 1984 - 1992 (aluminum):

There are several die variations. Sizes vary 32-34mm. Often found with repaired coloring, and missing/incorrect/painted ribbons. Some seen so far :

Die 1: Wide top banner (8.6mm), right branch middle berry high		Die 2: Wide top banner (8.8mm), no right branch middle berry, finer lettering, domed
33.7mm bronze	33.7mm bronze	33.8mm bronze

Die 3: Thinner top banner (7.3mm), right branch middle berry centered, many with identical die cracks .
32.1mm bronze	32.1mm bronze	33.0mm bronze

Die 4: short letters ĐỘC LẬP	Die 5: top banner flat, thin letters ĐỘC LẬP	Die 6: top banner different, short letters ĐỘC LẬP (especially P), on thin bar	Die 7: top banner different
33.6mm white metal ?	34.2mm Aluminium

Die 8: no right branch middle berry, with larger dots on side of banner

Certificate:

Independence Order Certificate

(320mm x 420mm)

3/B	DESIGN OF 2006
	three classes - distinguished by ribbon device stars - redesigned 19 May 2006; revised 16 November 2013; guidelines 30 September 2005, 15 April 2010;
	For:	collectives and individuals for special distinguished services in founding or saving the state;
	Design:	round breast badge, gilt, 38mm across, with suspension ribbon;
		Obverse:	in the center a blue background, at top a gold star on a red disc, at the bottom on both sides, three red flags with a branch outside, inscription above red letters "HUÂN CHƯƠNG ĐỘC LẬP" (Independence Order) and below gold letters on a red ribbon "VIỆT NAM", all coated on the face in clear laquer;
		Reverse:	plain; or checkered pattern with manufacturer name "C. TY. CƠ KHÍ 17" and local phone number "04.3884 3323";
		Suspension:	5 circles at top the middle one with eyelet, and ribbon ring to golden pentagonal plate with pin-back;
	Ribbon:	28mm - red with two 2.5mm white bands 1mm apart placed 5mm from each edge; pentagonal;
	Device::	stars indicating award class.

3/B/1	First Class - Device: three small gold stars;
3/B/2	Second Class - Device: two small gold stars;
3/B/3	Third Class - Device: one small gold star;

(earlier version with plain reverse)

independence order 2006
(later version with checkered reverse, and maker information)

3/C	DESIGN OF 2014
	one class - redesigned 10 September 2014 and 20 July 2018; guildelines 31 July 2017
	For:	collectives and individuals for special distinguished services in founding or saving the state;
	Design:	round breast badge, gilt, 38mm across, with suspension ribbon;
		Obverse:	in the center a blue background, at top a gold star on a red disc, at the bottom on both sides, three red flags with a branch outside, inscription above red letters "HUÂN CHƯƠNG ĐỘC LẬP" (Independence Order) and below gold letters on a red ribbon "VIỆT NAM", all coated on the face in clear laquer;
		Reverse:	checkered pattern with manufacturer name "C. TY. CƠ KHÍ 17" and local phone number "04.3884 3323";
		Suspension:	lotus with center eyelet at top, and ribbon ring to golden pentagonal plate with pin-back;
	Ribbon:	28mm - red with two 2.5mm yellow bands 1mm apart placed 5mm from each edge; pentagonal;
	Device::	stars indicating award class.

3/C/1	First Class - Device: three small gold stars;
3/C/2	Second Class - Device: two small gold stars;
3/C/3	Third Class - Device: one small gold star;

3/D	EARLY DESIGN (1947)
	three classes - distinguished by ribbon device stars - established 6 June 1947;
	For:	collectives and individuals for special distinguished services in founding or saving the state;
	Design:	round breast badge, golden bronze, 33mm across, with suspension ribbon;
		Obverse:	around the top edge the inscription "VIỆT-NAM DÂN-CHỦ CỘNG-HÒA" (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and in the center on a blue enamel background, at top a gold star on a disc, in the center white enamel with the inscription "ĐỘC LẬP" (Independence) in red, and at the bottom on both sides, three red flags with yellow stars, and two branches, one of oak and the other of laurel, and at the top of the medal an ornamental knob for the ribbon link;
		Reverse:	plain;
		Suspension:	banner (?) above with 2-balls on each side and eyelet above, with ribbon ring to pentagonal frame suspended from a barette à coulisse;
	Ribbon:	25mm - red with two white bands 2mm placed 2mm from each edge; pentagonal;
	Device:	stars indicating award class

3/D/1	First Class - Device: three small gold stars;
3/D/2	Second Class - Device: two small gold stars;
3/D/3	Third Class - Device: one small gold star;

(WANTED: If you have one like this and want to sell it, please let me know at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com)

(from The Orders and Medals of the Communist Governments of Indochina, Revision II, John Sylvester Jr.)

(example at Moscow museum)
(which museum ?)

Design as identified by the US Army in 1959

The illustration from Orders and Decorations of the SRV by the Vietnam Institute of Orders

References (Please let me know others at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com) :

1	Handbook on Uniforms and Insignia of Sino-Soviet Bloc Ground Forces (Asian Members), Chapter 3 Vietnamese People's Army, Department of the Army Pamphlet 30-55, 1959. [Out of Print]
2	The Orders and Medals of the Communist Governments of Indochina, Revision II, John Sylvester Jr., 1994. (JS94) [Out of Print]
3	Orders and Decorations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Nước Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam), Institute of Orders (Viện Huân Chương). (Does anyone know the date of publication ?)
4	Orders, Decorations and Badges of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, Edward J. Emering, 1997. (EE97) Availalbe at https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764301438/
5	Encyclopedia of the Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Edward John Emering, 2000. (EE00) Available at http://www.themedalhound.com/books/titles.html
6	Orders and Decorations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: An Update, Edward John Emering, 2008. (EE08) Available at http://www.themedalhound.com/books/titles.html
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Articles (Please let me know others at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com) :

1	“Stray Notes on the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Democratic/Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, John Sylvester Jr., 2000.
2	“Addendum to the Stray Notes on the Orders, Decorations, and Medals of the Democratic/Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, John Sylvester Jr., 2003.
3	“The New 2007 Orders and Decorations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, by Emering, Edward J, JOMSA Vol. 62, No. 1 (Jan-Feb 11): 21-28
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Websites (Please let me know others at rdavemail-medals@yahoo.com) :

1	Wikipedia https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huân Chương Độc Lập (Vietnamese)
2	Visual Artist Bui Trang Chuoc who designed the Vietnam’s Coats of arms, and the Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, Independence Order, Labor Order and other Decorations, logos… https://laodongthudo.vn/co-hoa-si-bui-trang-chuoc-nguoi-tao-hinh-quoc-huy-79364.html
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THE ORDERS AND MEDALS OF THE DEMOCRATIC & SOCIALIST REPUBLICS OF VIETNAM