Trần Văn Lắm facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Trần Văn Lắm
Lắm being interviewed in 1971
2nd President of the Senate of South Vietnam
In office October 1973 – 30 April 1975
Preceded by	Nguyễn Văn Huyền
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Vietnam
In office 1 September 1969 – 11 July 1973
Prime Minister	Trần Thiện Khiêm
Preceded by	Đồng Quang Minh
Succeeded by	Vương Văn Bắc
South Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia
In office 1961–1964
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Nguyễn Văn Hiếu
South Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand
In office 1961–1964
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Nguyễn Văn Hiếu
Personal details
Born	30 July 1913 Chợ Lớn, Saigon, Cochinchina, French Indochina
Died	6 February 2001 (aged 87) Canberra, Australia
Political party	National Social Democratic Front
Other political affiliations	Cần Lao (until 1963)
Spouse	Trương Thị Bảy
Children	9 (3 sons; 6 daughters)
Alma mater	Hanoi Medical University
Signature

Trần Văn Lắm, also known as Charles Trần Văn Lắm (born July 30, 1913 – died February 6, 2001), was an important person in South Vietnam's government. He worked as a diplomat (someone who represents their country to other nations) and a politician (someone who works in government).

He was the Minister of Foreign Affairs for South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. This meant he was in charge of how South Vietnam talked to other countries. He was especially known for his part in the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, which were talks to try and end the war. Before that, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was South Vietnam's Ambassador to both Australia and New Zealand. From 1973 until the Fall of Saigon in 1975, he was the President of the Senate (a part of the government that makes laws) of South Vietnam.

Early Life and Education

Trần Văn Lắm was born in Chợ Lớn, a part of Saigon, which was then in French Indochina. His family was well-off, as his father owned a lot of property.

He went to Hanoi Medical University and studied to become a pharmacist, someone who prepares and sells medicines. He helped start the Vietnam Pharmacists Association and was its first leader. In 1952, he was chosen to be a member of the Saigon City Council, which was the local government for the city.

Journey in Politics

Trần Văn Lắm later moved into the national government. In the 1950s, he was the leader of the Constituent Assembly, a group that helped write the country's first laws. After that, he became the main leader of the biggest group in the Assembly.

In 1961, Ngo Dinh Diem, who was the President of South Vietnam, made him the Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand. Trần Văn Lắm was a polite and skilled diplomat who spoke French and English very well. He stayed in his ambassador role even after President Diem was killed in 1963.

From 1964 to 1967, Mr. Lắm worked in private business as the head of the Vietnam Commercial and Industrial Bank. Then, in 1969, he returned to government and became the Minister of Foreign Affairs for South Vietnam.

Life After the War

When the capital city of Saigon fell in 1975, the war ended. Trần Văn Lắm was allowed to move to Australia, but he had to promise not to be involved in politics anymore.

He and his wife moved to Canberra, Australia, where they opened a coffee shop. Trần Văn Lắm passed away in his home in Canberra on February 6, 2001, at the age of 87.

Images for kids

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  Lắm being interviewed in 1971

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  Trần Văn Lắm's signature