WHAT IS VIETNAM ?

Vietnam's people are genuinely exceptional in many respects. You just have to observe their culture, their history, their strength, their compassion, their intelligence, their behavior towards fellow humans, their warm-hearted feelings and their passion to excellence.

This is not a trivial thing to consider. We are talking about a people who may appear impoverished and weak, to some, but those who know Vietnamese people; know well that their state of poverty is not because of their laziness but due to lack of adequate opportunities so far.

For many Vietnam still evokes images of third-world hunger, war-torn cities and emaciated refugees. The refugees which were taken by almost all South Eastern Asian nations, Australia, the USA, Canada, France and some parts of Europe. The refugees of Vietnam - have shown in last 2 decades that they are no ordinary people. They have progressed at a lightening speed, wherever they have been given equal opportunities.

They have worked harder than any of their neighbors and today there are 2nd generation Vietnamese Children who excel in almost any field of education and workplace. The spirit and courage they have shown is extremely incredible.

Until few years ago, the world used to reject Vietnam as a disaster, extremely poor, socialistic economy, depending on Russians and the Socialist Bloc. In coming few years, the world will see Vietnam as a most exciting example of success in all fields. Vietnam's true wealth is its extremely hard working youthful population ready to work hard.

Vietnam is a unique nation among most Southeast Asian countries influenced greatly by two of the greatest ancient civilizations of the world - India and China. If they enjoy chewing betel nut like Indians, they cook fried rice like Chinese.

From 300 BC till 600 AD, the southern part of Vietnam was part of Indian influenced Kingdom of Funan - known for its highly refined art and architecture. The port city of Funan was Oc-Eo what is known as Kien Giang Province now.

There is sufficient archaeological evidence of contact between Funan and India, China, Indonesia (Java, Sumatra) and Mediterranean. In the mid-6th century, Funan was invaded and annexed by kingdom of Chenla ( possibly in today's Cambodia).

The Hindu kingdom of Champa appeared around present day Danang in the late 2nd century. Chams, the citizens of Champa, employed Sanskrit as a sacred language (the contemporary language of education of India in that time) and borrowed a great deal from Hindu Art and architecture.

By 8th century, Champa had expanded to what is now - Nha Trang and Phan Rang. In that period the people of this southern area - constantly fought with Northern Vietnamese (Ha noi) and in the west with Khmers.

Chinese entered the RED River delta in the 2nd century BC - through settlers, officials and scholars who took large tracts of land. The Chinese tried to impose a centralized state system (even in that time the Imperialistic China was more like today's Communist China of Beijing - authoritarian and intimidating but still interested in business) - on the Vietnam's people. Vietnam resisted the "Sinification" of their culture.

According to history books Chinese of that time didn't inflict extremely harsh cruelties on the natives like many European Colonialists, they were not essentially colonialists as such but more like invaders - who wanted to settle down and share their knowledge. (All colonialists start by sharing their knowledge) At that time only China and India were technological powers.

The most famous act of resistance against the Chinese was the rebellion of the Trung sisters (Hai Ba Trung). In the year 40 AD, the Chinese executed a feudal lord. His widow and her sister, the Trung sisters, called all tribal chieftains and lords, raised a big army and led a revolt that compelled the Chinese Governor to flee.

The sisters after the victory, proclaimed themselves the queens of the newly independent state however in 43 AD, Chinese returned with ferocious attack and defeated the Vietnamese. The Trung sisters threw themselves into the Hat Giang River but didn't surrender to Chinese.

In spite of the constant resistance by Vietnamese - Chinese were successful in influencing the people a great deal. They taught the natives their technology of metal plough, animal husbandry and the construction of irrigation works. From this fusion of China and Vietnam - evolved the Rice Culture which still remains the basis of the Vietnamese way of life.

In that period - Vietnamese ports were key ports of call on the maritime route between India and China.

On one side, the Vietnamese were introduced to Confucianism and Taoism by Chinese scholars who came to Vietnam to settle and on the other side, Indians connected them to Theravada Buddhism (Hinayana).

This was the period when Chinese were also learning the purity of Buddhism. The Monks carried with them the scientific and medical knowledge of both the civilization of China and India.

The relationship of Vietnamese with Chinese since then is still reflected in their culture. The Chinese rule's excesses like forced labor, tyranny and high taxes were resisted constantly.

In 679, the Chinese named the land as ANNAM (meaning Pacified South).

Eventually in 938, Ngo Quyen successfully defeated the Chinese armies at a battle near Bach Dang River - thus ending 1000 years of forced Chinese rule. After that in 968, Vietnamese accepted China's sovereignty and agreed to a triennial tribute but in return for their independence.

An independent Vietnam - flourished. Almost 900 years after many Vietnamese ruling dynasties- the French began military activity in Vietnam in 1847. The French appetite for control in that period was insatiable. (like all other contemporary European Colonizers from Spain, Great Britain and Portugal in Asia, Africa and Americas) In 1858 a joint military force of 14 ships from France and the Spanish colony of the Philippines attacked Danang after the killing of several Catholic missionaries.

After that the French in Indo-China behaved in the typical colonial way and exploited the country's resources. By 1930s 70% of Vietnamese farmers became landless.

French impoverished the people of Indo China - to a point that as a market they hardly took any interest in developing any industry. There might be exceptions but any development was to hold maximum control of the resources.

It doesn't mean that during the French's strong rule and tyranny - Vietnamese just watched the plunder. Vietnamese fought bravely and sacrificed their lives to free their nation. There was constant activity and rebellion but the French were powerful and as merciless as any other colonizer.

During World war, over 100,000 Vietnamese were sent to Europe as soldiers. That probably was the beginning of the first Vietnamese settlers in Europe.

Ultimately, it appears, when all other means failed, Ho Chi Minh - burned the fire of imagination among Vietnamese and taught them the basics of Communism.

Many people see Ho Chi Minh as a communist leader like the ones in Russia and China. Ho was probably different. It is said that more than dreaming of a Communist regime, he just wanted to see his people free. He was a dreamer like all ideologues but probably a bit more compassionate. He used the concept of Communism to unite people and introduce them to new ideas and thoughts. He wanted a "r e v o l u t i o n" but definitely not the type of communism practiced elsewhere. If Ho would have landed in the USA - he would have dreamt of a 'capitalistic' revolution, instead.

He first founded Vietnam Revolutionary Youth League (Viet nam Cach Menh Thanh Nien Dong Chi Hoi) in Canton, CHINA in 1925.

The league became Vietnam's communist party in February 1930. Ho formed the league for independence of Vietnam ( Doc Lap Dong Minh Hoi) - known as Viet Minh - which resisted the Japanese occupation ( and received Chinese and American Aid).

In very recent history, the Americans' misfortunes in Vietnam are known the world over 'thanks' to the massive media coverage by the all-pervasive, omnipresent and all-knowing US media. Vietnam has been a subject of more writings in America than even 2nd world war or possibly any other war. Much was experimented by great American industries, political masters and strategists. A whole generation of American teenagers, was airlifted to the lush jungles of Indo-China to kill unknown women, children and men - whose only crime was to be in their own homes and towns. Vietnam's ancient land had not drunk so much blood ever before.

Eventually, it seems that the fate of Vietnam and the USA is to continue their encounters this time through trade however. Vietnam welcomed Americans without any questions asked. They never had any hate for the Americans, anyway. (They just had nothing left to hate anybody) Well, hundreds of thousands of families who lost their loved ones - probably will have some negative feelings, just like the American families.

According to some people, parts of Vietnam Government machine still has some residuals of hate towards Americans; almost the same level of residuals of hate, which lie in the hearts of some Americans.

In todays' post-reform ear Vietnam - the official papers write everything they can to vent out their frustrations. The US policies and behaviour is considered neo-imperialistic and arrogant (Well that is the tone in most of the Asian media, if you read between the lines).

It was the mis-guided war of super powers who used Vietnam as a test. The victims were people - just simple people like us - who had to lose everything including their lives - nothing was lost by the strategists or super politicians - they continue to live happily writing memoirs and still talking and talking.

The war veterans are still lost somewhere in time. The system swallowed them long ago and left them with their baggage on some far off high way of history. What a pity really! But nobody seems to have learnt any lesson so far. The world has accumulated even more lethal armament hardware enough to kill ourselves 100s of times.

History repeats but with different angles.

Today - Japanese are occupying the business and office space, the Chinese of Taiwan are building factories and Americans are going back to explore!! The French are going crazy in investing and finding the best opportunities to exploit. The Indians still go there to trade and embrace the people with compassion.

The rough Khmers still behave in more or less same way but there is hope! The Chinese, Malaysians, Indonesians and other Asians all over Asia are coming back to Vietnam to contribute and to build.

Ho Chi Minh's dream is coming true after almost 65 years. Vietnam is free. But Vietnam of today - is still enslaved by Corruption, wide spread rural and urban poverty and many other problems faced by any developing nation.

There are some Vietnamese specially from Southern part who still resist the Northern people's rule but there is more harmony than resistance. Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon accounts for 1/3rd of all industrial production of Vietnam and around 20% of GDP. It has also attracted more foreign investment than any other area.

The reason probably is Vietnamese from South - who consider themselves more entrepreneurial and industrious are content with the economic reforms and now they can freely buy, sell, open businesses, joint-ventures with foreigners and consume. They would like to have more and more economic liberty and freedom to act.

The reason of some Vietnamese anger towards present Vietnam's government (formed by the VIET WAR VETERANS) possibly is that they are members of communist party and their bureaucracy is too clogged with unnecessary red-tape which is the root cause of all problems. They may be partly right only.

IF there was no proper and strong government in Vietnam - today Vietnam would be mired with not only problems of Poverty, but also extreme crime scene similar to Moscow, and terror and anarchy like you have in Laos and Cambodia. In NO way, I endorse the red-tape of Vietnamese government but Their strong control was probably essential while the country has been undergoing a very serious change.

A change for betterment! (Like China's Supereme leader Deng Xiao Ping said that a cat could be black or white - it's O.K. if it ate the rats.) There are views that most people in Vietnam are tired of this government ( I am sorry but this is the view of most people of their governments in most of the countries including the USA, Japan etc.)

The prostitution, crime and other evils also come in the package of liberty and freedom. People compete with each other, work harder and even engage in unlawful activities as they want to be better than their neighbors.

But fortunately, due to an embedded noble culture, the Vietnamese of South or North are still less corrupt and criminal minded than many other countries of Asia. If you start comparisons (unjustly though) the things in Vietnam are still quite 'noble'. Most people behave in extremely decent manner. The culture is still a tradition.

Folks are friendly, warm, open and readily will go to great lengths to satisfy you. People of Vietnam are open for BUSINESS. They mean business when they say business.

NOW, one thing we must keep in mind. Vietnam is definitely open for business but Vietnamese government wants to open gradually first a few small windows and than larger doors. The reason is very simple. You must know that Vietnam has been constantly plundered by foreign invaders.

The mind set is not yet free from that psychosis. You can never convince a people who have endured nothing but thousands of years of war and conflicts just to get FREE from all foreign influences. The nationalism, if blindly followed is as dangerous as religious fundamentalism. Yet, the nationalists of Vietnam are the fathers of today's Vietnam and they have their vision for their country and they will not allow any one to take their liberty which has cost them many generations sacrifice. They may sound cold communists or too backward in their thoughts but they have never been aggressors, nor have sent any mercenaries anywhere. These people are rough but not ruthless. One can imagine managing a war torn country.

They have taken bold steps by opening up the economy. They seem to be changing and adapting fast to the changing world economic system. It is easy to blame anybody. Once the economic prosperity comes, the system is bound to become more open, more transparent and definitely more democratic.

The things may not be as great as you might expect. You may not find the luxuries and comforts of a highly developed nation but here are some people who are striving to work harder and achieve goals. They believe in education, respect for human rights and progress.

There are always some unscrupulous people among usually noble people. Not all are corrupt or crazy for enriching themselves.
Nontheless, there are always some ambitious souls who want to participate in the 'economic revolution' as they have no other options but to seek a little favor from richer guys.

So if you are asked for a bribe by a government clerk or officer it is just an "informal tax or duty" which government should have charged and distribute among government employees.
But since the things are hot, and markets are teeming, the government clerk doesn't see any harm in taking a "little donation" from the generous "foreign" men who come in rich suits, staying in 300$ a day hotel rooms. They don't consider it corruption but just an act of balance!!

It does not mean at all that you should bribe for every single official work. Just be stern and discourage the mean and corrupt officer. Tell him that you will be forced to complain to his superiors. (This corruption scenario doesnot belong exclusively to Vietnam but to most Asian countries and to a certain extent in most Africa, East Europe and Latin America.) Vietnam is just one of the many places where corruption is prevalent.
Dont ask me why?

In this context i present a few quotes (They may not correspond to our subject!!)

"Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many."
-Eric Hoffer

Pleasure and rage
Sadness and joy
Hopes and regrets
Change and stability
Weakness and decision
Impatience and sloth:
All are sounds from the same flute,
All mushrooms from the same wet mould.
-Chuang Tzu - Tao Philosopher

Now you can read the latest business news from Vietnam

We invite your views & contributions on this issue which we will publish if approved by our editor.
Send your comments

Potential of Vietnam | | Economy BusinessNEWS | | How to do business with Vietnam | | Vietnam Business Directories