Vietnam - Communism & the Intellectual

During the past 6 weeks - I have had the pleasure of befriending a half dozen Vietnamese intellectuals who are fluent in English or associated with fluent English interpreters. These include students, journalist, and 2 US college educated individuals who have duel (albeit dubious) Vietnamese/American citizenships and chose to live in Vietnam. All have asked that I share their perspectives as Vietnamese intellectuals with all of my American friends - all of whom they feel qualify as "intellectuals" - I have chosen not to inform them any differently - but don't let your egos inflate too much!? This email is my attempt to honor their request as I said I would. First some important facts:

Vietnam Facts: government = Socialist Republic - Communism (comprised of president, party chief, "prime minister, 7 regional governors, 50 provincial chiefs and numerous regional reps, 3 primary city gov'ts), population = 85 million, area = 330 sq km (about the size of Italy), 1 of only 4 communist nations in the world - others are China, Cuba, and N. Korea

Below are summaries of the 10 most salient perspectives my friends wanted conveyed:

1. The entire Vietnamese communist government infrastructure is comprised of less than 2 million individuals or about 2% of the entire population all of whom are members of and have strong ties to high ranking party officials. This includes all gov't officials and employees as well as the military and police. It is also interesting to note that almost without exception, these government officials have very little education - most having completed only the 6th grade.

2. .Most "federal monies" end up in the pockets of the 2% of the population running the government. This is why the Vietnamese people do NOT want the US government to pay any war retributions to the Vietnamese government.

3. The vast majority of the Vietnamese population are NOT official members of the Communist Party.

4. The general population has never personally met or even seen any of their "representatives" at any level!

5. Given the aforementioned, most Vietnamese govt officials truly fear the general population and for their personal futures. For these reasons, most stash vast sums of monies in overseas bank accounts in any countries that will accept them - not surprisingly China is at the top of the list with Taiwan (who. Is not Communist but has very close ties with Vietnamese govt official) running a close 2nd. Many Vietnamese govt officials own "palaces" in China.

6. The vast majority of the general Vietnamese population is well aware of all the above.

7. Vietnamese professionals such as teachers, doctors, and journalists are primarily employed by the govt and paid very low wages - averaging $200-$300 per month. It is believed this is because the govt realizes they are the intellectuals and suppressing their wages will keep them in line, e.g..., low salaries limit their ability to travel - even within Vietnam.

8. The Vietnamese intellectuals are severely oppressed by the government when it comes to expressing ANY anti-government sentiments - in any form including discussions with friends. Many "intellectuals" still disappear on a daily basis.

9. The intellectuals recognize and for the most part accept (albeit grudgingly) being government "monkeys" on the outside - but ALL know what they believe in their hearts.
10. The Vietnamese people (minimally the intellectuals) know the government is aware of and truly fears their democratic aspirations, e.g., the overseas bank accounts and investments in China. What is most disturbing is that the people (most of whom are very poor by any standards) are becoming very impatient with communism - they want equal rights and justice YESTERDAY not tomorrow. Coupled with their very long fiercely and not that distant revolutionary history, the government should fear their there own population.

It is because of the above and perhaps the proliferation of US TV on Vietnamese airwaves and their love of such programs, that all Vietnamese love and welcome all Americans! It is too bad that their are so few of us here and those of us who are here do not take the time to get to know more about the Vietnamese people.