While I Am At It

Visited three things which put a new twist on US perceptions of Southeast Asia: War Remnants Museum, Renunification Palace, and Cu Chi (sp?) tunnels outside HCMC. I'll put pictures elsewhere but the thing that struck me was the difference in perceptions of what happened 1963-73.

Of course, you must understand that these places are run by the government of Vietnam which is socialist/capitalist . . . whatever. The message is clear. The US invaded where they shouldn't have, they were colonialist, we beat they, they left, it's over, let's move on. It's an interesting message which is, of course, full of silly propaganda and leaves the impression that hardly any Vietnamese were killed.

One museum portrays American atrocities and I have no doubt that some terrible things were done. What is not mentioned is all the atrocities committed by the Vietnamese against Americans and South Vietnamese as well as native peoples. In the end it becomes almost comic.

The thing is that the average Vietnamese person doesn't give a rip. They've moved on. They won, they're done. They like Americans, they seem glad we're here, they are quiet and polite.

Aside from the heat I really like Vietname and would like to spend more time here. It is hot here though and you wear out faster than you think.

Everyone here seems to have a cell phone and internet access is easy and cheap. Vietnames are a highly literate society (70%) and highly motivated to succeed. They want investment and things are growing here.

We met with TQPR who is, according to them, the first global pr agency in Vietnam. Their manager is Australian and they seem to be doing well with the right accounts. PR here is a new concept and one that would seem to contract a socialist perspective. I took them a while to get their license but that work well here within government restrictions. Yes, they arrest bloggers here too.

Media corruption is rampant. If you want a story placed there must be an envelope in the media kit. I am told that there are some fine Vietnamese journalism but some who aren't.

Off to Bangkok today, then home for students on Sunday, I leave Monday.

More later.