Oz M
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You ask a difficult question, since you don't elaborate to ask how it is today compared to a particular period of time...
So to compare......
600 AD to 1800 AD : frequently at war, frequently invaded and almost always won.
1800 to WW2 : French moved in and began colonizing the country. The inter-tribal wars of Vietnam were still frequent between themselves and often (particularly in later times), against the French. French introduced lots of their culture, improved the quality of life for many, and some Vietnamese became quite wealthy.
WW2: Japan invaded, French retreated or surrendered. Many Vietnamese became slaves of the Japanese military might. The wealthy lost their riches, and the inter-tribal battles came to an end. Japan ruled with an iron fist.
After WW2 : French returned, Ho Chi Minh united the people and a popular movement began against the French. The former wealthy regained their wealth, China began taking an interest with the allies like US, Australia and so forth concerned about China's interests.
Important to note: Ho Chi Minh hated the big divide that existed between the Rich and the Poor. He embraced socio-communism with a dream of a united country where all were equal, and none the slave or under servitude of another.
1950's to 1975 : The country was at war and in conflict. North and south became divided. US supported corrupt governments in the South.
1975 to 1990: The country was almost closed to the west. Former supporters of the south (particularly the wealthy and the military) found themselves scorned, hated, imprisoned, tortured and even killed. Many thousand left, with some being killed trying to sneak out. Those former south supporters found themselves often in starvation, not allowed to hold down a job. Many served years of torture in "re-education" prisons.
While citizens of neutral or supportive countries were welcome, others were not. I met a couple US doctors (now living in Vietnam) who told me of the way things were. One worked there as a non-political humanitarian in the 1980's. He told me he had curfews, and always had a Government appointed minder everywhere he went. He was not allowed to go to some areas without lengthy delays in getting permission from the Government. He told me he had been arrested several times for very minor breaches of the rules.
The other US doctor (who worked in Vietnam in the early 90's)told me he experienced similar treatment. He said he was there for only one year, but returned again to work in the late 90's and was free to move around without Government minders or permission.
Both of those doctors now live there and say that all previous restrictions on them are now non-existent.
As for Tourists... in 1998, the style of Government in VN changed and it became quite easy to obtain a visa, and travel was become less and less restrictive.
Today, the VN government are rapidly changing. Foreign investment welcomed and encouraged with the Govt just a couple months ago permitting 100% ownership of land by foreigners. VN has joined the WTO and western culture, fashions and lifestyle becoming more and more common.
Ho Chi Minh's dream however (what I mentioned earlier), never happened. Today, the divide between the rich and the poor is wider, and the number are a much greater percentage than that which existed during the the 1950's. Ho Chi Minh condemned corruption, but after the VN war, it became widespread.
That being said, the current Government are embracing good morals and condemning corruption. There were about a dozen Government Officials arrested in 2008 who are facing execution for being corrupt. (2 have already been executed)
VN is embracing the west and is now the fastest growing Asian economy. |
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