"The People of Vietnam Cannot Be Defeated"

A Visit to the Embassy of Vietnam

Photographs by Doug Graney and Roman Sarmiento

Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Political Section of the Embassy of Vietnam accepts thanks from HHS student Toshia after a question and answer session on December 7th, 2005. After visiting the embassy, students laid a wreath at the Vietnam Memorial.

Mr. Dang and Nguyen The Cuong (R), Third Secretary of Press and Cultural Affairs answer questions.

Emma (R) with Awo and Terry- Why do you think Americans thought the Vietnam War would end quickly with the U.S. winning? ANSWER- The U.S. did not understand the Vietnamese people or our history. The U.S. thinks about the material while the Vietnamese think about principles. The U.S. military can defeat Vietnam's military, but the people of Vietnam cannot be defeated.

Alexandra- It is thought that England is the best friend of the U.S. Who is the best friend of Vietnam? ANSWER- Vietnam considers many countries their "good friends" for many reasons. Those countries are China, Cuba, Laos and Australia. Australia due to the fact that Vietnam exports many of their goods to Australia. Cuba is a friend to Vietnam for political reasons.

Greg (back left)- What would you like us to know most about Vietnam? ANSWER- The Vietnamese people are happy, generous, friendly. You should also try Pho (Vietnamese soup).

Samad (back right)- To what extent does the philosophy of Ho Chi Minh still guide Vietnam today? ANSWER- Ho Chi Minh's principles are still widely supported. An example is his courage and determination to give his life for his nation. His legacy lives on.

Katie (not pictured) Does the government of Vietnam support U.S. policy regarding Iraq? ANSWER- When the war began in Iraq, Vietnam was publicly opposed. As far as U.S. policy is now concerned, any policy that promotes happiness, peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East, Vietnam is in favor of.

Amir (not pictured)- We have read that Catholicism is popular in Vietnam, but that Islam has not flourished. Considering how popular Islam is in neighboring Indonesia, why do you think Islam has not caught on in Vietnam? ANSWER- Catholicism was widely introduced to Vietnam under French colonialism and today Vietnam has the second largest Christian population in Southeast Asia after the Philippines. Islam was brought to Vietnam on a very small scale by Arab traders.

John (L)- Vietnam is considered one of the poorer nations in the world, but while the Vietnamese people may be poor, does that also mean that they are not happy? ANSWER- Vietnamese people are always smiling. In a poll of Asian nations, Vietnamese were considered the most optimistic. But it does depend on the situation, there may be happy poor people and rich people that are sad.

Kate (R) with Mary- If you think the communist party is doing a good job, why not let another party compete against the communist party? ANSWER- Things are drastically changing in Vietnam. The way I am talking to you today, I would not have been able to in the 1990's. We are making strides. Perhaps in the future there will be competing parties.

Toshia (L) with Mehrosh and Nabilliah- Is your Tet holiday, just the Tet or are there now references to the Tet Offensive of 1968? ANSWER- Well we have had the Tet holiday for 4,000 years. There may be some that associate it with the Tet Offensive.

Danielle- on your web site is states the it is the goal of Vietnam to become an industrialized nation by 2020. Are you concerned that Vietnam could face the same environmental problems China is now facing because of their rapid industrialization? ANSWER- We have the advantage of starting late to industrializing so we are working to avoid environmental problems as we industrialize.

Michelle- As you consider the progress Vietnam has made since the war, do you think you would have had more economic advancement if the U.S. had won the war? ANSWER- There would have been consequences if the U.S. had won, it would be a different country, but I don't think economic development is related to the U.S. or Vietnam winning.

Mr. Coles and Mr. Dang.