VietnamVietnam

Yesterday, Today, and Yesterday, Today, and TomorrowTomorrow

Jack D. Harris, Ph.D.Jack D. Harris, Ph.D.

Hobart and William Smith Hobart and William Smith CollegesColleges

Vietnam TodayVietnam Today

VN is a small country in SE Asia, approximately 1200+ miles long, with a coastline approximately 2500 miles long

Population now numbers over 80 million (12th largest in the world)

80% of the population is agricultural (wet rice cultivation)

A Multi-ethnic nation – 54 different ethnic groups

Varied LandscapesVaried Landscapes

1000 - 100 - 301000 - 100 - 30 1000 Years of 1000 Years of

Chinese DominationChinese Domination 100+ Years of French 100+ Years of French

ColonialismColonialism 30 Year War for 30 Year War for

National National Independence and Independence and UnityUnity

Vietnam HistoryVietnam History PrehistoricPrehistoric Cultures Cultures Foundation ofFoundation of the first Statesthe first States

Dong SonDong Son Culture: Van Lang-Au Culture: Van Lang-Au Lac StatesLac States

Sa HuynhSa Huynh Culture: Ancient Culture: Ancient Champa KingdomChampa Kingdom

Oc EoOc Eo Culture: Phu Nam Culture: Phu Nam KingdomKingdom

Chinese dominationChinese domination (2nd century (2nd century BC to 10th Century AD)BC to 10th Century AD)

Independence, dissension, and Independence, dissension, and national developmentnational development (10th to (10th to 19th centuries)19th centuries)

French dominationFrench domination (1884-1945) (1884-1945) Struggle for National Struggle for National

Independence and UnificationIndependence and Unification (1945 - 1975)(1945 - 1975)

ReconstructionReconstruction (from 1975) and (from 1975) and RenovationRenovation (from 1986) (from 1986)

A History of ResistanceA History of Resistance

The Trung Sisters

VIETNAM’S STRUGGLE AGAINST VIETNAM’S STRUGGLE AGAINST FOREIGN INVASIONFOREIGN INVASION

Resistance against Tsin Invasion (214-208 BC)Resistance against Tsin Invasion (214-208 BC) Resistance against Nan Yu (179 BC)Resistance against Nan Yu (179 BC) Chinese domination and struggle for independence (179 BC - 905 AD)Chinese domination and struggle for independence (179 BC - 905 AD) Resistance against Nan Han invasion:Resistance against Nan Han invasion:

930930 938938

Resistance against Song invasion:Resistance against Song invasion: 980-981980-981 1074-10771074-1077

Resistance against Mongol-Yuan invasion:Resistance against Mongol-Yuan invasion: 12581258 12851285 1287-12881287-1288

Resistance against Ming invasion (1406-1407)Resistance against Ming invasion (1406-1407) Ming domination and struggle for independence (1407-1427)Ming domination and struggle for independence (1407-1427) Resistance against Siam invasion (1784-1785)Resistance against Siam invasion (1784-1785) Resistance against Qing invasion (1788-1789)Resistance against Qing invasion (1788-1789) Resistance against French invasion (1858-1884) – Cochin China / Resistance against French invasion (1858-1884) – Cochin China /

Annam / TonkinAnnam / Tonkin French domination and struggle for independence (1884-1945)French domination and struggle for independence (1884-1945) Struggle for National Independence and Unification (1945-1975)Struggle for National Independence and Unification (1945-1975)

The Viets March SouthThe Viets March South

Common Origin MythCommon Origin Myth

100 eggs, the product of a goddess and a 100 eggs, the product of a goddess and a fairy created all the ancestors, and each fairy created all the ancestors, and each brother and sister (“the Viet children, brother and sister (“the Viet children, grand children of Hong”). Later, they grand children of Hong”). Later, they decided to split, the female taking 50 of decided to split, the female taking 50 of the children to the mountains, the male the children to the mountains, the male taking 50 to the sea. In fact, there was a taking 50 to the sea. In fact, there was a historical migration by the ancient historical migration by the ancient mountain civilization to the valleys, mountain civilization to the valleys, deltas, and to the sea.deltas, and to the sea.

Confucian ValuesConfucian Values Confucianism -- an Confucianism -- an

ordered and orderly ordered and orderly society based on society based on obligation, dutyobligation, duty

Family Hierarchy Family Hierarchy based on Filial Pietybased on Filial Piety ParentsParents AncestorsAncestors

Clear hierarchy of Clear hierarchy of positionspositions MandarinMandarin FarmerFarmer CraftsmenCraftsmen MerchantMerchant

Traditional CultureTraditional Culture Counterbalance communal Counterbalance communal

spirit with hierarchy (the spirit with hierarchy (the individual as subordinate to individual as subordinate to the group)the group)

Accept political autocracy Accept political autocracy while tolerating religious while tolerating religious diversity (animism, ancestor diversity (animism, ancestor worship, Buddhism, Taoism, worship, Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Hinduism and so on) Hinduism and so on)

Women and Family Women and Family HappinessHappiness

Social Production: All work Social Production: All work and contribute to societyand contribute to society

Mutual Sacrifice (Gia Dinh, Mutual Sacrifice (Gia Dinh, Dinh, Nuoc)Dinh, Nuoc)

Balance, Harmony and Balance, Harmony and ReconciliationReconciliation

The Concentric Circles of Village The Concentric Circles of Village LifeLife

GIA DINHGIA DINH: Language embeds : Language embeds familial relationshipsfamilial relationships even among even among non-family members (Formal: Ong – non-family members (Formal: Ong – Mr/Grandfather, Ba – Mr/Grandfather, Ba – Mrs/Grandmother, Friendly: Anh – Mrs/Grandmother, Friendly: Anh – Mr./Older Brother, Chi – Mrs./Older Mr./Older Brother, Chi – Mrs./Older sister, Em – younger sibling...) sister, Em – younger sibling...) When speaking of myself Toi, later When speaking of myself Toi, later Anh (Toi se di an/Anh se di an.)Anh (Toi se di an/Anh se di an.)

DINHDINH: Village communal house, : Village communal house, shared and private land, dedicated shared and private land, dedicated productproduct

NUOCNUOC: Also means “water” which : Also means “water” which is a central part of VN life. is a central part of VN life. “Country” means land (mountains, “Country” means land (mountains, rivers and sea) and people – the rivers and sea) and people – the Vietnamese say Vietnamese say

““Non song dat nuoc” - Rivers and Non song dat nuoc” - Rivers and Mountains – the whole country. The Mountains – the whole country. The mountain spirit, Son Tinh joins with mountain spirit, Son Tinh joins with the water spirit, Thung Tinh, and the water spirit, Thung Tinh, and creates completion. creates completion.

Village

Spirit

Work

Kin

Vietnam is a FOLK Vietnam is a FOLK CULTURECULTURE

Ancestor AltarAncestor Altar in each home – alive and in each home – alive and consulted, visitors show respect (old consulted, visitors show respect (old Muong woman with casket below her Muong woman with casket below her house – life continues)house – life continues)

DinhDinh (Village Communal House) – the (Village Communal House) – the repository of the local deities and spiritsrepository of the local deities and spirits

DenDen (Temples) – the repository of (Temples) – the repository of Heroes (TRUNG SISTERS [40AD])Heroes (TRUNG SISTERS [40AD])

Chua Chua (Pagodas) – the repository of (Pagodas) – the repository of BuddhismBuddhism

TetTet – Common ancestor anniversary, all – Common ancestor anniversary, all VN has same birthday, everyone returns VN has same birthday, everyone returns to Home (source village -- “One who to Home (source village -- “One who drinks the water should think of its drinks the water should think of its source”)source”)

Share the national anniversary of the Share the national anniversary of the Hung Kings – pilgrimage to ancient site Hung Kings – pilgrimage to ancient site at least once in lifetimeat least once in lifetime

A Strong Cultural and NationalA Strong Cultural and National IdentityIdentity

Ability to preserve and Ability to preserve and maintain cultural and maintain cultural and national spirit and resist national spirit and resist imposition and assimilationimposition and assimilation

Adapt and integrate Adapt and integrate extraneous factors extraneous factors (Vietnamize them)(Vietnamize them)

Extreme tendency toward Extreme tendency toward compromise and solidaritycompromise and solidarity

Holding the long view Holding the long view ( multi - generational) – ( multi - generational) – story of moving the story of moving the mountain to open up the mountain to open up the view of the houseview of the house

Unique cultural Unique cultural activities – water activities – water puppets, Quan Ho, puppets, Quan Ho, Tuong and Cheo Tuong and Cheo theatre, and a rich theatre, and a rich literature (including literature (including Nguyen Zu, Nguyen Zu, The Tale of The Tale of KieuKieu))

Happiness, Prosperity, Happiness, Prosperity, LongevityLongevity

Tet – The New YearTet – The New Year

The Future and the The Future and the CosmosCosmos

Tet Wood Block PrintsTet Wood Block Prints

Tet and the FutureTet and the Future Future directedness Future directedness Embedded in ancestor worship and BuddhismEmbedded in ancestor worship and Buddhism Lunar Month – new moon dark – it can only Lunar Month – new moon dark – it can only

get brighterget brighter Tet – the knob where 2 pieces of bamboo Tet – the knob where 2 pieces of bamboo

meet – the newmeet – the new Tet – Kumquat, Peach Blossoms and budsTet – Kumquat, Peach Blossoms and buds First FooterFirst Footer Language of optimism – the past doesn’t Language of optimism – the past doesn’t

matter (but matters in how it frames the matter (but matters in how it frames the future)future)

Don’t look back – share common future -- The Don’t look back – share common future -- The past as threat (putting it behind us)past as threat (putting it behind us)

Practical BusinessConsiderations• Business plans

• Levels of agreement• Getting to agreement

• Involving government levels• Hiring Vietnamese staff

• Dealing with “market” practices

Very “Vietnamese” Setting• Right relationship

• Respect• Equal partnership

• Community• Indirectness

Keys to Ten Working Principles

Foundations of Business Relationships• Belonging

• Step-by-step path• Comprehensive consultation

• Understanding “yes, yes”• Listening for “no”

Context for Business Development

• State structure• Administrative bureaucracy• Opening and closing seasons

From Lady Borton, “To Be Sure”

Ho Chi MinhHo Chi Minh

BACBAC/UNCLE very important designator/the arranger) /UNCLE very important designator/the arranger) An icon, the personification of unification and harmony, of dedication and An icon, the personification of unification and harmony, of dedication and

sacrifice to Vietnamese Familysacrifice to Vietnamese Family Ego-lessness: simplicity and sacrificeEgo-lessness: simplicity and sacrifice

One wish -- independence, unity, happiness: “Be they Kinh or Tho, Muong One wish -- independence, unity, happiness: “Be they Kinh or Tho, Muong or Man, Gia-rai or Ede, Xo-dang or Ba na and other ethnic minorities, or Man, Gia-rai or Ede, Xo-dang or Ba na and other ethnic minorities, fellow countrymen are all sons and daughters of Vietnam, blood brothers fellow countrymen are all sons and daughters of Vietnam, blood brothers and sisters. Through thick and thin, we share together joy and hardship, and sisters. Through thick and thin, we share together joy and hardship, and help mutually in any circumstance.and help mutually in any circumstance.

““The country and the Government are common to all of us. Therefore, our The country and the Government are common to all of us. Therefore, our people of all nationalities must unite closely to defend our country and people of all nationalities must unite closely to defend our country and support our Government.support our Government.

Rivers may dry up and mountains may erode but our unity has never Rivers may dry up and mountains may erode but our unity has never diminished.”diminished.”

GOALS: “the people wealthy, the country powerful, the society equitable GOALS: “the people wealthy, the country powerful, the society equitable and civilized” - the VN know what the good life looks like – happiness is a and civilized” - the VN know what the good life looks like – happiness is a baby in arms, prosperity is a bowl full of rice and some plumpness, old age baby in arms, prosperity is a bowl full of rice and some plumpness, old age is a bearded ancestoris a bearded ancestor

Stalin asked HCM if he was a communist or nationalist – he replied Stalin asked HCM if he was a communist or nationalist – he replied ““PATRIOTPATRIOT” – liked the ideas of ” – liked the ideas of virtue virtue from Confucianism, Christ’s embrace from Confucianism, Christ’s embrace of of universal fraternityuniversal fraternity, the serenity and , the serenity and care for the sufferingcare for the suffering of Buddha, of Buddha, and the belief in and the belief in national freedom and human rightsnational freedom and human rights of Sun-Yat-Sen. of Sun-Yat-Sen.

WWII and The American WWII and The American WarWar

WWII- Vichy French and Japanese cruelty – HCM as US WWII- Vichy French and Japanese cruelty – HCM as US allyally

In 1945 HCM declared Vietnam unifed and independent In 1945 HCM declared Vietnam unifed and independent in the square that now houses his mausoleum in Hanoi. in the square that now houses his mausoleum in Hanoi. He quoted from the American declaration of He quoted from the American declaration of independence, and sitting behind him in support were independence, and sitting behind him in support were members of US military intelligence. members of US military intelligence.

From 1946 to 1954, US supported the French in their From 1946 to 1954, US supported the French in their efforts to recolonize Vietnamefforts to recolonize Vietnam

After Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the US refused to sign the After Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the US refused to sign the Geneva AccordsGeneva Accords (promising non-interference). (promising non-interference). However:However: Diem installed as President of South Vietnam in 1956; Diem installed as President of South Vietnam in 1956; Vietnam divided at the 17th parallel and national elections Vietnam divided at the 17th parallel and national elections

concerning unification were set for 1956. They never took place; concerning unification were set for 1956. They never took place; 300 day “free movement,” and 1 million Catholics moved south, 300 day “free movement,” and 1 million Catholics moved south,

and 100,000 Viet Minh moved north to regroup.and 100,000 Viet Minh moved north to regroup.

The Issues in South The Issues in South VietnamVietnam

1956-1963 Ngo Dinh 1956-1963 Ngo Dinh Diem Diem US POLICY: “There is no US POLICY: “There is no

place left to go”place left to go” Family insularity, Family insularity,

mandarinism, Madame mandarinism, Madame Nhu, brothers and Nhu, brothers and autocracy and corruptionautocracy and corruption

Strategic HamletsStrategic Hamlets Pro-Catholic and Anti-Pro-Catholic and Anti-

BuddhistBuddhist American distortion of the American distortion of the

VN economy leads to VN economy leads to inflation and middle class inflation and middle class disaffectiondisaffection

The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory

Dominoes – From Dominoes – From Russia with loveRussia with love

The Truman DoctrineThe Truman Doctrine Support for the Support for the

French (America’s French (America’s proxy)proxy)

JFK continues with JFK continues with advisorsadvisors

Gulf of Tonkin – 1964Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 The Situation faced The Situation faced

by the US in 1965by the US in 1965

Hearts and MindsHearts and Minds Themes from the past:Themes from the past:

Resistance to outside Resistance to outside invasioninvasion

Cultural divisions of the Cultural divisions of the country, historic divisions of country, historic divisions of the countrythe country

Sanctity of Village, of Sanctity of Village, of AncestorsAncestors

Failure of the Southern Failure of the Southern ArmyArmy Viet Cong own the nightViet Cong own the night Failures to engage the Failures to engage the

enemy, and lying about itenemy, and lying about it Generals as Mandarins - Generals as Mandarins -

distant leaders and poor distant leaders and poor modelsmodels

Arming the north through Arming the north through abandonmentabandonment

The QuagmireThe Quagmire Villagers caught in the Villagers caught in the

middlemiddle Horror on both sidesHorror on both sides

My LaiMy Lai Hue at TetHue at Tet

Errors on both sidesErrors on both sides Military Strategy – Military Strategy –

Conventional warConventional war Soviet Style Agricultural Soviet Style Agricultural

ReformReform Killing of “landlords”Killing of “landlords”

The failure of The failure of VietnamizationVietnamization

Failures and Wars after Failures and Wars after 19751975

The American embargo beginsThe American embargo begins The invasion of (by?) Cambodia 1975-1979-The invasion of (by?) Cambodia 1975-1979-

19891989 Border skirmishes or domino effect?Border skirmishes or domino effect? The US supports Pol PotThe US supports Pol Pot

The invasion by the Chinese in 1979The invasion by the Chinese in 1979 In defense of CambodiaIn defense of Cambodia The three week warThe three week war

New boat people – the ethnic Chinese New boat people – the ethnic Chinese migrationmigration

Post War TensionPost War Tension

Deep suffering in Vietnam as a result Deep suffering in Vietnam as a result of 30 years of warof 30 years of war Estimated 3 million dead, 300,000 Estimated 3 million dead, 300,000

missing, every family touched by painmissing, every family touched by pain The North carpetbags the southThe North carpetbags the south

No reconciliation or healingNo reconciliation or healing Increased divisiveness after a long Increased divisiveness after a long

history of strugglehistory of struggle Divided family, regionDivided family, region

Soviet-style command economy failsSoviet-style command economy fails

Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions By 1986 the Country is in turmoil and great sufferingBy 1986 the Country is in turmoil and great suffering

The failure of its patron, the Soviet UnionThe failure of its patron, the Soviet Union Widening economic gap between rich and poor, south and Widening economic gap between rich and poor, south and

northnorth Over 80% of the population near starvation!Over 80% of the population near starvation! The Communist Party feels the people’s agitationThe Communist Party feels the people’s agitation

(Doi Moi) The New Creativity, the New Awakening(Doi Moi) The New Creativity, the New Awakening Repudiation of Command and Control (even while Repudiation of Command and Control (even while

continuing to embrace communism/socialism) as violation of continuing to embrace communism/socialism) as violation of Vietnamese national character and culture (harmony of Vietnamese national character and culture (harmony of village, linkage to ancestors, destruction of family integrity)village, linkage to ancestors, destruction of family integrity)

American War language revised to blame US government, American War language revised to blame US government, not the peoplenot the people

Want to friends with “everybody”Want to friends with “everybody”

Rewriting the FutureRewriting the Future

Avoid Viet-Viet, blame external forcesAvoid Viet-Viet, blame external forces The claim of “puppetry”The claim of “puppetry” The Civil War that didn’t happen – don’t blame The Civil War that didn’t happen – don’t blame

all southernersall southerners The victors tell the story – no tortureThe victors tell the story – no torture Rewriting of Vietnamese history Rewriting of Vietnamese history

Simultaneous merger of the three Viet cultures Simultaneous merger of the three Viet cultures Declarations of Ethnic UnityDeclarations of Ethnic Unity National Unity under the umbrella idea of an National Unity under the umbrella idea of an

idealized kinshipidealized kinship

Engineering ConsensusEngineering Consensus Is there a Is there a culturalcultural basis basis

for consensus?for consensus? Ethnicity (54 ethnic groups)Ethnicity (54 ethnic groups)

Vietnamization from 1975-Vietnamization from 1975-1986, now cultural 1986, now cultural protectionismprotectionism

Loyalty still doubtful, Loyalty still doubtful, borders to Laos quite borders to Laos quite permeablepermeable

Groups too small to build Groups too small to build effective movementseffective movements

Against Identity Politics – Against Identity Politics – socialism must become more socialism must become more inclusive or groups (gender, inclusive or groups (gender, ethnic, regional) may assert ethnic, regional) may assert that their interests are not that their interests are not being metbeing met

Engineering ConsensusEngineering Consensus

Is there an Is there an politicalpolitical basis for basis for consensus?consensus? The One Party System and The One Party System and Political Political

RepressionRepression Censorship and 900+ political prisonersCensorship and 900+ political prisoners Corruption and powerCorruption and power

National AssemblyNational Assembly Woman VPWoman VP Ethnic representationEthnic representation

Communist Party(Policy)

Government (Executive )

Fatherland Front(People’s Organizations)

Ministries& StateCommittees

Ministry of Planning & Investment

Province & City Level[=state and large city]

District Level[=county and small city]

Trade Unions • Farmer’s Union• Women’s Union

•Youth League• Red Cross

• Journalists ... others

Major Enterprise

Level

Province & CityLevel

National Assembly(Legislative)

Politburo

Secretariat

Central Committee

Courts(Judicial)

All levels

People’sCouncils

All levels

Note: Some Ministries and People’s Organizations will haveactive sections all the way to the commune (rural township or urban borough) and village levels.

Engineering ConsensusEngineering Consensus Is there an Is there an economiceconomic

basis for consensus?basis for consensus? World Bank, the IMF, and World Bank, the IMF, and

the new economythe new economy Class StratificationClass Stratification

Free market and Free market and individualism, in the individualism, in the context of SOCIALISM context of SOCIALISM

Ambivalence and go slow Ambivalence and go slow – especially the embrace – especially the embrace of the Westof the West

RegionalizationRegionalization Widening issues of Widening issues of

classclass Rural/urban differencesRural/urban differences North/South differencesNorth/South differences

Toward a Dynamic Toward a Dynamic SocietySociety

Finally, not at WarFinally, not at War Wealth building and Wealth building and

Global ParticipationGlobal Participation Political ReformPolitical Reform ModernizationModernization Resource Resource

managementmanagement EnvironmentEnvironment InfrastructureInfrastructure PeoplePeople

Vietnam is ready to be a Vietnam is ready to be a country country

on the move!on the move!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi!Chuc Mung Nam Moi!