The only remaining traces of any of the defoliants are the four air bases where they were stored, and what is left is traces of dioxin. All the actual defoliating chemicals broke down within months of the spraying, as they still do (one of the primary ingredients of Orange is still in commonly sold weedkillers in the USA and elsewhere), which is why we use weedkillers every year in our gardens and lawns. There is no lasting ecological damage in Viet Nam, other than the loss of the one kind of tree most sensitive to defoliation. Clear cutting huge areas of the forests for timber for foreign exchange and rampant pollution have done the real ecological damage. As to birth defects, their incidence in Viet Nam puts them in the center of the distribution of the world's nations, and much less than Cambodia, where there was no spraying. Aside from those four pockets of remaining dioxin pollution (now being cleaned up in large part with US funds) there is no basis for claiming widespread birth defects.
8
I recommend the recently published memoir SHIP WITH PAPER SAILS - STORY OF A HANOI NEWSMAN by Nguyen Khuyen published by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Publishing House in Hanoi (June 2016)
It is unique in being the first book I am aware written by a Hanoian of the war generation in English. But then that is typical of a man now in his 80s who was as proficient in French, English and German as well as Vietnamese and who has a working knowledge over other languages including Russian. He is not only famous for being a war correspondent and scholar but also for being a major player in setting up a Cambodian News Agency during the 1980s as well as the only English language national daily in Vietnam - the Vietnam News.
I was privileged to have worked with him throughout the 1990s. And he is now tapping away at a personal memoir of his childhood and youth starting from his first memories in 1940 from the Japanese occupation of his country, through the subsequent famine and mass deaths, the heady days for all young patriots with the declaration of independence by Ho Chi Minh in 1945 shortly before the colonialist French, licking their own wounds from WW2, decided to re invade their former colony which led to the first war of independence culminating in victory against the French in 1954. Mr K promises to leave off there!
It is unique in being the first book I am aware written by a Hanoian of the war generation in English. But then that is typical of a man now in his 80s who was as proficient in French, English and German as well as Vietnamese and who has a working knowledge over other languages including Russian. He is not only famous for being a war correspondent and scholar but also for being a major player in setting up a Cambodian News Agency during the 1980s as well as the only English language national daily in Vietnam - the Vietnam News.
I was privileged to have worked with him throughout the 1990s. And he is now tapping away at a personal memoir of his childhood and youth starting from his first memories in 1940 from the Japanese occupation of his country, through the subsequent famine and mass deaths, the heady days for all young patriots with the declaration of independence by Ho Chi Minh in 1945 shortly before the colonialist French, licking their own wounds from WW2, decided to re invade their former colony which led to the first war of independence culminating in victory against the French in 1954. Mr K promises to leave off there!
3
It's a very nice article, makes some great points about underappreciated literature by Vietnamese writers. It did neglect the story of Trương Như Tảng, certainly a very valuable part of that history and a deeply personal account of one of the leading figures of the National Liberation Front. (Now a refugee in Paris.)
It's sad that so many people only see the war as an American invasion that had nothing to do with the Vietnamese people. A- we did not "invade", we were invited there by the government of the South, which was at least as legitimate at the communist rulers of the North. B- has everyone forgotten the Containment Doctrine, which brought us to fight in Korea, to prevent a communist North from conquering by force a noncommunist South? Are people unaware that China and Russia were supporting the North with far more than we were the South long before the first Marines landed in 1965?
Did we not care about the South Koreans either, was that just a place, not a people, just an exercise in arrogant imperialism too? Communism was just a boogieman? So the Germans who died trying to get over that wall were just fools, like all the others who fled Hungary, Cuba, and the VN Boat people were silly to leave the "liberation and justice" that Hanoi brought them? I went to Viet Nam specifically to help the South stay free, with full regard for the people there, whom I still help in charity work there. Dismissing that whole tragedy as American ignorance and racism is wrong.
It's sad that so many people only see the war as an American invasion that had nothing to do with the Vietnamese people. A- we did not "invade", we were invited there by the government of the South, which was at least as legitimate at the communist rulers of the North. B- has everyone forgotten the Containment Doctrine, which brought us to fight in Korea, to prevent a communist North from conquering by force a noncommunist South? Are people unaware that China and Russia were supporting the North with far more than we were the South long before the first Marines landed in 1965?
Did we not care about the South Koreans either, was that just a place, not a people, just an exercise in arrogant imperialism too? Communism was just a boogieman? So the Germans who died trying to get over that wall were just fools, like all the others who fled Hungary, Cuba, and the VN Boat people were silly to leave the "liberation and justice" that Hanoi brought them? I went to Viet Nam specifically to help the South stay free, with full regard for the people there, whom I still help in charity work there. Dismissing that whole tragedy as American ignorance and racism is wrong.
13
The author makes some v. cogent points and I plan to read some of the books mentioned. When I was working with soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, I gave them them passages from "The Things They Carried" and "Dispatches" to help them connect to other soldiers' experiences, but nothing from the civilian standpoint.
Nevertheless, it disappoints that the author framed the piece as condemnation of the U.S., failing to distinguish between the elites who start wars and the average citizen, who has virtually no power, and prompting responses in the Times about the "American character" and the numerous moral failings of the populace. I doubt there is an "American character" -- there is human nature. The derision one sees in the NY Times is the flip side of Trumpism; they feed each other, they go hand in hand.
Nevertheless, it disappoints that the author framed the piece as condemnation of the U.S., failing to distinguish between the elites who start wars and the average citizen, who has virtually no power, and prompting responses in the Times about the "American character" and the numerous moral failings of the populace. I doubt there is an "American character" -- there is human nature. The derision one sees in the NY Times is the flip side of Trumpism; they feed each other, they go hand in hand.
7
The only sad thing about this article is that the author is unable to mention his own book, "The Sympathizer," which is, in fact, perhaps the great Vietnam War novel. Whether "When heaven and Earth Changed Places" or "Shallow Graves," on the one hand, or "Chicken Hawk" or "The Things They Carried," there are many great tales from one "side" or the other. But "Sympathizer," with its nuanced exploration of love/hate, loyalty/betrayal, inside/outside is the one novel I know of that encompasses it all.
12
Bao Ninh’s novel “The Sorrow of War.” This book is not just a North Vietnamese war classic — it is a classic war novel of any time and any place.
Tremendous novel. As the author says, it is one of the great war novels of all time.
Tremendous novel. As the author says, it is one of the great war novels of all time.
9
The war was an American war. It was a war that took place in Vietnam, but that Vietnam itself wasn't even considered by one side of the conflict. Vietnam was to them a just a war, not a place, not a culture, not a people. Vietnam was an analogue to the ideological boogieman that was communism. Vietnam suffered from 1945 until 1972 because of an American type of blindness that doesn't see people (especially people of color), but sees communist (or Jihadi). The word displaces the person and it is acceptable to "count bodies" as a war aim, if the body is that of a word. No Vietnamese were ever killed in Vietnam by American soldiers, only Communists were killed, so we can sleep well. Vietnam and the Vietnamese need to be remembered, but those memories are becoming just words as the men and women that survived the war die. So after all is said, we return them to words. We should fight now for the words that elevate them and help the next generation to remember them as Vietnamese.
19
Robert Olen Butler's Pulitzer Prize winning short story collection, "A Good Scent From a Strange Mountain" is, I think, an exception. His characters are Vietnamese and they speak to the experiences of Vietnamese both in Vietnam during the war and in the US after the fall of Saigon. Mr. Butler served in an Army Military Intelligence unit based in Saigon. The stories are brilliant and heart wrenching.
7
The article has moved me to think about the other of the story. We too often taboo Vietnam with American war and every time we hear or read this name war memoirs fill our minds here. Yes this long neglected perspective should also be given some attention to analyse the complexities more effectively. The article is a really a good read.
7
Thank you for publishing this article.
From 1967 to 1968 I served as a medical-surgical advisor to a superb Vietnamese physician in South Vietnam. His hospital treated primarily women and children caught in the middle of the war. Our hospital staff numbers were small and the hours long with minimal equipment and supplies. There were bats living in the rafters and families needed to live in the wards to help provide food and care for the wounded. But there was always an abundance of hope, effort, persistence, and sometimes, when we won a battle to keep someone alive, great joy.
The stories of the people of this land need to be told by as many voices as possible. The chronicles of their courage and compassion should transcend the tales of politics, greed, and betrayal that all have their place, but sometimes miss the very personal, repeated quiet acts of kindness. The gentleness, humor, and love of life even after a thousand years of so many, many war will always be emblazoned on my memories.
From 1967 to 1968 I served as a medical-surgical advisor to a superb Vietnamese physician in South Vietnam. His hospital treated primarily women and children caught in the middle of the war. Our hospital staff numbers were small and the hours long with minimal equipment and supplies. There were bats living in the rafters and families needed to live in the wards to help provide food and care for the wounded. But there was always an abundance of hope, effort, persistence, and sometimes, when we won a battle to keep someone alive, great joy.
The stories of the people of this land need to be told by as many voices as possible. The chronicles of their courage and compassion should transcend the tales of politics, greed, and betrayal that all have their place, but sometimes miss the very personal, repeated quiet acts of kindness. The gentleness, humor, and love of life even after a thousand years of so many, many war will always be emblazoned on my memories.
33
Thanks for paving the way for my generation!
I taught ESL in HCMC for 5 years 99'-04'... met my VNs spouse, returned to USA together, settled-down, work, child, home, etc...
All n all, it's ALL good....Thankful to others before me...it's become Full-Circle :-)
I taught ESL in HCMC for 5 years 99'-04'... met my VNs spouse, returned to USA together, settled-down, work, child, home, etc...
All n all, it's ALL good....Thankful to others before me...it's become Full-Circle :-)
7
My dad enlisted in the USMC in 1950 and retired in 1968 from Camp Pendleton. He never talked about it but as a kid watching the nightly news was required= the horror of blood and guts a graphic portrayal of Vietnam war will always stay with me. The fact the US government has been warring now for so many years and it's citizens hardly seem interested is due to this experience alone. No more televised wars!
5
I was hoping to expand my reading on Vietnam after finishing Mr. Nguyen's stunning novel, The Sympathizers. This list gives me all I need. Thank you.
7
Great article and great recommendations by a brilliant author whose "The Sympathyzer" is a masterpiece. To any such reading list i would add "Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram", a harrowing yet hauntingly beautiful first person account recorded by a young female surgeon from a privileged Hanoi family who joins and fights with the Viet Cong in the jungles of the South.
Killed by the Americans in 1970, her diary was confiscated on the battlefield by an American GI who kept it secret for 35 years, before returning it to her family and publication in 2005.
A touching and heartfelt archival document from an (at the time) North Vietnamese perspective, this searing and beautifully written diary is essential reading for anyone seeking to better understand the country, it's people, and it's history.
Killed by the Americans in 1970, her diary was confiscated on the battlefield by an American GI who kept it secret for 35 years, before returning it to her family and publication in 2005.
A touching and heartfelt archival document from an (at the time) North Vietnamese perspective, this searing and beautifully written diary is essential reading for anyone seeking to better understand the country, it's people, and it's history.
23
For what it's worth, the picture in the article depicts an American dressed in khakis with the rank of major on his hat and a combat infantryman badge on his chest. I knew a lot of people while I was there but never ran across a civilian wearing military rank.
8
I can't be sure, but that American in the photograph might be Dennis Hayslip, Le Ly'second husband after her first, the civilian contractor, died of emphysema. Oliver Stone, in his film version of her memoir depicted him as a Marine nco as I recall. Hope this helps. Sempre Fi!
4
This is a welcome essay and list of books about Vietnam. Thank you so much, Mr. Nguyen. I was a college student during the early years of our war in Vietnam. Like most college students then, we didn't watch TV news, but I was reminded of the ongoing war whenever a friend was drafted or signed up to go. Looking back, I wish I had participated in demonstrations against the war. Later, the war touched me more deeply with battlefield deaths of friends and students I taught. I am ashamed to say that I have failed to learn (or try to learn) anything about life in Vietnam or the history before or since that war. I look forward to correcting my ignorance with these books.
12
Viet Thanh Nguyen's insightful and compelling review certainly assures that I will read the book.
It is hard to believe that Hanoi has silenced Bao Ninh. I agree that THE SORROW OF WAR is a classic war noel. I would say a classic anti war novel.
Condemning Vietnam because it uses free markets to feed the people is like suggesting that the CIA should have prevailed at Tienanmen Square. We must remember that when we have succeeded in installing democracy/capitalism, chaos has followed. Fortunately many of our past successes have morphed into independent systems, like Iran, Chile and Nicaragua.
t Bao Ninh’s novel “The Sorrow of War.” This book is not just a North Vietnamese war classic — it is a classic whe book.
It is hard to believe that Hanoi has silenced Bao Ninh. I agree that THE SORROW OF WAR is a classic war noel. I would say a classic anti war novel.
Condemning Vietnam because it uses free markets to feed the people is like suggesting that the CIA should have prevailed at Tienanmen Square. We must remember that when we have succeeded in installing democracy/capitalism, chaos has followed. Fortunately many of our past successes have morphed into independent systems, like Iran, Chile and Nicaragua.
t Bao Ninh’s novel “The Sorrow of War.” This book is not just a North Vietnamese war classic — it is a classic whe book.
4
Americans do not see other peoples as real. They are merely unfeeling, simple caricatures--- the extras in America's great drama. If a dozen people are killed here in a tragic event, we have enormous coverage of the trauma that their families went through. But a million civilians die due to our invasion of Iraq and we just poo-poo it. Each one of those people had a life, a family, a network of friends and colleagues who were shattered by that death--- but Americans see them as just cartoon figures. All that matters is the American soldiers who were killed or wounded and the trauma it put their family through. Can you imagine living in a country where a large percentage of the population has been killed, where nearly everyone knows multiple people who have died? Frankly, I can't. And most Americans don't want to even think about it. Whether its Vietnam or Iraq or any of the other countries where civilians are caught in the crossfire and die in great numbers, the trauma is not felt or even known to most Americans. Thank you for this piece-- it has opened my eyes and I will try to read some of the works you mention.
45
Philip Tymon
A fitting, apt and accurate observation. Thanks
A fitting, apt and accurate observation. Thanks
2
Read the history of Cambodia, 1965 to the present. There, you'll find that the US, in trying to roust the North Vietnamese army from the supply lines that crossed into and out of Cambodia, bombed the living daylights out of the Cambodian countryside. The farmers, tired of bombs raining down on them left for the relative sanctuary of the cities. There, the Khmer Rouge, taking their cues from Mao's Cultural Revolution, managed to empty the cities and kill between 25% and 33% of the entire population of Cambodia during the years 1970 - 1979 or so. Imagine.
10
Maybe UC Berkeley was different; the Vietnam War was discussed in classrooms; we had friends who were drafted, and some who joined one military unit over another. My cousin joined the Marines. We were against the war for the right reasons: Vietnam was not a threat to the U.S.; there was no evidence that Ho Chi Minh meant any harm to the U.S In fact, he believed we would be on his side in his fight for independence from French plantation owners. He modeled a constitution on ours. We were pushed into that war by Dulles, an old war hawk. There were anti-Vietnam War marches all over the country, and not because of fear of the draft. Students had many ways to avoid the draft. We saw the war as wrong; we saw the French as wrong; we saw Dulles as a war monger. My cousin came home from Vietnam against the war; he also came home with a lot of admiration for the No. Vietnamese who fought in sandals, and who were fighting for Ho Chi Minh, a national hero who beat the French. His sons have not joined the military and won't be dragged into a war of choice.
5
I look forward to reading "When Heaven and Earth Changed Places". Perhaps the author is being modest, and so I'll call out that he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016 for his powerful novel "The Sympathizer".
I recommend "They Marched Into Sunlight: October 1967" which flips back and forth between a group of replacement draftees assigned to the Black Lions Regiment, and their travails that month, and student protests at the U of Wisconsin, which turned into a police riot, The VN part is one of the most moving reads I have ever encountered.
8
All for what...? Disgusting. The joy continues in Yemen...your taxdollars at "work."
19
How can you talk about the killing of Muslims in Yemen. The great Christian"I talk to Jesus everyday" Obama had a fine time watching his drones kill over two hundred at just one wedding.
Larry Craig, I think what Hmmm is saying is that, like in Vietnam and in so many places and times since, the United States of America rushes into wars and acts of war (drone attacks in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, for example) as if it were our right to do so. Noam Chomsky has written cogently and concisely about how the news media, including the NY Times, uses entirely different adjectives and nouns when speaking of war-like behavior of the US and its allies vs. global opponents and *their* military attacks.
The United States is in complete denial about their military's presence on the world stage. How often in the media are we reminded that we are the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of military hardware? How many Americans know that we have over 700 military bases and installations *outside of* the 50 United States? How many Americans know that we outspend the next-biggest 10 spenders on military matters and that of the discretionary funds spent by the US federal gov't, more than 50% goes to the military?
We need to talk about the killing of people of *any* description in Yemen or anywhere else. These are war crimes, these acts that rain bombs down on desert tent wedding parties and the like.
The United States is in complete denial about their military's presence on the world stage. How often in the media are we reminded that we are the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of military hardware? How many Americans know that we have over 700 military bases and installations *outside of* the 50 United States? How many Americans know that we outspend the next-biggest 10 spenders on military matters and that of the discretionary funds spent by the US federal gov't, more than 50% goes to the military?
We need to talk about the killing of people of *any* description in Yemen or anywhere else. These are war crimes, these acts that rain bombs down on desert tent wedding parties and the like.
6
Just back from three weeks in Vietnam where they call it the American War while still grappling with the aftershocks of agent orange and elderly heroines who lost husbands and sons. Working their rice fields or eking out a living by fishing, while Saigon on the verge of being a modern global city, the Vietnamese are more gracious and lovely than we could imagine to people who bombed them. As our tour guide said, "American politicians are mean, American people are nice, we are not mad."
23
Coming of age in America during the Vietnam War was such a painful time on so many fronts. To a young girl, America seemed on fire with emotion. Anger at the mutual destruction happening in SE Asia - citizenry seemingly helpless to stop the slaughter. So painful - yet like most of America- I wasn't remotely exposed to the dangers and terrors of that war. My exploration of the war has been limited to Marlantes "What It's Like to Go to War" but that was seeking to understand why there is always a "next time" after every "never again".
Thank you for this essay. Lots of new books on my reading list. Tough stuff.
Thank you for this essay. Lots of new books on my reading list. Tough stuff.
14
I had hoped to learn something about the people society of this country, but it was an advertisement for books. No information other than "oh how bad, the lack of general interest in the country as a people and their history. You provided nothing to draw the due attention to this fascinating topic.
1
Dear Slow and Easy,
During the 1st Iraq war, NPR (National Public Radio), breaking away briefly from their near-constant "gee whiz don't we have the most marvelous military ever" mode, gave us the result of a Pew research poll. In it they asked various questions like, "Is Kuwait a democracy?" and other "trick questions." (Hahaha) Then, after they got those answers, they asked the respondents how much they watch TV news, listened to radio news, read newspapers, read news magazines, and read books written about current affairs. Guess what? The people who were the best informed read books and the people who got their information primarily from TV were, surprisingly or not, the least informed.
If you want to learn about Vietnam, read the books. And then, go visit the country after.
During the 1st Iraq war, NPR (National Public Radio), breaking away briefly from their near-constant "gee whiz don't we have the most marvelous military ever" mode, gave us the result of a Pew research poll. In it they asked various questions like, "Is Kuwait a democracy?" and other "trick questions." (Hahaha) Then, after they got those answers, they asked the respondents how much they watch TV news, listened to radio news, read newspapers, read news magazines, and read books written about current affairs. Guess what? The people who were the best informed read books and the people who got their information primarily from TV were, surprisingly or not, the least informed.
If you want to learn about Vietnam, read the books. And then, go visit the country after.
6
slowandeasy. I would strongly expect that reading this Syllabus will give you a great insight into the "people society" of Vietnam. I did not take it as an "advertisement for books," but as a suggested reading list.
7
An excellent and thought provoking contribution to the series "VIETNAM '67". The author, Viet Thanh Nguyen, is a wonderful writer in his own right, so please fellow readers consider reading his works as well. Thank you so much, Professor Nguyen, for having taken the time to share your syllabus of worthy topical reads, encourage greater awareness, and a more holistic understanding of America's Vietnam legacy and its abiding impact at home and abroad.
13
Very modest of Viet Thanh Nguyen to not mention his own Pulitzer Prize-winning, excellent novel about the Vietnam War, *The Sympathizer*. I'm surprised it's not even in the author bio at the bottom of the article.
31
Viet Thanh Nguyen won the 2016 Pulitzer prize for fiction with his book, "The Sympathizer." Why no mention of this?
13
Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of "The Sympathizer", is the writer of this article.
5
Resilient people, superb cuisine, fascinating country. My wife was a "boat person," who suffered tremendously, made it to the USA where her family has prospered and contributed to our country. Hence when our so called Pres announced his travel ban, I rushed to the local airport to support refugees. My eyes begin to swell whenever I ponder how the consequences of the horrible war are actually responsible for my marrying the greatest woman in the world.
20
Anyone interested in this ought to read The Moon of Hoa Binh, a two volume novel by Cong Huyen Ton Nu Nha Trang and her husband William Pensinger, published in 1994 in Bangkok. A masterpiece few people seem to know about.
6
It's fitting, America's Vietnam war was never about Vietnam but America. Conflict began long before America 'joined'.
5
Vietnam will always be incomprehensible to Americans, since its ancient culture is so different from our own. The best book about our experience there is still Michael Herr's Dispatches. I knew Michael slightly, and he ended up becoming a religious seeker, in the traditions of Thinley Norbu of Bhutan. He did not want to talk about Vietnam for the last 20 years of his life.
Thanks for this reference to the Vietnamese experience in that awful war. There is a surprising tone of forgiveness among the Vietnamese I have met since then, after 3 million deaths caused by our invasion of their country. They deserve our love and respect for that alone.
What has not been written yet is a great book about war resisters, and how jail time, escape to Canada, and beatings by cops during antiwar protests still haunt us, too. We don't whine, because GI's got killed there, but it's a story worth telling.
The country has changed since then, and not for the better. Back in the 60's, there was a storefront office in Berkeley showing us how to resist the war by any means possible.
Time proved us right- but that level of resistance would not be permitted today. Why?
Thanks for this reference to the Vietnamese experience in that awful war. There is a surprising tone of forgiveness among the Vietnamese I have met since then, after 3 million deaths caused by our invasion of their country. They deserve our love and respect for that alone.
What has not been written yet is a great book about war resisters, and how jail time, escape to Canada, and beatings by cops during antiwar protests still haunt us, too. We don't whine, because GI's got killed there, but it's a story worth telling.
The country has changed since then, and not for the better. Back in the 60's, there was a storefront office in Berkeley showing us how to resist the war by any means possible.
Time proved us right- but that level of resistance would not be permitted today. Why?
31
Dispatches is a great novel - about an American experience, yes. Loved it.
But as tragic as Vietnam was for some Americans, our tragedy is to the Vietnamese tragedy like the 1989 World Series Earthquake, killing 63 and hurting over 3,000, was to the December 2004 Indonesian tsunami that killed over 230,000.
We'll never know how many Vietnamese were killed and wounded and psychologically maimed. Did the world even care? Could we care?
I admire Michael Herr and own the book, but as great a story as it is, how does one realistically compare it against a genre written by Vietnamese subject to the war those Herr wrote about persecuted on them?
But as tragic as Vietnam was for some Americans, our tragedy is to the Vietnamese tragedy like the 1989 World Series Earthquake, killing 63 and hurting over 3,000, was to the December 2004 Indonesian tsunami that killed over 230,000.
We'll never know how many Vietnamese were killed and wounded and psychologically maimed. Did the world even care? Could we care?
I admire Michael Herr and own the book, but as great a story as it is, how does one realistically compare it against a genre written by Vietnamese subject to the war those Herr wrote about persecuted on them?
23
Not to pick nits, but "Dispatches" is reportage, brilliant journalism, but journalism nonetheless. The book is a collection of articles Herr wrote as an accredited journalist for Esquire magazine. It focuses particularly on Tet, the siege of Khe Sanh and the aftermath of Dak To, the war from 1967-68. Part of what makes the book invaluable is Herr's insights into the way in which the war would forever alter American language and culture.
4
Yes, I find it very disturbing how very little curiosity there is about Vietnam among Americans. I wonder, for all the great claims that are made for the American character, why we are by and large so immensely incurious about the rest of the world when we as a country have such an outsized influence on other countries, in our wars or otherwise. This is particularly true in regards to Vietnam. I just missed going there as a draftee in 1971 because of a high lottery number, but visited there in 2002 for the first time, and have returned often. I was a Fulbright scholar to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2006-7.
My curiosity about Vietnam continues. Though this essay only discusses literature, I must add as an American with no direct cultural or familial ties to Vietnam that it is simply a extraordinary, fascinating country--its history in the 20th century alone illustrates any number of themes still of great concern to contemporary studies including Marxism, colonial and post-colonialism, Buddhism, Confucianism, as well as adaptive strategies in relation to French culture. and on and on. The inspiring optimism of the people in contrast to their corrupt government is in itself rather astounding. It is telling that I am writing this almost 24 hours after publication of this piece and I appear to be the first comment.
My curiosity about Vietnam continues. Though this essay only discusses literature, I must add as an American with no direct cultural or familial ties to Vietnam that it is simply a extraordinary, fascinating country--its history in the 20th century alone illustrates any number of themes still of great concern to contemporary studies including Marxism, colonial and post-colonialism, Buddhism, Confucianism, as well as adaptive strategies in relation to French culture. and on and on. The inspiring optimism of the people in contrast to their corrupt government is in itself rather astounding. It is telling that I am writing this almost 24 hours after publication of this piece and I appear to be the first comment.
53
I teach at a school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
A *second grade* teacher told me of a discussion he'd had with his kids after a unit on various kinds of governments: monarchy, parliamentary, constitutional democracy, socialist, etc.
A little girl, in the class made this observation: "If our country [Vietnam] were really a socialist country, there wouldn't be so many beggars."
Out of the mouth of babes. . . .
A *second grade* teacher told me of a discussion he'd had with his kids after a unit on various kinds of governments: monarchy, parliamentary, constitutional democracy, socialist, etc.
A little girl, in the class made this observation: "If our country [Vietnam] were really a socialist country, there wouldn't be so many beggars."
Out of the mouth of babes. . . .
13
Just as, if America were really a Christian country, we wouldn't have so many hungry, homeless people and those who can't afford medical care.
9
Susan Fitzgerald: exactly true!
We'd be taking care of *all* of our citizens, not just the top 1%, who, by all reports are doing just fine.
We'd be taking care of *all* of our citizens, not just the top 1%, who, by all reports are doing just fine.
3
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this piece. It opened my eyes to the one-sidedness of America's comprehension of the war, at least in literature. I don't know why that never occurred to me but it makes so much sense. I live in a city with a large Hmong population, many of whose parents and grandparents resettled here after fleeing the Viet Cong (who were pursuing them for helping the US). The stories they tell of swimming across the Mekong in the middle of the night, attached to each other with ropes, as machine guns fired at them, are chilling. But also fascinating. I will definitely add the books you mentioned to my list!
26
You are too American in your focus. You might read two beautiful novellas by a Vietnamese-Canadian, Kim Thuy. Their titles are Man and Ru. Suggestion from a fellow Berkeley graduate.
17
I much appreciated your article about the Great Vietnam War Novel. In preparation for a three week trip to Vietnam in the spring of 2013, I read many of the books you outlined. My favorite, however, was Mai Elliott's "The Sacred Willow" -- so beautifully written and so personal. Part of the reason I liked it so much is that she and I are exactly the same age, so I could relate to each period of her life. In addition, she married Dr. David Elliott and eventually moved to Claremont, CA where he became a professor at Pomona College, my alma mater. Small world! --Susan Self
14
Thank you for writing this! I am always looking for titles to broaden my literary horizons and I will add some of these authors to my reading list.
American ignorance of Vietnamese history, culture and politics helped draw the United States into a war and a country that it did not comprehend. - The current president is a good example of shallow understanding and ignorance. He doesn't even have sense enough to be ashamed of his lack of knowledge.
American ignorance of Vietnamese history, culture and politics helped draw the United States into a war and a country that it did not comprehend. - The current president is a good example of shallow understanding and ignorance. He doesn't even have sense enough to be ashamed of his lack of knowledge.
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I don't often read Comments, but I appreciated this original article for its comprehensiveness and have been interested to learn more, about the writer's own and others' works. I'm reading the NYT Headlines items on Viet Nam because I have a friend, Laura Lam (with whom I share them) who is Vietnamese-American, whose own memoir, Late Blossom: Memories of life, loss and love in Viet Nam, I have read. From her I first heard the term, the American war, which in itself taught me something important about other perspectives. A recent documentary on British Tv highlighted the continuing devastation caused by Agent Orange, both environmentally and now into three generations of birth defects, with my country America's shunning of responsibility for funding the cost of people's care, education and restoration of land, causes me to despair of our vaunted role in the world, which I see as largely misguided and destructive overall. See what you think if you're able to watch The Coming War On China, by John Pilger.